The Archive Service has in its care documents which date from the fourteenth to the twenty-first century. These unique records are the raw material for evidential historical and family research. They form the written memory of the County.
Archives come in all shapes and sizes and include documents on parchment rolls, loose sheets of paper, bound volumes, photographs, maps and plans video and cassette tape and cd.
The record office has in its care thousands of records filling nearly two miles of shelving. They include:
- parish and non-conformist registers
- local government records - Quarter and Petty Sessions, County Council, Urban and Rural District Councils, Parish and Community Councils.
- records of estates, businesses, schools, hospitals, associations, families and individuals
More details of what we hold can be found on the summary of holdings link on the left.
Anyone interested in the records we hold is welcome to visit the record office.
Readers’ Tickets
Visitors are now required to have a Readers’ Ticket to use the service. Information on how to apply for a ticket, including what documents are required as proof of identity, can be found by following the links below. Please note two distinct documents are required.
Registering For a Reader's Ticket
About You
Reader's Registration Form
Opening Hours
Tuesday 9.30am -12.30pm & 1.30pm – 7.30pm
Please note that individuals wishing to use the Archive Service after 5.00pm on Tuesday need to phone before 5.00pm on the previous Friday to make an appointment.
Wednesday-Friday
9.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30am - 5.00pm
Visitors should note that no documents are produced in the half hour before our morning and evening closing times.
Research Service
If you are unable to visit the Archive Service in order to undertake research, we do offer a research service, for which we make a charge of £25.00 per hour. Anyone wishing to use this service is advised to contact us in advance with details of their enquiry, in order that we can estimate the likely cost.
Alternatively you are welcome to use a record agent. Contact details can be found by following the link on the left hand side of this page.