Searchroom services
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Our searchroom is open the the public and admission is free. On this page you can find details of the services available in the searchroom.
You can find details of the charges we make for copying services by visiting our copying charges page
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| Searchroom regulations |  | |
We ask all searchroom users to abide by our searchroom regulations.
Searchroom regulations - pdf, 52Kb
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
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| Ordering documents in the searchroom | | Ordering documents in advance |
You may place an order to see an original document in our public searchroom, and we have tables dedicated to those viewing documents.
We do not operate specific document production times; all requests are dealt with as we receive them. We aim to produce all documents within 30 minutes of the request.
To order a document, you need to complete a document request slip (available from the searchroom desk) with the full reference of the document. You can use our indexes and finding aids to identify the document reference, you can also visit Warwickshire's Past Unlocked, our online catalogue.
We only issue up to three records at a time, and if the records contain many loose papers we may only issue one at a time to prevent the records from getting mixed up.
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You can order documents up to 24 hours in advance if:
- you know the full document reference
- you have a CARN ticket
To order documents in advance, telephone the reception desk on +44 (0)1926 738959 or e-mail recordoffice@warwickshire.gov.uk with the references of the documents you require (maximum of three), your CARN ticket number and the date and time that you wish to view them.
Please note: Please give us at least 24 hours notice of your order.
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| Photocopying documents | | Digital photography |
We do not have a self-service photocopier, all photocopying is done by staff and only at the discretion of the Duty Archivist. Not all documents may be suitable for photocopying, in such cases requests for copies will be refused. The cost for photocopies made during your searchroom visit is 50p per sheet for black and white copies and £1 per sheet for colour (these charges apply to both A4 and A3).
Photocopies will not be made if copyright will be infringed.
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We have a self-service digital camera in the searchroom, which readers are welcome to use. The camera produces colour printouts of images (standard photograph size), and the cost for these is £1 per sheet.
You are also welcome to bring your own digital camera to photograph documents. You will need to complete a copyright and data protection declaration form, which we will provide when you visit. In some cases the Duty Archivst may not allow photography if an item is too fragile. The charge for use of a camera is as follows: Daily permit - £2.50; Weekly permit - £5.00; Yearly permit - £50.00.
Please note: flash photography is not permitted.
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| Public computers | | General Register Office Indexes |
We have 7 public PCs in the catalogue and index room, which is adjacent to the searchroom. These have free internet access as well as access to many other electronic resources such as the National Burial Index. We have a subscription to Ancestry.com, which means that you can use this for free when you use one of our PCs.
You can print from the PCs, and the charge for this is 30p per sheet. All requests for printing go to the Catalogue and Index room assistant, so you need to see the assistant to obtain your printouts.
We also have a 'Warwickshire Images' PC, which you can use to view a number of photographs held at the record office and other Warwickshire institutions. A4-size images can be printed out from this PC at a cost of 50p per sheet.
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The General Register Office indexes cover births, marriages and deaths. These are available from 1837 to 1983 on microfiche for a charge of 50p per half hour. You are welcome to book anything from 30 minutes to a full day, please telephone reception (+44 (0)1926 738959) to check availability and book a machine. Please note that you will be charged for the time you book, even if you finish early, so it is a good idea to plan ahead and decide in advance how long you are likely to need. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your start time to give yourself plenty of time to sign in.
Please note: we cannot issue copies of birth, marriage or death certificates as we are not a register office. You can order certificates online from the GRO website
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| Digital reader-printer | | Microfilm/fiche readers |
We have a self-service digital reader-printer, from which you can print out images from microfilms and microfiche. The charge for this is 50p per sheet, and the machine is coin operated. | |
We have a number of microfilm readers and also microfiche readers. Many of our parish records have been microfilmed, and we also have the National Burial Index and censuses from 1841-1901 on microfiche and microfilm. Access to these resources is self-service and there is no need to book.
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| Library | | Record office volunteers |
We have a library in our searchroom, which contains books relating to all aspects of the history of Warwickshire, on open-access shelves. It is not possible to borrow the books, but whilst you are in the searchroom you are welcome to consult them.
You can search for our recent library accessions using the Warwickshire Library Service's library catalogue. Our less recent library accessions can be searched using the card index in our catalogue and index room. | |
Our volunteers work behind the scenes to help the staff with many tasks, such as creating databases, maintaining the library and listing photographs. In addition many of them help new visitors to become familiar with the searchroom facilities.
If you are planning your first visit to the Record Office and would like some help in finding your way around the office or would like an explanation of the resources that are available, then booking a volunteer is an option.
Booking a volunteer |
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