A welcome to the Leeds Diocesan Archives from the Diocesan Archivist 

The following pages contain information about the Diocesan Archives, the department's purpose and how to access the collections.

The Leeds Diocesan Archives were established in 1958 by Bishop Dwyer.From 1958 until his retirement in 2005 the Diocesan Archivist was  the late Mgr George Bradley RIP.

As well as assisting in the present-day administration of the Diocese, the archives have long been a rich source of material for historians. A significant part of the collection pre-dates the creation of the Diocese of Leeds in 1878 and derives from the Diocese of Beverley (1850-78) and the earlier Northern and Yorkshire Districts (1688-1850). Anyone  with an interest  in the history of the Diocese or the development of the Catholic Church in the north of England over the past two hundred years will find much to interest them in the records held by the Leeds Docesan Archives.

The following sections  will give you an idea of the kind of material in the  collections at the present time and details of the facilities available to  researchers.

I hope that you will find this an informative and interesting aspect of the pastoral activity of the Diocese of Leeds.

Robert Finnigan, Diocesan Archivist

Opposite: One of JH Eastwood's drawings for the new Saint Anne's Cathedral, which was completed in 1904.