Angus Archives

Angus Archives Angus Archives is a treasure trove of 800 years of the history of Angus and its people.
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Our collections cover Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Monifieth, Montrose, and the rural parishes of the County of Angus. Angus Archives houses and preserves the area's written, printed and photographic history covering the historic burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Monifieth, the villages of Edzell, Letham, Friockeim and Newtyle, and the wider County of Angus. We hold burgh records and Angus Council records including school and poor relief records, as well as private records such as diaries, legal documents and plans. Whether you are a professional researcher, or an amateur family history enthusiast, you are welcome to visit the archives where you can search all of our resources free of charge. Unfortunately we cannot undertake research requests via Facebook โ€“ please give us a call to chat through your requirements.

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows Glengate viewed from the High Street. On the left is A. McCallum, a newsagent, stationer, and to...
10/03/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows Glengate viewed from the High Street. On the left is A. McCallum, a newsagent, stationer, and tobacconist. Part of the Kirriemuir Equitable Co-operative shop is also visible, formerly occupied by D. Young.

On the opposite side of the street are T. D. Mannโ€™s Boot Warehouse and the Wm Low & Co. shop, the latter shown with its sun awning lowered and a pram parked outside. c. 1950-1959

Angus Archives Ref: MS747/45/300

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We've just added the Farnell School admission register, 1914-1937, (Ref: ACC6/125/2/3) to our Angus schools index. A ful...
06/03/2026

We've just added the Farnell School admission register, 1914-1937, (Ref: ACC6/125/2/3) to our Angus schools index. A full list of indexed admission registers can be found below.

School admission registers contain the date of admission, date of birth of the child, name of the child, name and address of child's parent/guardian, the last school attended, date of leaving the school and reason for leaving the school.

Visit Angus Archives to search the index for your ancestors. Alternatively, if youโ€™d like us to check the index for you, message or email us at angusarchives@angusalive.scot with the name and date of birth of the person youโ€™re looking for.

Please note: Entries after 1925 are subject to Data Protection Legislation.

Arbirlot Public School, 1909-1938.
Bank Street School, Brechin, 1903-1925.
Brechin High School, 1913-1927.
Careston School, 1879-1896.
Carroch School, Kirriemuir, 1875-1967
Cortachy School, 1868-1939.
Damacre Road School, Brechin, 1874-1885.
Denside School, 1888-1934.
East School, Forfar, 1920-1935.
Farnell School, 1871-1937.
Ferryden East School, 1875-1935.
Folda School, Glenisla, 1882-1951.
Forfar Lower Academy School, 1895-1917.
Glenprosen School, 1868-1991.
Hillside School, Montrose, 1888-1940.
Keptie School, infants, Arbroath, 1882-1889.
Keptie School, seniors, Arbroath, 1875-1883.
Keptie School, boys, Arbroath, 1894-1911.
Keptie School, girls, Arbroath, 1892-1894.
Kingoldrum School, 1890-1917.
Kingsmuir School, Forfar, 1887-1928.
Memus School, 1880-1911.
Monifieth Public School, 1885-1894.
Monikie Public School, 1900-1926.
Montrose Academy, 1899-1908.
Murroes Primary School, 1890-1919.
Newbigging Public School, Monikie, 1898-1923.
North Links School, Montrose, 1909-1932.
Parkhouse School, Arbroath, 1876-1887.
Panbride School, 1900-1930.
Townhead School, Montrose, 1909-1918.
West Burgh School, Forfar, 1896-1937.

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๐Ÿ“ธ ๐—ข๐˜„๐—ป ๐—ฎ ๐—ฃ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—”๐—ป๐—ด๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—›๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜†! ๐Ÿ“ธDid you know Angus Archives sell copies of our historic photographs and negatives? From...
04/03/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ ๐—ข๐˜„๐—ป ๐—ฎ ๐—ฃ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—”๐—ป๐—ด๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—›๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜†! ๐Ÿ“ธ

Did you know Angus Archives sell copies of our historic photographs and negatives? From local streets and buildings to people, events, and everyday life, our collections are packed with fascinating glimpses into the past.

Perfect for:

๐Ÿ“š Research and family history
๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Home and business displays
๐ŸŽ Unique local gifts

You can browse our extensive collections of photographs at the search room, or access many of them on our online catalogue at https://angusalive.adlibhosting.com/search/simple

For more information, or to order a photographic copy, contact us on angusarchives@angusalive.scot or 01241 465563.

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๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows Union Street, Monifieth looking away from the railway station towards the High Street. Dated c. ...
03/03/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows Union Street, Monifieth looking away from the railway station towards the High Street. Dated c. 1900-1924

Angus Archives Ref: MS747/56/115

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  (27 February) in 1815, the foundation stone of the new Montrose Academy laid by Mrs Ford of Finavon. An alternative da...
27/02/2026

(27 February) in 1815, the foundation stone of the new Montrose Academy laid by Mrs Ford of Finavon. An alternative date of 15 March has also been suggested.

Built close to the site of the former Grammar School, the new Montrose Academy was funded partly by public subscriptions of ยฃ1,350, and ยฃ1,000 from Montrose Town Council. Montrose Academy was seen to have replaced the ancient Grammar School of Montrose, which had established itself during the 16th century and absorbed all other existing burgh schools in the area.

Pupils to Montrose Academy were required to pay fees, which funded teachers' salaries, however, poor boys were occasionally sponsored by local ministers or benevolent landowners. In the mid-19th century, a bequest left by John Erskine of Saint James Parish, Jamaica, to the sum of ยฃ3,000, provided education for eight orphaned boys.

In 1832, the Montrose Grammar School building was acquired by the Board of Health for use as a cholera hospital, resulting in the transfer of teachers to Montrose Academy. In 1841 the Rev. Alexander Stewart was rector of Montrose Academy, while James Calvert was rector of the Grammar School. It is evident that both schools existed as independent institutions but within the same building. By 1846, Montrose Academy had come to replace the old Grammar School, and it is mentioned as the prominent educational institution in the town.

Montrose Academy remained a burgh school until 1872 when it was designated "a higher-class public school" and the best in its region. This was because it was an exclusive fee-paying school, which provided higher instruction in such subjects as Latin, Greek, modern languages, mathematics, and natural science.

The 1872 Education Act transferred management of all burgh schools from town councils to elected school boards. Montrose Academy received ยฃ300 annually, on the condition that it admitted 25 free scholars by examination.

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๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows an advertisement for a production of Oliver! The production was staged by the Carnoustie Musical...
24/02/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows an advertisement for a production of Oliver! The production was staged by the Carnoustie Musical Society at the Dominion Cinema. Two performers noted as appearing in the show are Robbie McNab, who played the Artful Dodger, and Isobel Duncan, who played Nancy. Dated we. 17 Feb 73.

Angus Archives Ref: MS1206/87/4

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๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph is a formal outdoor portrait of the Brechin Fire Brigade. The men are gathered around the Dennis fire ...
20/02/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph is a formal outdoor portrait of the Brechin Fire Brigade. The men are gathered around the Dennis fire engine, registration number SR 5804. The photograph was taken in the backyard of the Fire Station on City Road. Dated c. 1926.

Angus Archives Ref: MS747/21/933

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Do you have any Angus related ephemera in drawers or the attic? If so, Angus Archives would love to hear from you!Epheme...
17/02/2026

Do you have any Angus related ephemera in drawers or the attic? If so, Angus Archives would love to hear from you!

Ephemera is anything that was printed for a specific occasion or purpose and wasnโ€™t meant to last after its original use. This includes theatre or matchday programs, event posters, tickets, business cards, leaflets, and many other items.

Weโ€™re looking to add to an Angus ephemera collection and requires any public donations to help us build it for the future. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact us at angusarchives@angusalive.scot or 01241 465563.

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๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Springfield Terrace, Arbroath, in the aftermath of a severe snowsto...
13/02/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Springfield Terrace, Arbroath, in the aftermath of a severe snowstorm. The snow drifts were up to 4 feet in depth. Dated: c. 5th or 6th of February 1895.

Angus Archives Ref: MS941/1/66

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๐ŸŒณ ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ฅ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐˜๐˜€ ๐˜„๐—ถ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—น๐˜† ๐—›๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€!Angus Archives offers Getting Started on Family History, a series...
11/02/2026

๐ŸŒณ ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ฅ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐˜๐˜€ ๐˜„๐—ถ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—น๐˜† ๐—›๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€!

Angus Archives offers Getting Started on Family History, a series of one-to-one sessions designed to support those beginning their family history research or seeking guidance with existing enquiries.

Each 30-minute appointment is led by an experienced Archives & Local History Research Adviser, providing tailored advice on sources, records, and research methods.

Sessions can be booked during our opening hours: Mondays (10am to 4pm), Tuesdays (10am to 4pm), Wednesdays (10am to 2pm, Thursdays (2pm to 4pm), and Fridays (10am to 4pm) at Angus Archives, Arbroath Library.

Appointments are Free and must be booked in advance.

Members of the public are reminded that access to the collections and independent research do not require you attend one of these sessions.

For further information or to book a session, please contact us:

๐Ÿ“ง angusarchives@angusalive.scot
๐Ÿ“ž telephone 01241 465563.

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๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows  a pend leading off from the West High Street, Forfar, across the road from the West Burgh Schoo...
10/02/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ This photograph shows a pend leading off from the West High Street, Forfar, across the road from the West Burgh School. Children can be seen at the school playground railings through the pend. The stairs lead to the upper floor of a house above what was once Bella Samson's shop. Dated: c. 1900-1949

Angus Archives ref: MS747/33/355

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๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐˜๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ปโ€ฆ๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฏ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ธ๐˜€, ๐——๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€, ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—”๐—น๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜€.Yearbooks and almanacs are an excellent source for family and local hi...
06/02/2026

๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐˜๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ปโ€ฆ๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฏ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ธ๐˜€, ๐——๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€, ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—”๐—น๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜€.

Yearbooks and almanacs are an excellent source for family and local history. Produced on an annual basis, most yearbooks contain a description of the town for which they were produced, along with lists of inhabitants by occupation and residential address. They also provide lists of town officials, such as magistrates, councillors, sheriffs, police officers, as well as details of clubs, societies and other institutions in the town. Directories and yearbooks can provide historical context to an ancestorโ€™s story and give researchers a better understanding of where their ancestors lived.

Researchers can access yearbooks at Angus Archives and Angus Libraries. We have the following valuation rolls available at the search room:

Arbroath Yearbook and the Eastern Angus Directory, 1895-1956 (with gaps).
Brechin Almanac and Directory, 1874-1941 (with gaps).
Brechin Directory and Yearbook, 1925 and 1959.
Carnoustie Directory (part of the Dundee Directory), 1929-1974 (with gaps).
Forfar Directory and Yearbook, 1885-1960 (with gaps).
Monifieth Directory (part of the Dundee Directory), 1929-1974 (with gaps).
Montrose Yearbook and Directory, 1884-1979 (with gaps).

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Address

Arbroath

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

01307 468644

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