County research venues
County Research Venues
Also see associated page [National research venues]
County venues
A list of venues within each County:
For each CRO the website is listed on the relevant county page within The British Isles section.
Please refer to this for specific directions and opening times
Visting a Records Office or Research Venue
Most research venues require you to have a CARN card ( or reader ticket). CARN is an abbreciation for County Archive Research Network
To obtain a ticket, bring a proof of your identity, including name, current address and signature (e.g. Driving licence or household utility bill and cheque guarantee card) so staff can issue you with your free reader’s ticket.
Remember that UK passports alone are not sufficient as they do not provide proof of address. All ticket holders are required to keep to the searchroom rules at all times. These rules are to make your stay enjoyable and to ensure that the historic material in the Record Office survives for future generations. The record office reserves the right to suspend or refuse to issue a reader’s ticket. A full list of searchroom rules is displayed in each record office in reception, and in the searchroom.
Once you have a CARN card (or reader ticket as they are sometimes called ) they are valid at most research venues. Different venues have different systems- some collect your card and return it to you when you leave the centre, others require you to keep it about your person whilst in the centre. Bear in mind that all people using the research centre must have a card. (Some venues will allow people to sit in reception and wait for you but not all)
Take notes with you:
Takes notes with you on Paper, rather than in a book or pad.Some venues strictly inforce loose sheets only rule - and will not allow folders or even spiral bound pads.
Its a good idea to make some brief notes as to what you wish to research in Biro, as a heading for a few sheets. Once inside the record office, many will only allow the use of Pencils thus keeping the info that you started with obvious to you.
Take some spare sheets but dont go over the top- many venues will search you belongings on the way in and the way out, so dont embarrass yourself but trying to take in things that are not allowed.
If you wish to use camera - please ask- some venues allow the use of photography, others not. Some venues allow photographs of some documents but not others.Most do not allow the use of a flash, so eveluate the use of the photo without flash before you take it.
Mobile phones may need to be switched off, or perhaps silenced.If you should need to use you phone whilst in the Records office, please respect the needs of others and do so in the cafe or recetion area, not the search rooms.
Be comfortable. Some CRO's have air conditioning, esential for preservation of documents, so wear 'layers', comfortable shoesand clothing that is comfortable to reach, stretch and sit in. Wash your hands before you enter the search rooms if you can, and again if hands get sweaty- sweaty paws make for dirty docs! Pay a visit to the loo if you need to before you enter the search room- you may find half way thru a vital Fiche that the staff will require you to put the film away before leaving the room - very irritating!
Look around you at the other people - some will appear to know exactly what they are doing, and more than happy to help you wind a spool onto a fiche reeler. Some people will look as though they own the chair/the book/ the entire Records office ( woe betide you...!) But remember - they went 'for the first time' once upon a time too.
- enjoy
Bedfordshire
Address:Pilgrim Centre, 20 Brickhill Drive Bedford MK41 7PZ
Berkshire
Address: 9 Coley Avenue ,Reading,Berkshire, RG1 6AF
CARN card needed Some on site parking About a 20 minute walk from the station Don't think there's anywhere to eat or grab a drink nearby - they have a drinks machine and a place where you can eat free lockers and loos friendly and helpful staff
Buckinghamshire
Address: Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies,County Hall,Walton Street,Aylesbury, Bucks. HP20 1UU
Parking is a pain Finding the CRO is tricky - it's almost on the inner ring road close to "The Blue Leanie" - a modern blue-glass-covered building that leans
Cambridgeshire
Address:Ground Floor, Shire Hall, Castle Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AP
The County Record Office, Cambridge is located on the ground floor of Shire Hall and is very small and cramped though staff are helpful One mile north of the city centre and two miles from the railway station.
Disabled access is available. Please telephone the Record Office in advance of your visit wherever possible, especially if you need a parking space reserved, or you require wheelchair access; or else inform main reception (which is up a small flight of stairs from the road level) of your requirements upon arrival at Shire Hall.
There is limited parking in the visitors car park at Shire Hall. If this is full then the car park attendant will advise you of alternative parking arrangements. Park and ride is a good option
Huntingdon Branch
Located in its own building a short distance from the Market Square, close to the Cromwell Museum. There is free long stay car parking available at the Riverside car park, about 10 minutes walk away. This car park is free.
The railway station is about ten minutes walk away, and the bus station, situated next to the Library, is about five minutes walk away.
Opening times Closed all day Monday. Tuesday–Thursday: 09.00 – 17.15 Friday: 09.00 – 16.15 Closed at lunchtimes: 12.45 – 13.45
The Record Office is open on the second Saturday in each month, from 9.00 until 12.00 noon, by appointment only.
Appointments advisable before visiting. If you have not made a prior booking, and the searchroom is full, then you will be turned away.
A valid CARN readers ticket is required. These can be issued free of charge as long as you provide official proof of name & address (such as a driver's licence, bank or pension book, gas bill, etc.).
There are no drink or food facilities in the Record Office itself, nor is there a public area to eat your own food. However, there are many cafes and pubs within easy walking distance in Huntingdon.
The searchroom is at the top of a steep flight of 21 stairs. A newly-installed stairlift now operates alongside the stairs.
Cheshire
Address: Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service,Cheshire Record Office, Duke Street, Chester, Cheshire. CH1 1RL.
Monday 1.00pm - 5.00pm Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am – 5.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm 3rd Saturday in the month 9.00am – 4.00pm
By Rail:It is about 30 minutes walk to the Cheshire Record Office. Free Rail Link buses run from the railway station to the city centre. Bus Bus stations and Park and Ride services are also indicated on the location map. For Cheshire Bus Services tel : 01244 602666 Parking Please note there is no car parking at the Record Office except for disabled badge holders outside the office on Duke Street. Some nearby sites and Park and Ride services
You will need a carn ticket.
It is always advisable to make an appointment before visiting. Last orders for documents 45 minutes before closing daily; there is no lunchtime production between 12.30pm – 1.30pm. (It would be helpful if document requests are presented by 12.15pm to allow enough time for production).
Cloakroom provided. Lockers are available. No large items of luggage such as large briefcases, rucksacks or suitcases.
You should read the searchroom rules, hand in your CARN ticket and sign the register.
Staff at the reception desk will allocate you a table or microfilm reader. It is advisable to pre-book this.Some of the machinery is quite old.
Your CARN ticket will be returned to you when you leave.
There are toilets available, including a toilet for disabled people. Area set aside for the consumption of readers' own refreshments with a tea / coffee machine and water dispenser. There is a wide selection of cafes, pubs etc. nearby.
Cornwall
Address: Old County Hall, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3AY Situated in Truro, Cornwall Record Office lies in the grounds of the Old County Hall site and is clearly marked by a sign stating 'County Records'.
The building is constructed on one level for easy access and toilets and a seating area are available in the foyer. There are no refreshments available at the Record Office, but a supermarket and café are located very near by.
Wheelchair access tables are available in the searchroom but please contact us before your visit to ensure maximum assistance.
Truro Railway Station is about five minutes walk away. Local bus services operate from the centre of Truro to the Railway Station.
Onsite parking at Old County Hall requires a permit which can be obtained from the Record Office. Pop in and pick up a permit before you go and park. A small number of disabled parking spaces are available immediately outside the Record Office.
Need a valid readers' ticket/Carn Visitors will also need pencils, as no pens are permitted in the searchroom.
Lockers provided in the foyer. The lockers use a £1 coin which is refundable. Only notepads, pencils, laptops and cameras are permitted in the searchroom.
The Record Office operates a system of timed productions. These take place every 30 minutes and in order to ensure the smooth running of the service, we ask that a maximum of 3 document request slips are submitted per collection. Please note that productions are suspended between 12:15pm and 1:30pm. Gloves and other preservation aids will be issued with documents, where necessary.
Mobile phone or pager is switched off.
When you arrive you will be asked to sign in the visitors register
Laptops and Cameras -Laptops may be used at the owner's risk and a mains operation power supply is provided.
Photography is allowed subject to a small charge and the completion of a copyright declaration form. However, we ask that you do not use a flash.
Cumberland
Address: Cumbria County Council : Archives : Record Offices : Kendal Record Office
Easy enough to find but off site parking.
Offices themselves are in the bowels of the basement but very friendly staff.
Toilets available (free)
Cafeteria/coffee shop - not known but as it's in the town centre it's not far from those facilities anyway.
Derbyshire
Matlock Records Office
Address: New Street, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 16.45hrs. Restricted service available between 12.30 - 2.00hrs. . Open one Saturday per month.
Small onsite car parking facilities, plus roadside parking. Office situated on steep hill. Matlock railway station ten minutes’ walk. Lockers provided for personal items. White gloves provided. Advisable to prebook visit and documents required. Helpful staff. Toilet facilities available.
Devon
Devon Record Office
Address: Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, EXETER
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10.00 – 18.00 hrs. Open 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month (except Bank Holidays) 09.30 – 12.30 hrs.
31 designated parking spaces made available for visitors to Devon Record Office at the front of Great Moor House, access via Bittern Road. Local bus services to and from Exeter city centre and railway station.
CARN ticket required. Prebooking not required unless you wish to use microfiche reader. Lockers available (£1 coins required –refundable). Accommodation in search rooms available for laptop owners
Excellent facilities for disabled visitors including parking, ramp at entrance, toilets. All public areas in Record Office are on ground floor.
Plymouth and West Devon Record Office
Open Monday -. Friday, closes early on Fridays. Free car parking facilities in Clare Place, close to Records Office. Bus service from town centre and railway station. Helpful staff. Only one reader with printer available.
Plymouth Central Library
Holds a lot of general resources including local Parish Register films. Specialist Naval studies section.
Dorset
Dorset History Centre / Dorset Records Office
Address: off Bripport Road, Dorchester, Dorset.
Opening hours. Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 09.00 – 17.00 hrs. Wednesday 10.00 – 17.00 hrs. Saturday 09.00 – 16.30 hrs.
Limited car parking available, permit available from reception. Car parking facilities nearby and railway station 10 minutes walk. CARN ticket required. Pre-booking necessary should you wish to use fiche reader. Staff available to answer queries. Lockers available for handbags and personal belongings. Public common room for eating and drinking - tea and coffee available. Toilet facilities including access for disabled visitors.
Durham
Address:
Essex
Gloucestershire
Bristol Central Library.
Address: College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL
Opening hours Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 09.30 - 19.30 hrs. Wednesday 10.00 – 17.00hrs. Friday/Satuday 09.30 – 17.00 hrs. Sunday 13.00 – 17.00 hrs.
Bristol central library has a family history room upstairs. Holds copies of microfiche of local newspapers, census returns, street directories and IGI. Small onsite café but no parking. Not child friendly. Staff normally available to offer help.
Hampshire
Address: Fascinating town or, rather, city to wander round. Very close to the station. Free parking. Garden with seats outside the building. Quite large. Very helpful staff, and last time the archivist helped search for a registration. Refreshment area on top floor, tables, chairs and vending machine Winchester Records Office You need your CARN card to get in (Don't just show it on arrival at the foyer-reception and lock it in a locker, like I did at first! you won't be able to get any interesting original records out.)
Only a couple of readers with printers.
Herefordshire
Herefordshire Archive Service
Address: Harold Street, Hereford.
Opening hours: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 09.15 – 16.45 hrs. Wednesday 10.00 – 16.45hrs. Saturday (2nd in each month) 09.15 – 16.45 hrs.
Limited parking facilities for disabled drivers (3 spaces). 20 minutes walk from railway and bus stations.
CARN ticket required. Booking necessary. Disabled toilet facilities and lift to first floor searchroom. Refreshments vending machine (small change needed as 50p and £1 coins not accepted). Various cafes nearby.
Hertfordshire
Huntingdonshire
Address:
Kent
Centre for Kentish Studies: Address: Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone
Opening hours: Monday closed. Tuesday – Friday 09.00 – 17.00 hrs. Saturday (2nd and 4th of each month only) 09.00 – 13.00 hrs.
Holds official records including those of the County Council, parishes, and boroughs, as well as documents deposited by individuals and businesses Booking essential. Disabled visitor access. Laptops permitted.
Canterbury Cathedral Archives
Address: The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent,
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 09.00 – 17.00 hrs. Friday closed. Saturday (1st and 3rd in each month) 09.00 – 113-00 hrs.
Holds the records of the Cathedral, Canterbury Diocese, Canterbury City Council and of individuals and businesses of the Canterbury area.
Car parking facilities close by. Park and ride schemes available. Few minutes walk to railway station. Onsite parking for disabled visitors (advance notice required), lift available to first floor searchroom, TV scanner for visually impaired. Wheelchair accessible toilets available in the Cathedran Precincts. CARN ticket required.
East Kent Archives Centre:
Address: Enterprise Zone, Honeywood Road, Whitfield, Dover
Opening hours: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 09.00 – 17.00 hrs.
Holds material for the Dover, Shepway and Thanet District Council areas, including records of local authorities, schools, hospitals, businesses, families and estates, as well as microfilm copies of local census returns. No parish records held. Booking essential. Disabled visitor access. Laptops permitted
Lancashire
Address:
Leicestershire
The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland
Address: Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester, LE18 2AH
Opening hours: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 09.15 – 17.00 hrs. Wednesday 09.15 -. 19.30 hrs. Friday 09.15 – 16.45 hrs. Saturday 09.15 – 12.15 hrs.
Free visitors car park close to Records Office. One designated space for disabled visitor (please contact office prior to visit). Several public free/pay car parks close by. Bus service from town centre and railway station.
Toilet facilities. Disabled visitor access. Drinks vending machine and rest area near reception where visitors may eat and drink. Magnifying glasses may be borrowed from the searchroom counter. All microfilm/microfiche readers in the searchroom have magnification controls - one special microfilm/microfiche reader has greater magnification to assist readers with visual impairment. Guide dogs admitted.
Lincolnshire
Address:
LONDON (Middlesex)
Address:
Norfolk
Address: A pain to get to by public transport as its out of the city centre, though there is a bus service from the rail station that drops you on the roundabout nearby. It closes at 12.00 on Saturday, but many of the parish records are available on microfilm/fiche at the Millennium Library in Norwich, which is open all day. Staff efficient, but I didn't find them as friendly as other places.
Northamptonshire
Address: Records Office Wootton Hall Park Northampton NN4 8BQ
Not easy to find, but once you have, parking is free and plentiful. All on one level in a modern building. Not really walkable from town centre or the station. Helpful staff. No refreshment facilities. Lockers for belonging (staff provide a token for use). Reader card needed.
Northumberland
Address:
Nottinghamshire
Address:
Oxfordshire
Address:
Rutland
Address:
Shropshire
Address:
Somerset
Address: Somerset Record Office Obridge Road Taunton TA2 7PU
Telephone 01823 278805 (enquiries), 01823 337600 (appointments)
Opening Hours: Monday 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm Tuesday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Alternate Saturdays 9.15 am - 12.15 pm
Not within easy walking distance of the station but there are plenty of taxis. There is a small car park.
Appointments are essential and you will need a Reader's Ticket so take proof of ID. CARN tickets are acceptable.
Quite small and cramped and on one level. Free lockers, basic drinks available (make it yourself and put money in the box). Cotton or latex gloves (sold at reception) are required if you view original documents.
Friendly and helpful staff who photocopy while you wait.
Staffordshire
Walsall Local History Centre
Address: Essex Street, Walsall, WS2 7AS
Opening hours. Monday closed. Tuesday 09.30 – 17.30 hrs. Wednesday 09.30 – 19.00 hrs. Thursday 09.30 – 17.30 hrs. Friday 09.30 – 17.00 hrs. Saturday 09.30 – 13.00 hrs.
Onsite car parking facilities. Few minutes walk from Walsall town centre. CARN ticket required. No appointment necessary unless you wish to use microfilm/fiche readers. Staff knowledgeable and friendly– willing to provide guidance on an individual basis and help with the setting up of machines.
Suffolk
Address: Free parking. No refreshment facilities as such, but a table and a few chairs with drinks machine. Very helpful.
Surrey
Southwark Local History Centre:
Address: 211 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JA
Limited on street parking. NCP car park in Snowsfields. Close to Borough tube station, 10 mins walk to London Bridge rail station. Appointments not necessary, although advisable if you wish to use microfilm readers.
Disabled access and toilet facilities. No onsite refreshment facilities – plenty in surrounding area.
One FTF member has commented that they found the building very difficult to locate, rooms very cramped and although the staff tried to help, their knowledge was limited.
Sussex
Address: East Sussex Records Office, Lewes
Easiest to get there by train as nowhere to park nearby, be prepared for the steep walk into town.Always book a seat before you go
Be prepared for a long wait if you are ordering up items from the strong room The air conditioning keeps the room cool, so take a cardy/jacket even when it's hot outside There's not too many places to eat nearby mainly pricey coffee bars, so take a packed lunch. There is no where to eat inside the record office itself, although there are benches available outside, which make a nice place to sit and eat when the weather's warm & dry
Toilets are free as well as the lockers. Lewes is a historic town - if you have time visit the castle and if you have time for shopping, take a look at the second hand book shops
West Sussex Records Office
The collections include records of local government from the sixteenth century, the Diocese of Chichester and its parishes and those of businesses, families, estates, societies and schools. Also records of West Sussex hospitals, the West Sussex Constabulary and The Royal Sussex Regiment.
Full access for disabled visitors. Toilet facilities, lockers available, refreshment area.
Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Record Office
Address: Priory Park, Cape Road, Warwick CV34 4JS Tel: +44 (0) 1926 738959
Opening hours: Monday closed. Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 09.00 – 17.30 hrs. Friday 09.00 – 17.00 hrs. Saturday 09.00 – 12.30 hrs.
Limited on site car parking with dropping off zone and disabled spaces. Telephone in advance for reservation of disabled parking space. Wheelchair access. Pay and display car parking available near by. No appointment necessary unless you wish to use the GRO indexes. CARN ticket required. Free admission. Volunteers available to provide detailed information on sources and equipment in searchroom.
Westmoreland (Westmoreland is served by the Cumbria Archive Services, Kendal being the principal office)
Kendal Records Office
Address: County Offices, Strickland Gate, Kendal, Cumbria.
Opening Times: Monday -. Friday 09.00 – 17.00 hrs.
Limited car parking available, permits available from Reception. Kendal town centre 5 minutes walk. Railway station 2 miles from Records Officfe, taxi/buses available.
Wiltshire
Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office Address: Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.15 - 17.00 hrs, Wednesday evening open until 19.45 hrs.
CARN ticket required. Public areas comprise of three search rooms and a catalogue room where documents may be consulted and staff available to advise. Prebooking advisable. Limited parking spaces available at County Hall, two multi-storey car parks nearby. Toilet and lift facilities. Access for disabled visitors. Lockers available for bags and personal belongings. Refreshment area with drinks machine.
Documents are not produced from the strong rooms between 12.20 . 1.30 hrs, and after 16.30 hrs (19.15 hrs on Wednesday evening)
IMPORTANT: The office will be closed on 17th April 2007 in preparation for the transfer of the archives to the new Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Cocklebury Road, Chippenham. It is hoped that the new Centre will be open to the publick on 31st October 2007. There will however, be a reduced service for users of microfiche readers at Trowbridge Reference Library, and although staff will continue to respond to email/postal/telephone queries, no original records will be produced during this period.
Worcestershire
The Worcestershire Record Office has two public branches
Enquiries concerning the use of original documents should be referred to the County Hall Branch.
Family history enquiries should be referred to the History Centre.
Address: Record Office, County Hall,Spetchley Road,Worcester,WR5 2NP
Worcestershire Library & History Centre Trinity Street,Worcester,WR1 2PW
Opening hours for both
Mon & Fri 9.30am - 7.00pm
Tue-Thur 9.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday 9.30am - 4.00pm
Book to use the facilities at either branch.Plenty of search room assitants to aid in your searching.
The most appropriate branch for family historians to visit is the History Centre.
There is no car park at the History Centre Fully accessible to wheelchair users and includes disabled toilet facilities. There is a rest area with hot and cold drinks available. Bags in the lockers provided. Copying facilities are available.
The History Centre is also a distribution centre for records compiled by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Yorkshire
Address: North Yorkshire County Council: Local studies
Very easy to find but limited parking spaces. Very helpful staff. Free loos. Small coffee room for patrons usage and only a small donation requested.
Usual restrictions regarding paper, pencils etc and change needed for the print offs.
The East Yorkshire CRO has just moved to the new Treasure House
