Last year about 5,500 people used our public Search Room to study many different aspects of County Durham's history. People use archives for a wide variety of reasons. For example, you could use them to check Council decisions, establish legal rights, view plans of your house, access official documents like court, hospital or care records, for educational purposes, business interests, to pursue a personal interest or hobby like family and local history, to investigate archaeological or environmental issues or research a book or tv programme.
You can look at the archives in the Search Room at County Hall. There is no charge, but please make an appointment before you visit as space is limited. At present it is advisable to make an appointment at least two weeks in advance. You can make an appointment now by completing our
appointment booking form. We will e-mail you to confirm the booking. Alternatively you can
contact us by telephone or write to us to make a booking.
To help you find the records you need, the archives are described and listed in detailed catalogues which are available to view in the Search Room
or fully searchable online. The Search Room also has a small reference library of local history and basic reference works.
Our most popular documents (including parish registers, the census, newspapers, electoral registers and war diaries) are available only on microfilm. There is a self-service system in operation which allows you to make full use of all the microfilm material.
Copies can be supplied of almost all documents held in the Record Office, subject to the condition of the original, any restriction imposed by their owners and the rules regarding copyright. Copies of original documents are made by a member of staff. There is a self-service microfilm reader-printer for copying from microfilm or microfiche. You may be able to use your own digital camera, for a daily fee of £10. Please ask staff for details. Please note that you cannot photograph Ordnance Survey plans, tithe plans, photographs or microfilms.
