Accessibility statement

Searching service

Our searching service is available to help you carry out research if you are unable to visit us. Our work may include looking in records on your behalf, and creating limited transcriptions and translations of content. Please contact us to discuss your research interests. 

Research is completed by our trained staff who are knowledgeable about the contents of our holdings and aim to deliver a high quality research report using the original records that we hold.

We undertake research in a wide variety of our archives. However, please note we do not offer research using material held in other archives.

We do not use subscription genealogical web sites, with the exception of Findmypast who offer online access to many of our probate indexes.

If you would like us to search for information in the archives we hold please print out our request form, fill them in, and return them to us with the minimum fee (£15). Alternatively, you can also submit your request through the new general Copying and Research Service Request form by selecting the product "Research Service request" and providing details.

Request Form

Copying and Research Service Request form

If you would like some advice on how to approach your research please contact us.

Please see our guidance on what makes a good research request before applying.

You might also find the pages relating to our holdings and research guides helpful for ideas on what we hold and how to form your questions.

Please note that we will need payment from you before we can start work.