Archives are original records, usually of people, property or organisations, and often, but not always, hand-written.  There are many thousands of examples from the Victorian period.  Examples of these records include census returns, council minutes, diaries, letters, hand-drawn maps and plans, parish registers and other church records, school log books and workhouse records. For more information on these please click on the links above.

West Sussex Record Office holds the vast majority of archival material for the County.

'Local History Mini-Guide to Sources: No.14 Victorian West Sussex' (West Sussex County Council, 2002) contains details of many more sources for further research and has sections on the home, school, church, leisure, work, trade and industry, town hall, railways and transport, plus book lists and details of museum services.  It may be bought for £2-50 at any public library or at the West Sussex Record Office, or order it online.