Worcestershire Record Office

Worcestershire Record Office is located in Worcester, England. It is part of the Heritage Services Division of the Adult and Community Services Directorate of Worcestershire County Council. The Worcestershire Record Office comprises three branches, two of which are open to the public: the County Hall branch and the Worcestershire Library & History Centre (or History Centre branch). The Corporate Information Management Unit is concerned with the management of records produced by Worcestershire County Council staff and is only open for use by members of the council. The record office collects, preserves and makes available records relating to the history of Worcestershire and its residents, dating from the 12th Century to the 21st Century.

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History

Worcestershire Record Office opened in 1947, situated at the Shire Hall in Worcester city. In the mid-1950’s additional space was added with the acquisition of the St. Helen’s church. In 1985 the Record Office moved to a purpose-built building located on the County Hall campus in Worcester. In 2001 the branch at St Helen’s was closed and moved to the History Centre, on Trinity Street in the city. In 2011 the Record Office and the History Centre are due to move to a new purpose built Worcester Library and History Centre, which will house:

* The Worcester City Library

* The University Library

* The Worcestershire Record Office
* The Worcestershire County Historic Environment & Archaeology Service

* The Worcester Customer Service Centre

Branches

The Worcestershire Record Office comprises two public branches:

County Hall Branch

The County Hall branch, otherwise known as the Record Office Headquarters branch holds original records available for consultation by the public.

Records available

Amongst the original records held at the County Hall Branch are:

* Administrative archives of the present and former County and some districts.

* Petty Sessions and other official records such as those of Coroners, some hospitals and poor law unions.

* Quarter Sessions records dating back to 1590.

* The extensive Worcestershire Photographic Survey.

* Records of the Diocese of Worcester.

* Ecclesiastical and Non-conformist records.

* Estate and family papers.

* School records.

* Maps and plans.

* Records of groups, societies and businesses in Worcestershire.

* The Worcester City Archives

* Croome collection - the archive of the Earls of Coventry

Visiting

It is not necessary to book a visit to the Record Office in advance, although some records require prior ordering to be consulted.

To consult original documents searchers need to be members of CARN (County Archive Research Network). A CARN ticket can be acquired on production of any proof of I.D. that includes the searchers address.

The Record Office is accessible by public transport. The Number 44 bus service direct from Worcester City Centre stops outside the Record Office.

The Record Office is fully accessible to wheelchair users and includes disabled toilet facilities.

Address

The address for the Worcestershire Record Office County Hall branch is: Record Office, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2NP.

History Centre Branch

Worcestershire History Centre does not hold original records; most resources are on microfilm and are self-service. The History Centre is the most appropriate branch for family historians to visit, although there are also sources available for some local history research.

ources Available

* Census returns.

* Access to Ancestry.co.uk.

* Local maps

* Trade and clerical directories

* Local newspapers.

* Parish and non-conformist records

* Wills and other probate records

* Cemetery and crematoria records

* International Genealogical Index

* General Register Office index of births, marriages and deaths

* The Worcestershire Photographic Survey

There are also various CD-ROM packages available for use. In addition to microfilm sources, the History Centre houses a countywide selection of local and family history books. These books are for reference only.

The Centre is equipped with 16 Internet computers, which are available for the public to use for free. A Worcestershire library card is required to access the computers.

Visiting

The History Centre is equipped with 44 microfilm/fiche readers, though it is still advisable to book in advance of a visit. Use of the CD-ROM packages or the Internet can be booked by searchers on the day of visit. It is possible to visit without booking in advance, although accommodation cannot be guaranteed.

There is no car park at the History Centre but there are several car parks available in the city centre. The History Centre is situated close to the Crowngate bus station and the closest railway station is Worcester Foregate Street, about 5 minutes walk away. The History Centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users and includes disabled toilet facilities.

Address

The address for the Worcestershire Record Office History Centre branch is: Worcestershire Library & History Centre, Trinity Street, Worcester, WR1 2PW.

Opening Hours

These opening hours apply to both the County Hall branch and the History Centre branch of the Record Office.

Monday 9.30am - 7.00pm

Tuesday 9.30am - 5.30pm

Wednesday 9.30am - 5.30pm

Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm

Friday 9.30am - 7.00pm

Saturday 9.30am - 4.00pm

External links

* [http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wcc-records Worcestershire Record Office]

References

NCA: The National Council on Archives, "Public Services Quality Group Report", 2007 [http://www.ncaonline.org.uk/materials/performance_measures.pdf]

Archon Directory of United Kingdom Archive Repositories [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/searches/locresult_details.asp?LR=45]