Worcestershire Research Service

If you live too far from the Worcestershire Record Office to make a personal visit, or if you simply do not have the time to spare to consult the records yourself why not make use of our research service? This offers you the services of a very experienced professional researcher recommended by us.

A copy of the WRO Enquiry Policy can be found here  (70.77 KB).

Types of research carried out

Worcestershire records covered

These include:

• parish registers
• marriage bonds and allegations  (64.61 KB)
• wills
• non-conformist records
• bishop's transcripts (the diocese of Worcester also included parts of south and west Warwickshire)
• Quarter Sessions records, O.S., tithe & inclosure maps, census returns 1841-1901, newspapers, cemetery records
• vehicle registrations
• electoral registers
• trade directories  (10.38 KB)
• papers deposited by private families.
• the Registrar General's index of births, marriages and deaths 1837-2000
• divorce indexes  (9.36 KB) 1858-1958
• the National Probate Register of wills proved in England and Wales 1858-1943
• the I.G.I. for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
• the 1881 census index for all English counties and Wales
• the index to World War I casualties

How long will it take to complete the work?

Cases are dealt with in strict rotation. A reply will usually be received within 2-3 weeks and you will be informed if a response is likely to take longer, for example, in the case of a particularly busy period.

What will I receive?

You will receive a written report giving details of the sources searched, an account of the information found and suggestions for other avenues of research that might be helpful. Do bear in mind that the results of a search may sometimes prove negative. Information supplied is given in good faith and represents the considered opinion of an experienced professional researcher. Neither Worcestershire County Council nor the Researcher can accept legal responsibility for any further interpretation that may be put on the information supplied.

What will it cost me?

• Research is currently charged at £19 per hour (£35 for corporate clients) minimun of one hour.
• Photocopying is charged at 30p per sheet for A4 and 40p for A3 copies.
• Printouts from microfilm or microfiche are charged at 70p per sheet.
• Postage is also charged as is packing when no envelope is included.
• Proportional travelling expenses are charged extra.

Charges are reviewed annually.

Method of payment

The payment for the minimum search period of one hour must accompany the request for research. Where copying is involved an additional account will be rendered upon completion to collect the copying charges. Payment may be made by cheque of postal order made payable to 'Susan Campbell'. If you live outside the UK payment should be made by a cheque in pounds sterling. If you wish to make a payment in your own currency you will need to add at least the equivalent of £5 to the sum to cover exchange costs.

Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your letter and, if you live outside the UK, send three International Reply Coupons.

How can I ask for research to be done?

Mrs Campbell operates on the recommendation of the Worcestershire Record Office. If you are interested in using the serivce, please get in touch with the County Hall Branch or the History Centre, who will give you full details of how to contact her.