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About this place
North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre is a museum and archive in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It stands on High Road near the town centre and is regarded as the main repository for archives and modern records across the whole council area. For local history enthusiasts and anyone tracing their family roots, it is one of the key stops in central Scotland.
What is the North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre?
The centre opened in 1996 as Motherwell Heritage Centre. In April 2013 ownership passed from North Lanarkshire Council to the cultural trust CultureNL. It combines the roles of museum and archive, and is rated as a four-star attraction in the Scottish visitor grading scheme.
What can you see and research here?
The core of the site is North Lanarkshire Archives. They collect and preserve the historical records of the area, covering Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Motherwell, Shotts, Stepps and Wishaw. Holdings include:
- records of the former burghs,
- cemetery records,
- poor law records,
- school records,
- estate papers and business collections,
- photographic collections from across North Lanarkshire.
According to one source, the material reaches back to the 15th century and continues to the present day. Using the archive is free of charge.
Who is it for?
Visitors are mostly local historians, genealogists and students. The local history team offers one-to-one advice on how to begin researching a family tree. People who wish to donate items, or to view objects from the museum collections, can meet curators during their regular Wednesday sessions at the centre.
Planning your visit
Staff recommend booking a slot before consulting archive material. The archive closes for a week in early January each year. Opening hours differ between sources, so check the CultureNL website or contact the centre directly before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Is the archive free to use? Yes, access is free, though booking ahead is recommended.
What kind of records are held? Among others, former burgh records, cemetery registers, school records, estate and business papers, and photographs from across the region.
Can I trace my ancestors here? Yes. The local history team gives one-to-one guidance on family history research.
Who runs the centre? CultureNL, which took over from North Lanarkshire Council in April 2013.
Where is it? In Motherwell, near the town centre, on High Road in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
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