Frequently asked questions

What are CARN tickets and how do i get one?
How much does it cost?
Where can I park when I visit the Record Office?
Do I need to make a reservation to use the Record Office?
What facilities are there for the disabled?
Do you issue birth and death certificates?
How do I start researching the history of my family?
How do I start researching the history of my house?

What are CARN (County Archive Research Network) tickets? 
We are part of the County Archives Research Network and CARN reader’s tickets are needed to look at original documents in the three offices. If you do not have one we can issue one on your first visit after providing us with proof of identity.  County Archive Research leaflet.

Where can I park when I visit the Record Office?
Bury St Edmunds has parking opposite the office at Shire Hall (c 500 yards walk); there is also a pay and display car park alongside the office. Ipswich has ample free parking alongside the office and in Lowestoft there is a pay and display multi-storey car park in the Britten Centre alongside the office and a shoppers car park opposite the library.

Do I need to make a reservation to use the Record Office?
There is no need to book to look at original documents at any of the offices although if you are coming from a distance it is advisable to ring in advance to make sure that the documents you want to consult are available. If you want to look at documents on microfilm or microfiche you will need to book a reader. Readers can be booked for a half-day (09.00- 13.00/13.00-17.00) or a full day, by letter, email or phone.

What facilities are there for the disabled?
All Suffolk record offices have fully accessible toilets. They also have induction loops on the main enquiry desk, motorised film readers and at least one public Internet computer with a large key keyboard. Bury St Edmunds has 2 disabled spaces near the disabled entrance to the side of the building, Ipswich has one disabled parking space but atLowestoft there are no parking spaces near the Record Office.

Do you issue birth and death certificates?
No; we hold registers of baptisms and burials, rather than births and deaths. Registrars issue certificates these can be requested from the  Suffolk Register Office. Our leaflet Parish Registers, Civil Registration and the Family Historian explains the different ways you can research your family history. Our page detailing websites for the family historian lists lots of useful contact details. We also run workshops in all three record offices to help and support research.

How do I start researching the history of my family?
Our leaflet Beginning your family history gives help on starting your research. We also run workshops in all three record offices to help and support research.

How do I start researching the history of my house?
Our leaflet Tracing Property History will help you to get started on your research. We also run workshops in all three record offices to help and support research.

Back to Suffolk Record Office