BGS Archives

James Flannigan, Fossil Collector of the Geological Survey of Ireland by G V Du Noyer, 1856The British Geological Survey was founded in 1835 as the Ordnance Geological Survey. It became the Geological Survey of Great Britain and Ireland (1845–1906), Geological Survey of Great Britain (1906–1965), and the Institute of Geological Sciences (1965–1984) before being renamed the British Geological Survey.

BGS Archives holds:

  • administrative records of BGS and its predecessors, which cover UK operations
  • administrative and scientific records of BGS, and its predecessors, covering overseas operations
  • personal papers of BGS staff and other individuals associated with BGS
  • personal papers of individuals or groups in related fields
Painting of the BGS archivesarchives.bgs.ac.uk

An online catalogue which provides access to information on items within the BGS Archives collections.

Archives awareness campaign logoArchive Awareness Campaign

The BGS hosts an annual archive awareness event to demonstrate the variety of its archive holdings and their value to science.

MemoirsBGS Archives Deposit Procedure

The BGS collects various archives from the public. Use this form to deposit your collection.

Ben PeachBritish Geoscientists

Online exhibitions from the BGS archives.

The National Geological Records Centre is recognised as a Place of Deposit by The National Archives and maintains public records material including field records dating back to the early pioneers of field geology.

If you wish to access any archival material, contact Enquiries to book a day to visit, and to give time for staff to identify and retrieve the material you require.

Contact information

For more information about our archives contact Andrew L Morrison