Isle of Man Public Record Office

Colour photograph showing His Excellency, Lady Lorimer, and Chief of Staff Hilary Leece in the PRO reading room with Archivist Rachel Johnstone. The group is viewing a selection of paper records, such as architectural plans, laid out on a table. Rows of PRO catalogues contained in red folders can be seen on the shelves behind.

Yesterday we welcomed Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer on his third visit to the Isle Of Man Public Record Office. His Excellency and Lady Lorimer viewed a selection of historical records relating to Government House, and caught up with the recent work of the team. #ManxArchives

Our Annual Report 2024-2025 is now available online: tinyurl.com/2mck7k47. The report includes a full list of all records transferred to our archives in the period, as well as other team achievements. Make a drink, take a break, and dive in! #ManxArchives

Black and white photograph showing a delivery truck parked half on the pavement, half on double yellow lines, outside Conister Trust Ltd on Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man. The building has sash windows and shares a Grecian-style entrance with the adjacent property. The truck, photographed from the rear, has 'Okell And Son Ltd. Douglas' painted on the side.

Black and white photograph showing two delivery trucks, one behind the other, parked half on the pavement, half on double yellow lines, outside Conister Trust Ltd, Finch Road, Douglas. Both trucks are loaded with wooden crates. The road is otherwise empty. Mona Terrace can be seen in the background.

We love these images of brewery delivery trucks on Finch Road, Douglas. Our vehicle registration records tell us that the Ford (left) was first registered in the Isle of Man in 1963 to Okell & Son, while the Austin (right) was registered to Heron & Brearley in 1966. #ManxArchives

This week's edition of #TithePlanTuesday takes us to Laxey Village in 1862. Shown here are the lands belonging to Captain Richard Rowe, Manager of the Great Laxey Mining Company. #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan #LaxeyWheel

Well, our closed week is a wrap! Records transferred; collections reboxed; stores cleaned; and catalogues updated. It's amazing what can be accomplished with truly great teamwork. #ManxArchives #LoveArchives

A public service notice from our friends at the Manx Museum Library & Archives.

Black and white posed photograph showing 22 men standing together in a field, mostly facing towards the camera. There a couple of houses and a line of trees in the background. The men are dressed in overcoats and suits, and all are wearing hats. Most are bowler hats but there are couple of different styles, and also two cloth caps.

In honour of National Hat Day, here is a fine gathering of gentlemen in... hats! We believe that the photograph (circa 1900-1905), part of a collection transferred to us from Manx Utilities, is connected to the construction of West Baldwin Reservoir. #HatDay #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

We'd like to wish everyone near and far a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The PRO will be closed Thursday 25th-Friday 26th December, and Thursday 1st-Friday 2nd January.
Advance notice: Our annual Closed Week will be Monday 19th-Friday 23rd January 2026.
Slaynt Vie!

This is so, so good. We doff our Christmas hats to you! 👏👏👏

Today, we're enjoying two of our favourite pastimes: examining old photograph albums in our archives, and getting hashtags wrong. #ArchiveElves #ArchiveAdventCalendar #IsleOfMan #ExploreYourArchive

Colour photograph showing very long plan unrolled to almost its full extent in an office room. The plan is supported at one end by archival weights and at the other, by a member of the Isle of Man PRO who is underneath the plan; only their hands can be seen.

Colour photograph showing title detail of plan: 'Plan shewing proposed new building line along Duke St, Strand St, Castle St'.

Colour photograph showing detail of plan in which the names of businesses and business owners can be seen. These are written in the spaces representing the properties ranged either side of Strand Street. Names include Lipton, Crellin, Quirk, and Holmes. Updates have been made to a number of names, for instance, 'Bucknall' has been crossed out in pencil and replaced with 'Strand Cinema'.

Colour photograph showing detail of plan in which the names of businesses and business owners can be seen. These are written in the spaces representing the properties ranged either side of Castle Street. Names include Curphey, Felice, Newson and Gore. Establishments include Heron & Brearley and the Falcon Hotel.

We're late to the #ArchiveAdventCalendar theme of #Shopping but we must simply share today's Very Long Plan discovery! Drawn up by Frank Cottle in 1903, it shows the names of all the business owners along Strand Street, the main shopping area in Douglas, #IsleOfMan. #ManxArchives #ExploreYourArchive

Image shows the front of a Christmas card reading 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'. It is simply decorated with sprigs of mistletoe and holly at the top left and a second small sprig of holly below the message. The lettering and decorations look as though they have been ink-stamped. The card is mottled with age.

Image shows sepia photograph of William and Dazine Hoggatt at home. It looks like a sun room or conservatory. One of the artist's landscapes is mounted on the wall behind them. William Hoggatt is standing and leaning towards Dazine, holding out what looks like an artist's palette. Dazine, seated, is looking attentively at the palette. She is wearing a hat and a patterned day dress. The photograph is within a corner picture mount display card which has an ink stain in one corner.

Image shows the reverse of the card with the handwritten message 'Greetings to you both... from "The Hoggatts"'. The card is printed with: J.H. Flower & Son Photographers, 15 Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man. Phone Ramsey 3044.

On today's theme of #ChristmasCards, here's a lovely one from William and Dazine Hoggatt to unknown recipients. The photograph within the card shows the artist and his wife in their home at The Darragh, Port Erin, Isle of Man. #ManxArchives #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Christmas #ExploreYourArchive

Black and white photograph showing the new Sea Terminal building under construction. The Douglas Head Hotel can be seen in the background.

Black and white photograph showing the new Sea Terminal building under construction. The end of Loch Promenade and Peveril Buildings can be seen in the background.

The Isle of Man Sea Terminal turned sixty this year! The Modernist design with its 'crow's nest' was in complete contrast to the Victorian structure it replaced. Our Harbours records span nearly 250 years, starting with the first Commissioners' minutes from 1771. #EYAAnniversaries #ManxArchives

Colour image of an 1875 Ballamona Hospital patient casebook opened to show detailed entries for two patients: Catherine Kelly and William Corteen. A small photographic portrait of Catherine Kelly has been pasted onto her case history page.

Archives play a vital role in ensuring that the lives of vulnerable people in society are not lost in the silence of the past. Pictured is the earliest patient casebook from Ballamona Hospital, which opened in 1868: tinyurl.com/4bxwcdnj #EYASilence #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

Scan of an original paper architectural plan showing the second and third floor layouts of Castle Rushen. The title 'Castle Rushen, Isle of Mann' is in Gothic script. All plan details are in black ink. The plan is noted as having been measured and drawn by Armitage Rigby and Frank L. Heslop.

Scan of an original paper architectural plan showing the layouts of the fourth floor and 'Eagle Tower' of Castle Rushen. The title 'Castle Rushen, Isle of Mann' is in Gothic script. All plan details are in black ink. The plan is noted as having been measured and drawn by Armitage Rigby and Frank L. Heslop.

Castle Rushen is one of the best-preserved Medieval fortresses in the British Isles. These circa 1904 plans relate to a major restoration project, led by architect Armitage Rigby, intended to return the castle to its 14th Century appearance. #EYAMedieval #ExploreYourArchive #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

Photograph of a corner detail of a hand-drawn plan showing a 'birds-eye view from Woodbourne Square'. Several streets of elegant detached and semi-detached townhouses with gardens are shown, surrounding Woodbourne Park (now Hillary Park). This is represented as a square lawn shrub borders enclosed by railings. There is a lot of surface grime on the paper.

Photograph of the same plan detail showing improvements made by gentle vacuuming and use of grated eraser. The paper is much lighter and cleaner, and the details of the drawing can be seen more clearly.

A little gentle cleaning can make such a difference to a record which has seen better days, such as this 1907 plan of Woodbourne Park Building Estate in Douglas. The beautiful artwork of architect Ernest Long now shines out! #EYAConservation #ManxArchives #ExploreYourArchive

Colour image of 1840 Tithe Plan showing lands at Ellan Rhennee, Ballaugh. The field divisions, land boundaries, neighbouring landowners' names etc are detailed in inks of various colours. The dimensions of each parcel of land (in acres, roods and perches) are shown.

Colour image of 1840 Tithe Plan showing lands at Ballakeoge, Ballaugh. The field divisions, land boundaries, neighbouring landowners' names etc are detailed in inks of various colours. The dimensions of each parcel of land (in acres, roods and perches) are shown. The land borders the sea, which is delineated in blue inks.

This week's #TithePlanTuesday comes from the parish of Ballaugh. In 1840, Ellan Rhennee and Ballakeoge belonged to James Wilks, son of Elizabeth Christian and the Reverend James Wilks (described by A.W. Moore in Manx Worthies as 'the ablest Manx clergyman of his time'). #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

While listing historical records of Douglas City Council, Robyn and Natalia unrolled the longest plan we've seen yet in our collections - 16 feet! Dated April 1940, it relates to the widening of the promenade and the construction of the sea wall at the northern end. #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan #Seaside

We've just had a most unusual enquirer in our reading room. We explained to the gentleman that gloves are not advised when handling paper records, but he angrily insisted on wearing his own. Very strange... #Archives #ArchivalPractice #Halloween #HopTuNaa

Colour photograph showing author John Manley holding a copy of his new book. He is in the reading room of Isle of Man Public Record Office. Behind him are shelves of books and a pop-up banner for IOMPRO. In front of him is a Ballamona Hospital patient casebook on a book rest.

Our congratulations to #IsleOfMan historian and author John Manley on the publication of his latest book, 'Ballamona Hospital: The Complete History'. The PRO holds extensive records relating to the former facility, and it was a pleasure to assist John in his research. #ManxArchives

Black and white photograph of men in formal wear seated around a dining table. They are all looking at the camera. The table is decorated with potted plants in polished metal (possibly silver) containers, and all the table linen is white.

Printed document containing a dinner menu, formal toasts and motions (all in red print), and two black and white photographs showing the Council Chamber in 1920 and the Old Town Hall on St Barnabas Square (date unknown). The menu is as follows: Deep-fried Queenies a la Rutland, asparagus soup, beef chasseur, raspberry pavlova, peach melba, cheeseboard, coffee & mints.

Our offerings for #WorldFoodDay are this 1914 photograph of an elegant Douglas Corporation staff dinner, and a menu from a civic evening held at the Rutland Hotel in 1989. The latter event was to mark the restructuring of the Corporation. Bon appétit! #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan #ExploreYourArchives

Colour photograph showing small orange plushie octopus viewing a volume of handwritten minutes. The volume is open on a bookrest and the octopus is seated on the table in front of it. He is making notes in pencil with one of his left arms.

In honour of #WorldOctopusDay, our mascot Orry is perusing historical Isle of Man Fisheries minutes to discover what local marine life was like in the past. #ManxArchives #ExploreYourArchives #IrishSea #ManxWildlife #Cephalopods

NOTICE: Our reading room will be closed Friday 3rd and Friday 10th October for our Heritage Open Days events: tinyurl.com/4szbxvm3. We'll still be responding to calls and emails on these days, and Thursdays are unaffected. Best wishes from the PRO Team. #HOD2025 #Archives

Public Record Office – Explore Your National Archives: Guided Tour Public Record Office – Explore Your National Archives: Guided Tour

It's our favourite time of year! Yes, Heritage Open Days are here again, and we're offering free guided tours of our archives. Book a place to begin your journey of discovery! #ManxArchives #ManxHeritage #ExploreYourArchive tinyurl.com/2vw3un45#Exp...

Colour photograph of a Tithe Plan of Ballagarey Farm dating from 1835. The plan shows the full extent of the land owned by N. Lockhart Esq, with the dimensions of each plot given in acres, roods and perches. The farmhouse itself is shown; it is close to the main road between Peel and Douglas.

Colour photograph of detail of the same Tithe Plan, focusing on the farm buildings close to the road. The owner's lands extend from both sides of the road.

As it's #ManxGrandPrix race week, this week's #TithePlanTuesday comes to you from a notorious section of the TT course! In 1835, Ballagarey Farm was owned by a Scottish lawyer, Norman Lockhart. This plan shows the usage of each field - crops, clover, pasture, and meadow. #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

Colour image of the cover of a file relating to diamond drilling. Diamond drilling was carried out 1956-1957 at various sites, including Cornelly, Slieau Whallian and Ballacorkish.

Colour image of a number of files relating to electromagnetic surveys carried out in the 1950s at sites including Sartfell, Granite Mountain and Old Flappy.

Colour image of a typewritten document titled 'Memorandum on the Present State of the Exploration for Mineral Deposits in the Isle of Man'. The document originates from The Island Exploration Company Ltd and dates from August 1957. The introduction lists the 'producing mines' of the 19th Century, drawing on two primary sources.

Colour image of index page relating to field samples collected 1956-1957. Locations include Windy Common, Carnagray and Glen Rushen.

#DidYouKnow there was an effort to revive the Isle of Man's mining industry in the mid-20th Century? Under Government licence, The Island Exploration Company carried out mapping, surveying, drilling and prospecting work until 1968. Find out more: tinyurl.com/37k7defv #Archives

Colour photograph of a hand-drawn plan titled 'Plan and Survey of Coopers Mill and premises at the top of Peel Harbour in the parish of Patrick belonging to the poor'. The mill site is shown as being on the right side of the River Neb with the mill dam immediately south of it. There is a ford across the river opposite the dam. A note at the foot of the plan says that this land was surveyed January 9th 1864 by William Kaighin.

Section of 1868 Ordnance Survey map (IX.6) showing Cooper's Mill. Here it is named 'Flour Mill' but contemporary sources describe it as a 'water corn mill'. The Rope Works are shown south of the mill dam.

Maps and plans help us to visualise places when physical traces no longer remain. This Asylum Plan shows us Cooper's Mill in Peel in 1864. The buildings shown here date from 1859, when the mill was rebuilt after a fire. #TithePlanTuesday #IndustrialArchaeology #ManxArchives

Image shows colour plan created in 1869 depicting a proposed leading light for the Iron Pier in Douglas. The plan is signed by John Dixon, Engineer and Contractor, and dated 16th July 1869. The plan shows the intended position of the light at the end of the pier, close to an ornate refreshments/waiting room.

A new catalogue has landed! Created by our colleague Robyn, 'Records of the UK Board of Trade: Marine Maps and Plans of the Isle of Man 1858-1982' comprises 267 records relating to works around the Island's coastline. Explore the catalogue: tinyurl.com/nnx5m224 #ManxArchives #SeasideArchitecture

Black and white photograph showing a distinguished gathering in front of Ramsey Cottage Hospital.

Colour photograph showing the first entry in the first minute book of Ramsey Cottage Hospital's House Committee, dated 31st December 1907.

#OnThisDay in 1907, the opening of Ramsey Cottage Hospital took place in, the Ramsey Courier noted, "delightful weather, in the presence of a numerous... and influential assemblage". Our collection of RCH records includes the earliest House Committee minutes. #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

Black and white photograph showing the fountain in the 'sunken gardens' on Loch Promenade in Douglas, Isle of Man. There are people in summer clothes sitting on the wall around the fountain. In the background, lots of people can be seen walking along the promenade or leaning against the sea wall.

While the #IsleOfMan is experiencing a moderate version of the current heatwave, we're still looking longingly at this 1957 photograph of the fountain on Loch Promenade. Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend in the sun or shade! #ManxArchives #SummerVibes #SeasideArchitecture