Manx National Heritage Library & Archives

The Manx Museum opened on 2 November 1922 with Philip Moore Callow Kermode as its director.

The Manx Museum is partially housed in the original Noble's Hospital building. The site on Crellin's Hill in Douglas was bequeathed by Rebecca Noble, the wife of philanthropist and businessman Henry Bloom Noble in 1885. Rebecca Noble laid the foundation stone but did not live to see the building officially opened. The museum was expanded and was significantly remodelled between 1986–89 and a large extension included a lecture and film theatre, and an art gallery.

The Manx Museum in Douglas opened in November 1922 on the site of an old hospital. The library has been an integral part of the museum from the beginning, holding Isle of Man-related archival and printed matter. Our collections help inform on many aspects of Manx history as well as our archaeological, cultural and environmental heritage. All are welcome from general enquirers at our counter to those working on school projects, academic research, family history, media content, publishing and other purposes. Our subject matter is diverse and includes Manx language, genealogy, folklore, landholding, internment, politics and motorsport.

Access to our resources and assistance from our library team is free. Visitors will see multiple donation boxes and contactless pay points dotted around the museum given we are a charity but there is no expectation of donations in lieu of services.

The archives include:

• Early records of the legislature (Tynwald Court), judiciary and executive government of the Isle of Man.
• Some early public records including those from the Isle of Man Government Rolls Office and those known as the Castle Rushen Papers.
• Papers of the Earls of Derby and the Dukes of Atholl, former Lords of Mann.
• Land tenure records (from the early 16th century) and registered deeds to 1910.
• Probate records from early 1600s to 1910.
• Business records for banking, retail and entertainment sectors; mining, textile manufacture, agriculture (dairy farming), shipping and rail transportation companies.
• Correspondence and accounts of 18th and early 19th century merchants trading in the Irish Sea area as well as Europe and North America.
• Associational archives including friendly societies (Rechabites, Oddfellows &c), Manx antiquarian societies (Manx Society, Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society), sports and social clubs and charitable associations. Also the Isle of Man Employers' Federation and trade union archives.
• Private, family and literary papers, including papers of the Goldie-Taubmans, Drinkwaters of Kirby, Quayles of Bridge House, Castletown and authors such as Sir T H Hall Caine and Nigel Kneale.
• Papers of Manx clergymen, archaeologists and antiquarians.
• Internment records (the Isle of Man was used by the British Government for the internment of 'enemy aliens' during both World Wars).
• Records for the Royal Manx Fencibles.
• Ecclesiastic archives for the diocese of Sodor and Man from the 17th century; also non-conformist and Roman Catholic church records.
• Printed and hand-drawn maps and plans including Ordnance Survey, estate and landholding surveys and abandoned lead mining plans.
• Photographic collection from the early days of photography to the present day, documenting the Isle of Man and its people.
• Posters, prints, notices and proclamations issued during the 19th and early 20th centuries by the respective Lieutenant Governors.
• Moving images from 1914 to the present including tourist films, the TT motorcycle races and home movies.
• Sound recordings from the early 1900s to the present day, including the last native Manx speakers, general Manx oral history, music and public broadcasts.
• Dissertations and theses with Manx content