Research Service

 

Our researchers have access to a vast array of genealogical and other information – census returns, parish registers, indexes to births, marriages and deaths, family and estate records, Ordnance Survey maps, school records etc.  Whether you want to request a search of a 17th century baptism register or order a copy of a map from the early 20th century our research service should be able to help.

 

 

 

 

 

A search order form can be downloaded from the bottom of this page in either Word or PDF format.

 

Please print, complete and return the form with your payment.

 

 

The length of the search will be partly based on the type of information you are requesting and the type of available records.  You will be advised in advance of the likely timescale, though we cannot guarantee to complete the search in the estimated time.

 

You will receive the results of your research within 28 days.

 

 

You will receive a search report detailing all of the records that have been checked on your behalf (together with their reference numbers).  Microform printouts and/or photocopies will also be supplied whenever possible.  If this is not possible for copyright or conservation reasons we will supply a full transcript of relevant entries.

 

 

 

 

If you know the full document reference number of an item you may request a photocopy using the order form (available to download at the bottom of this page) and you simply pay for the copies.  If however a search is required to find the information then the £10 search fee is required.  For example, if you are looking for a baptism of Jane Smith in Sheffield, St Peter’s in Jun 1862 you need to order a search as we would need to search the film or volume for June 1862 (and there may be many entries) to find the one you are interested in.

 

If you are requesting a copy of document and you quote the reference number (eg MD 1629/5) then you only need to pay for the copying (subject to a handling fee of £5) as no searching of the records is required.

 

A list of prices is available.

 

 

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with the research service you are asked to write to or email Peter Evans, Archives & local Studies Manager, Sheffield Archives, 52 Shoreham Street, Sheffield, S1 4SP, email archives@sheffield.gov.uk outlining your complaint. We will do our best to rectify any problems.  However, please remember that we cannot guarantee that a search will bring results.  In some cases a search of the records may not reveal the information you are looking for. 

 

 

It is best to be as specific as possible.  We cannot undertake wide ranging general searching such as ‘please find all you can on the Jones family’ or ‘research the history of the cholera epidemic’.  What we are able to do is search for specific information.  In fact the more specific the information being requested the better.

 

 

No, we can undertake work on your behalf whatever your interest – house history, local history, site investigations, car licence register checks, and photocopying and reprographic services