Archives: Wigan & Leigh are responsible for managing, caring for, and providing access to the Wigan Borough’s historic archives, photographic and local studies collections. Our services are managed by Wigan Council. The Archives Service is based in Leigh Town Hall, and Wigan Local Studies is based at the Museum of Wigan Life.
Wigan & Leigh Archives Online was developed by us to increase access to our collections, including historic photographs, archival records and secondary sources held by local studies.
The First World War database was made possible thanks to funding from the Wigan Council First World War Commemoration Fund.
Many volunteers from the Wigan Borough have helped to create this online resource. If you are interested in volunteering to help update Wigan & Leigh Archives Online, please Contact us to find out more or get involved.
You can find more information about the Archives & Local Studies services on our website at: www.wigan.gov.uk/archives
Wigan & Leigh Archives Online contains only a small portion of our archive and local studies collections and the photographic archive. Look out for more images being added soon.
The Borough photographic collection contains over 100,000 images and covers all aspects of life in the Borough. Part of our role is to collect new images for the photographic collections and new images are always welcome. If you would like to donate or loan a photograph for copying, please Contact us.
Photographs that are not yet available online are available to view at the Wigan Archives Service at Leigh Town Hall. Please Contact us to make an appointment.
All of the images on the website are provided in the first instance for private enjoyment, interest and study.
Images purchased in print or digital format from the website are provided for private use only and should not be distributed, reproduced, sold or published in any format, including on other photographic websites or social media sites.
If you would like to use any images from the website in a commercial or non-commercial publication, display or exhibition, or for use on another website, please contact the Archives & Local Studies for permission to do this. Fees may be applicable depending on the nature of the usage concerned.
Detailed terms and conditions can be found at the foot of this page.