The Centre looks after documents and printed materials spanning more than 900 years, including records of births, deaths and marriages from 1837 and copies of several thousand Hertfordshire wills.

Staff are on hand to help local historians, academics, students and individuals wanting to research the history of the county but they now offer research facilities that can be booked and paid for via e-mail hals@hertscc.gov.uk

The council says that a major benefit of the new e-mail research service is that people from the other side of the world can request information at any time on any day. In 1998 the centre handled more than 21,000 requests for information many from overseas. More details can be found at the centre's Website.

The increased demand has enabled the Family History Centre to reduce its prices, which start at £1 an hour or £2.50 for half a day visit to the County Hall site. Season tickets, which cover 20 half-day visits, are £20. Research services are available for £22 an hour. Payment can be made by e-mail using a credit card. Opening hours have been extended to include Saturday mornings and until 8.00pm on Tuesdays.

For people who do not have internet facilities but want to find out how to use the Web to research their past, a free introductory session on the internet can be booked at the Family History Centre as part of the BBC’s Webwise campaign.

The centre and is based at County Hall in Hertford and was set up in 1997 as part of Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies.

The Hertfordshire Family History Centre
Archives and Local studies
County Hall,
Hertford,
SGH13 8EJ
Tel: 01992 555105
Email: hals@hertscc.gov.uk
Website: http://hertslib.hertscc.gov.uk

Opening times: