Londonderry Corporation Minute Books

The Londonderry Corporation was the historical municipal governing body for the city of Derry~Londonderry and surrounding area. It functioned as the local authority responsible for civic administration, public services, and local governance from as early as 1673. In the early 20th Century, the authority became known as the Londonderry County Borough Council which operated until 1969.

Many of the corporation’s minute books and other records are held in PRONI’s LA/79 archive. Derry City and Strabane District Council hold records relating to the ‘Freemen’, the city’s war memorial registers and many other records. For information about accessing these records, you can contact the Archive and Genealogical Service.

The council and PRONI have worked together to digitise the minute books and ‘Freemen’ records dating from 1673 to 1901, as well as the war memorial registers from 1926; all of which are available to view online.

About the Minute Books 

The earliest surviving Corporation minute book dates from 1673. PRONI holds the volumes dating from 1673–1841, while the remaining volumes dating up to 1969 are held at the Foyle Valley Railway Museum. 

Each minute book opens with the date of the Common Council meeting and a list of members present. The volumes record how the Corporation managed key aspects of the city’s administration, including the leasing of the quay, markets, mills and ferry. They also document decisions on public works, infrastructure, and civic order; including appointing officials and maintaining the city walls and streets, and overseeing public services.

You can view the digitised volumes through the attachments below. Many of the volumes are split into multiple parts.