FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Visiting the Record Office

Do I need to make an appointment?

Appointments to view original and microfilmed documents are advisable on weekdays and essential on Saturdays.  If requesting a booking via email, please allow up to two working days for us to either confirm your booking or to inform you if there are no places available on the date(s) requested.

When are you open?

We are open Monday, 2pm-5pm, and Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm (except Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and all bank holidays). We are also open on alternate Saturday mornings, 9.15am-12.15pm. To check if we are open when you wish to visit, please see our opening hours page.

Where are you located?

Please see our map and instructions.

What do I need to bring with me on my first visit?

If it is your first visit to the Somerset Record Office you will need to register for a reader’s ticket.  To do this you will need some proof of your name, current address and signature.  A driving licence is ideal.  Alternatively, a combination of a bank card and an official letter such as a utility bill would be fine.  Please note that we do not accept passports or ID cards. 

The Record Office is part of the County Archive Research Network (CARN) system.  If you have a current CARN ticket, please bring it with you.

Can I use a pen to make any notes?

In order to prevent accidental damage to documents we only allow the use of pencils in our searchrooms.  These can be purchased at the reception desk.  Alternatively, you are welcome to use your laptop.

Do you have parking facilities?

We have a small, free car park (including one disabled parking space).

Do you have copying facilities?

In many instances we can provide photocopies of original documents, though this is dependant upon the size, format and condition of the document (for example, we are unable to photocopy bound volumes).  Printouts can be made from microfiche and microfilm, and we also provide a scanning service. 

Can I use my digital camera to photograph documents?

You are able to use your camera to photograph documents (including pages from bound volumes), as long as you obtain a photography licence from us.  These cost £2 for a daily licence, £8 for a weekly licence and £50 for an annual licence.  You will also need to fill out a declaration form, which confirms that you will only be using the image for private research purposes.  If you intend to publish images or to post them on the Internet, you will need to apply to the record office, using our permission to publish form (new window).  

Do I need permission to use any images of documents held by you?

Permission must be obtained to publish any images or full transcripts of documents held by the Somerset Record Office, by filling in a permission to publish form (new window).  We advise that you make your request at least 5 weeks in advance of any deadlines you may have.  Depending upon the nature of the publication, you may also be required to pay a reproduction fee.

Are any of your catalogues available online?

The majority of our catalogues can be viewed online via our website's online catalogue.  The catalogues provide a brief description of the records held at the Somerset Record Office.  Images of the actual documents themselves cannot be viewed online.

I am unable to make it to the Record Office. Do you provide a research service?

 Yes we do.  Please see our research service guide.

Records that we hold

Do you hold records for parishes in North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset?

Yes we do.  We hold records relating to the county of Somerset as it was prior to local government reorganisation in 1974.  Many records relating to Bath are also held at the Bath & North East Somerset Record Office.

Do you hold army service records for people from Somerset?

All surviving army service records up to 1920 (including details of medals and First World War soldiers’ pensions) are held by The National Archives at Kew.

Enquiries concerning Army Service records for the period 1921 onwards should be addressed to the Army Personnel Centre, Historical Disclosures, Mailpoint 400, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX.  For further details, visit the Veterans' Agency website.

Do you hold birth, marriage and death certificates?

No.  The civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1837.  Copies of birth, marriage and death certificates can be obtained from the relevant register office.  A list of civil registration districts and register offices in Somerset can be found on the Genuki website.  Copies of the GRO indexes may also be held at your local library.   

Do you hold records that will help me in a boundary or parking dispute with my neighbour?

It is very unlikely that we will hold any records concerning the boundaries of your property or parking rights.  In the first instance, you should check any early deeds for your property or contact the Land Registry.  It may also be worthwhile contacting the County Council's Roads and Transport and Rights of Way departments.

Do you hold any newspapers for Somerset?

Copies of the majority of newspapers for Somerset are held at the Somerset Studies Library.

Do you hold emigration records?

Records relating to emigration (including passenger lists) are held at The National Archives at Kew.  There is an online register of convicts transported to Australia and Tasmania (etc.) produced by the State Library of Queensland. 

Do you hold coroners’ inquests prior to the 20^th century?

With the exception of the boroughs of Langport and Bridgwater, the earliest surviving coroners’ records we hold begin in the 1920s.  Newspapers sometimes provided a summary of the coroners’ findings during the 19^th century and early 20^th century. Copies of newspapers for Somerset are held at the Somerset Studies Library in Taunton.

Coroners’ papers less than 100 years old are closed subject to the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.  If you are looking for information from these cases, you should contact the relevant coroners’ office. 

Do you hold records relating to my ancestor who was evacuated to Somerset during the Second World War?

Records relating to evacuees are usually held in the county from which the individual was evacuated.  However, mention may sometimes be made to evacuees amongst the admission registers of Somerset schools.