Libraries, Information and Archives hold a wide range of archives to assist with family, historical or other research.  Sources include Council, Kirk and Court records of Dumfries and area from 16th century onwards. Also available are papers of local families; estates; businesses; clubs and other organisations; sasine abridgements and indexes; architectural drawings; motor vehicle licensing records; shipping registers and shipping records; monumental inscriptions; newspaper indexes; census returns; and old parochial registers.

Several core collections are indexed and there are inventories and source lists available.  These are available online.  A fee based research service is also available