1 – Gloucestershire Archives
Hereford and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust
Geological Records Centre,
University of Worcester,
Henwick Grove,
Worcester,
WR2 6AJ
Tel: 01905 542014
building.stones@worc.ac.uk
www.EarthHeritageTrust.org
Gloucestershire Archives
What we do
We gather, keep and share historic archive collections relating to Gloucestershire and
South Gloucestershire - and local and family history resources relating to
Gloucestershire.
The archives are kept at our main Alvin Street site in Gloucester and you can use
them in our public research room. The local and family history resources are spread
across Gloucestershire. The core collection is kept at our main site and area-specific
collections are kept at Local and Family History Centres based at libraries in
Cheltenham, Cinderford, Cirencester, Stroud, Stow and Tewkesbury. You can use
them in the relevant venue.
Who we are
Gloucestershire Archives is a Gloucestershire County Council service. We also
provide an archive service for South Gloucestershire Council. The geographic area
that these councils cover used to be a single county. Today, we call it the historic
county of Gloucestershire. Our main site is also home to Gloucestershire
Registration's copy certificate service.
What is an archive?
An archive is a group of records that have been created by an organisation or
individual in the course of daily activities but no longer needed by them for regular
reference. We look after archives because of their value as historical evidence. The
individual records in an archive can vary in format but each is a combination of a
medium and the information recorded on or in it eg single sheets of paper with typed
on handwritten text, maps, bound volumes, photographic negatives and prints, audio
visual recordings and digital documents/files.
How do I know what you've got?
Our collections include millions of records that have been donated or loaned to
us. They date from the 1100s to the present day. You can search the collection using
the online catalogue (http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/catalogue) which will
include details of where the items are kept and any reference numbers. There are
also lists of parish registers and non-conformist records available that can be
downloaded (http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/searching).
What should I do if I want to see something in your collections?
You are encouraged to order documents before your visit, so they can be available
when you arrive. Please give us at least 2 working days' notice to order up to 3 items.
For more than 3 items please give us 5 working days' notice. If we don't have
Registered Charity No. 1144354
Company Limited by Guarantee No. 7586089
Registered in England and Wales
2 – Gloucestershire Archives
sufficient notice we can't guarantee that the documents will be available when you
arrive.
You will need to know the reference of the documents you wish to order. You can
search for these using our online catalogue
(http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/DServe/DServe.exe?dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=In
dex.tcl).
If it's a publication that's kept at one of the Local and Family History Centres you can
drop in to use it during the relevant Centre's opening hours.
Details of opening hours and any upcoming closures
Opening hours
Closed
Monday
Tuesday
09:00-17:00
Wednesday 09:00-17:00
Thursday 09:00-18:30
Friday
09:00-17:00
Saturday
09:00-13:00*
*To look at original documents on a Saturday, please order them in advance.
Please note: The last trip to fetch documents from our storage areas occurs one hour
before closing time each day.
Closures
Gloucestershire Archives is closed every Monday and on public holidays in England
and Wales.
Car Park
There is ample car parking available at the Archives. Parking is charged at £3.00 per
day. Please drive up to the barrier and it will rise automatically. To get out you will
need to purchase a token from reception upon arrival. Parking is free for disabled
badge holders and volunteers. Please collect your free token from reception.
Registering
If this will be your first visit please let the receptionist know that you would like to
register. If you are already a registered member at Gloucestershire Archives, please
sign in the visitors book.
Identification
On your first visit you will need to hand in a completed registration form (see archive
registration form) and show us either a valid County Archives Research Network
(CARN) card or documents that verify your name, address and signature (driving
licence or utility bill and bankcard/passport). If you have used either Herefordshire or
Worcestershire Archives then you will already have a CARN card. We will use these
to register you as a Gloucestershire Archives researcher and issue you with a free
CARN card if you don't already have one. On subsequent visits we will ask to see your
CARN card as proof of identity.
Registered Charity No. 1144354
Company Limited by Guarantee No. 7586089
Registered in England and Wales
3 – Gloucestershire Archives
When you visit, we will swap your CARN card for an electronic pass card that lets you
access our public research room and use documents. We will return your CARN card
at the end of your stay.
Personal equipment
You are welcome to bring laptops, mobile devices, cameras and stationery into the
public research room. Equipment must have a current Portable Appliance Testing
(PAT) label if you want to connect it to our mains electricity supply . We offer free
portable appliance tests, which are done at your own risk - please tell a member of
staff if you would like to take advantage of this offer.
You can use a camera or mobile device to make copies of most original documents
and publications but this does incur a cost.
To protect our documents, please use pencils, rather than pens, whilst in the public
research room. You can buy these at our reception, along with notepads and other
essentials.
Please read our (Search Room Rules – separate sheet) before you visit and you may
find the Glos archive map helpful too.
Facilities
Gloucestershire Archives has the following facilities for visitors:
 Locker room for bags and coats.
 Customer Coffee lounge with drinks vending machine (at a cost of £0.60 per
cup) and free water dispenser.
 A staffed enquiries desk, where you can ask for help and advice during your
visit.
 Microfilm and microfiche readers. There is no need to book these.
 Public computers with access to the internet, including access to the Ancestry
and Find My Past websites.
Registered Charity No. 1144354
Company Limited by Guarantee No. 7586089
Registered in England and Wales