The records of Southampton City Council and predecessor local authorities are held in the Archives and date from 1199 onwards. These constitute an excellent series of documents, particularly for the 15th to 17th centuries, reflecting all aspects of local authority business.
• Town Administration: charters from the 12th century onwards; minutes from the 14th century to date (including those of committees); admissions of burgesses and freemen from the 15th century onwards; electoral rolls from 1834 to date; local acts and byelaws; Town Clerk`s papers 16th century to 20th century.
• Property records: Corporation deeds and leases 1275 to 1900; registers of Corporation properties from 15th century onwards.
• Finance and trade: town stewards`, mayors` and treasurers` account books from the 15th century to the 20th century; books of debts 1525 to 1619; petty customs account books 1426 to 1803; brokage books 1430 to 1566; Cloth Hall, Linen Hall and Weigh House books 15th century to 1601.
• Justice: court leet 1549 to date; town court 1374 to 1833; admiralty court 1488 to 1827; Quarter Sessions (rolls and papers 1622 to 1970, examination books 1571 to 1698, licensing 1698 to 1753 and 1833-1834).
• Poor Relief: rates 1552 to 1614; charities to 1837; settlements 1711 to 1901.
• Military: defence terrier 1454; muster books 1522 to 1589; militia 1820 to 1860.
• Parliamentary Taxes: various tax assessments (eg ship, hearth tax) 1523 to 1699 and 1711 to 1855.
In addition, the Archives hold records of local boards, bodies of commissioners and companies which later came under local authority control: next page >
Last updated: 9 November 2007
