Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

How do I use the searchroom? 

Searchroom Regulations (PDF, 37Kb) contains guidelines on how to use the searchroom, ordering and handling documents

Where can I park when I visit the Record Office? 

Details of parking can be found on the Contact Suffolk Record Office pages

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 (9.00am-1.00pm/1.00pm-5.00pm) or a full day, by letter, email or phone.  

Original documents cannot be produced from the strongrooms between 12.45 and 2pm on Mondays to Fridays, but the searchrooms will remain open, with full access to the microform sources and local studies materials held in the searchrooms.  Researchers will be able to continue to use original documents already produced. Orders for original documents must be received by 12.45 to allow the searchroom assistants time to produce the documents before 1pm.  

We operate a system of pre-ordering original documents for use on Saturdays.  To pre-order a document, contact the relevant branch by 2pm on the Friday. You may pre-order up to 12 documents per person. Ordered documents will then be available from 9.00am onwards on the following day (Saturday).

Original documents cannot be produced from the strongrooms between 12.45 and 2pm on Mondays to Fridays, but the searchrooms will remain open, with full access to the microform sources and local studies materials held in the searchrooms.  Researchers will be able to continue to use original documents already produced. Orders for original documents must be received by 12.45 to allow the searchroom assistants time to produce the documents before 1pm.  
We operate a system of pre-ordering original documents for use on Saturdays.  To pre-order a document, contact the relevant branch by 2pm on the Friday. You may pre-order up to 12 documents per person. Ordered documents will then be available from 9.00am onwards on the following day (Saturday).

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 1 disabled parking space near the disabled entrance to the side of the building, Ipswich has one disabled parking space but at Lowestoft 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 and these can be requested from the Suffolk Registration Office.  Our leaflet Parish Registers, Civil Registration and the Family Historian (PDF, 48Kb) explains the different ways you can research your family history. 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 (PDF, 46Kb) 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 (PDF, 50Kb) will help you to get started on your research. We also run workshops in all three record offices to help and support research.