Archives Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to book?
• Do you charge?
• Do I need a reader ticket?
• Can I borrow documents?
• Can I take copies?
• Can you do the research for me?
• Do you only have records for Herefordshire?
• How easy is it for people with a disability?
• Are your records available on the Internet?
• Can you transfer the records to my local record office?
• Are all your records available onsite?
• My question doesn't appear here, what should I do next?

Do I need to book?

Much of our most frequently used material e.g. parish registers, census returns, tithe maps are on microfilm and fiche. As we have a limited number of microform readers available we ask you to book a machine in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment. For more details of our film and fiche holdings please see the leaflet 'Microform Guide'.  There is a pdf version of this leaflet available on the 'Leaflets and Publications' page.  Please see the link on the left.

Please note that only one person can sit at a machine at a time so please ensure that you book the correct number of machines for your party.

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Do you charge?

There is no charge for looking at records in our searchroom whether they are originals or on microform. However, we always welcome donations that help us improve our service and facilities.

A charge is made for copying documents (where it is possible to do so), and for the use of our research service. Please see the 'Charges' page for more details (this can be found by following the link in the related pages box on the right).

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Do I need a reader ticket?

Yes. We are part of the County Archive Research Network (or CARN for short!) and accept blue CARN tickets (wherever they were issued). If you do not already hold a valid CARN ticket, please bring identification with you that shows name and current address (e.g. driving licence, utility bill, bank statement) and we can issue you with a ticket when you arrive.

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Can I borrow documents?

No. All material must be viewed in the record office. However, if you cannot visit our office to do your research yourself, you may like to use our research service.  Details of this can be found by clicking on the link to the right.

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Can I take copies?

Copies can be made of most of our records, including those on microfilm and fiche. However, some records are too fragile. For more details please see our 'Photocopying Guidelines' and 'Charges' page (these links can be found in the related pages box to the right of the page). If you are not sure please ask our staff for advice.

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Can you do the research for me?

Yes. Our research service can carry out short search and copying requests, or longer, more involved research.  For further details please click on the 'Research and Copying Service' link to the right. 

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Do you only have records for Herefordshire?

Most of our holdings relate to Herefordshire as this is the area detailed in our Collection Policy. However, we do hold some material for other areas of the country and some national records for family history enquiries e.g. General Register Office indexes 1837-1980, the International Genealogical Index and the 1881 Census including index. We also have a subscription to 'Ancestry' so members of the public can access this Internet site free of charge.

If your enquiry relates to another area of the country we can provide the contact details for the relevant Record Office, Registrar, Library or Family History Society, etc.

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How easy is it for people with a disability?

There are 3 parking spaces for blue badge holders in our carpark, and we have automatic doors to our entrance. There is also an accessible toilet available, and a loop system installed in our searchroom.

A lift is available for those searchers who cannot climb the stairs to our first floor searchroom.

Many of the records have small writing or faded ink and can be difficult to read. We have magnifying glasses and ultraviolet lamps available to help you to read them. We are also beginning to produce large print leaflets. Please contact us in advance of your visit if you have any particular needs so that we can ensure that we make your visit as comfortable as possible.

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Are your records available on the Internet?

The records themselves are not on the Internet, however, many of our catalogues - including those for parish registers, are available and can be searched on-line. See the a2a (Access to Archives) link in the box to the right.

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Can you transfer the records to my local Record Office?

No. Archives are not transferred to other offices for viewing. If you are unable to visit our office to look at the records, you may like to use our Research Service. More details can be found by following the link to the 'Research and Copying Service' page on the right.

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Are all your records available onsite?

Please note that some collections are now held offsite and need to be requested in advance. Please check on the Offsite Holdings page (see link on right in Related Pages box) to see if this includes a collection that you wish to consult.

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My question doesn't appear here, what should I do next?

If your question has not been answered by the information on this website, please contact us. Email archives@herefordshire.gov.uk or see our full contact details on the right.

We will do our best to help you and aim to answer all enquiries within 15 working days. We look forward to hearing from you!

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