Introduction
Before you visit WYAS offices
Visiting WYAS offices
If you cannot visit in person
West Yorkshire Archive Service has five offices:
Which office should I visit?
Copies of most registers of baptisms, marriages and burials (the most frequently requested sources for family historians) are available on microfiche at each of our offices in Bradford, Calderdale (Halifax), Kirklees (Huddersfield), Leeds and Wakefield, and at the Yorkshire Archaeological Society.
If you wish to view original archival material you will need to visit the office where the documents are held. There is an Archive Service office in each West Yorkshire Metropolitan District, in Bradford, Calderdale (Halifax), Kirklees (Huddersfield), Leeds and Wakefield. The Wakefield office also houses records of the former West Riding County Council and West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council.
You can check the location of archives on our online catalogue. Further detail about the holdings of the Archive Service can also be found on this web site and in our Collection Guides. Please contact us if you require help, and staff will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Visit Us Bradford - locations and opening hours
Visit Us Calderdale - locations and opening hours
Visit Us Kirklees - locations and opening hours
Visit Us Leeds - locations and opening hours
Visit Us Wakefield and the West Riding Registry of Deeds - locations and opening hours
Before you visit West Yorkshire Archive Service offices
Before you visit the West Riding Registry of Deeds
Getting around - Access to buildings
Booking spaces in the searchrooms
Before you visit West Yorkshire Archive Service offices
We hope you enjoy your visit.
The following tips will help you prepare for your visit and get the most of your time with us:
• Before your visit gather as much information as possible and bring copies of relevant documents to help staff advise you.
• Think about the questions you want to ask.
• Leave plenty of time for your visit as identifying the records you need and searching for the information can take longer than you think.
You can use our archives free of charge. The only charges we make are for certain extra services such as copying.
How to find us and Opening Hours
You will find details of the location, opening hours and contact details of our offices along with information on local transport facilities and parking for each offices here: Bradford, Calderdale (Halifax), Kirklees (Huddersfield), Leeds and Wakefield.
Getting around - Access to West Yorkshire Archive Service buildings
West Yorkshire Archive Service has two buildings which do not provide easy access for people with mobility difficulties; Leeds and Wakefield.
We are making some changes which will help and we are also working on longer-term plans for archive service accommodation. However we recognise that the short-term alterations will not help everyone.
If you are researching Family History, access to fiche and film copies of widely-used Family History sources for West Yorkshire are available at several local libraries. Information on which libraries and what they hold will be made available on our website.
If you are researching other topics and need access to different records normally housed at Leeds or Wakefield we propose the following options:
• Photocopies / digital copies of sources. This will depend on the size, fragility and number of the records you need to use. Subject to copyright, we will provide up to ten copies / images free of charge.
• Temporary transfer of relevant sources to our offices at Bradford, Calderdale or Kirklees or alternatively our site at Morley which are all easily accessible. Staff at the office holding the records will help you identify the sources you will need and will help you to make an appointment at Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees or Morley. The records will be transferred for a maximum of one month from the date of your first appointment to use them. We reserve the right not to transfer any item which is too fragile to be transported. We cannot transfer registers from the Registry of Deeds at Wakefield.
The temporary transfer arrangement is not available to any researcher who can normally gain access to the office which houses the records.
Booking spaces in the searchrooms
Avoid disappointment! – contact us before your visit.
• We don’t want you to turn up to find that we have no room for you, we don’t have the records you are interested in or that the items you require are not available so it is always advisable to talk to us before your visit.
• Bookings can be made by letter, e-mail or telephone.
• We will advise you on what we have available and whether to reserve a table or microform reader, depending on the records you want to consult. If you would like to visit within the next day or two please telephone.
• If you arrive without having made a booking we will make every effort to accommodate you, but cannot always guarantee that we will have space for you.
• Please bear in mind that some records are stored off-site and we may require 3 to 5 days notice to make them available.
If you have never visited us before, why not just come in to browse our catalogues and indexes? Staff will be happy to help you find your way around and you will be better prepared for your next visit.
Our searchrooms have the following seating spaces for users of original documents and microform readers:
• At Bradford we have 2 microfiche readers and 8 spaces for the consultation of original documents.
Microfiche of church registers are available in Bradford Local Studies Library. LINK BLSL
• At Calderdale we have 2 microfilm readers, 3 microfiche readers and 8 spaces for the consultation of original documents.
Further fiche / film readers are available in Calderdale Reference Library. LINK CRL
• At Kirklees we have 4 spaces for consultation of original documents.
Microfiche of church registers are available in Kirklees Local Studies Library. LINK KLSL
• At Leeds we have 1 microfilm reader, 4 microfiche readers and 10 spaces for the consultation of original documents.
• At Wakefield in the general searchroom we have 1 microfilm reader, 10 microfiche readers and 12 spaces for the consultation of original documents.
• At Wakefield In the Registry of Deeds searchroom we have 6 spaces for the consultation of deeds volumes.
There are tables for the consultation of large documents and maps in all of our searchrooms. However when these are in use the spaces for the consultation of standard sized documents are reduced.
Facilities at archive offices
If you have not visited before, the following information gives you an idea of what to expect when you visit:
On arrival at the office you will need to sign the Visitors Book to say you will follow the Searchroom guidelines.
You will need to bring your CARN readers’ ticket with you when you visit:
• Registering for a CARN ticket
We are now members of the County Archive Research Network (CARN) readers’ ticket scheme.. If you do not have a ticket please bring official proof of ID which includes your name address and signature. Further information on CARN
We will keep your readers ticket whilst you are in the searchroom.
• Lockers
At Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield please leave your coat and bag in a locker.
• Using laptop computers
You are welcome to use your laptop computer in the searchrooms but please tell us in advance if you wish to use an electrical socket. For further information on using lap tops.
• Pencils
Please bring a pencil, as pens cannot be used in our searchrooms. For more information on the guidelines we ask you to follow in our searchrooms see Searchroom guidelines
• Toilets
There are public toilets at all of our buildings.
• Refreshments
Rest areas are available at Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield for the consumption of your own refreshments, to talk and make or receive mobile telephone calls.
Please contact individual offices for information on local cafes, pubs etc.
• For details of places to stay contact The Yorkshire Tourist Board
Registering for a CARN ticket
We are now members of the County Archive Research Network (CARN) readers’ ticket scheme. You will need to sign the Visitors Book and bring your CARN readers’ ticket with you when you visit. If you do not have a ticket please bring official proof of ID which includes your name address and signature.
What form of identity will I need?
They must include your name, address and signature. One or more of the documents listed below can be used e.g. a utility bill (for address) with a passport (for signature)
• Driving Licence
• Building society passbook, post office savings book or recent bank statement
• Pension book
• Medical card
• Disable person’s registration
• Recent council tax or utility bill
• Current benefit book
• UB40 (or equivalent)
• Official letter
• Passport
• Cheque guarantee card (proof of signature only)
• Official I.D. card with address and signature
What is CARN?
CARN is a national scheme to provide readers’ tickets for local authority archive services in England and Wales. Tickets are valid for 4 years and can be used at any of the 70 archive services that are part of the scheme.
Why do I need a readers’ ticket?
We have introduced this scheme to provide greater security for the documents in our care. It will ensure that we have accurate, up to date information about our visitors.
How do I get a readers’ ticket?
You will need to complete a registration form and provide official proof of name, address and signature.
I already have a CARN ticket issued by another office do I need to bring anything else?
If you have an up to date ticket you do not need to bring any other form of identity.
Laptops
Using laptop computers
You are welcome to use your laptop computer in the searchroom:
• There are power points in our searchrooms which you may use free of charge.
• To avoid disappointment please tell us in advance if you wish to make use of an electrical socket.
• We can not allow you to connect to any data networks or telephone points in the searchroom.
• Extension cables and safety ducting provided must be used and care should be taken in the positioning of cables.
• Please turn off any sound facilities to minimise disturbance to other researchers.
• West Yorkshire Archive service cannot take responsibility for the theft, loss or damage to any laptop computer.
• Laptop carry cases should be left in the lockers provided.
• Scanners may not be used in the searchroom.
• Personal computer equipment or computer peripherals (e.g. CD ROMS or USB memory sticks) must not be connected to or used in computer equipment belonging to the service.
We hope that you have an enjoyable visit.
As the archives are unique and irreplaceable, would you please follow these rules to protect them:
• Please handle all documents with care, do not lean on them or mark them.
• Please support volumes on one of the book rests provided and ask for
weights if required.
• Please keep all loose documents in order and ask a member of staff if you
need help with re-packing a bundle.
• Please hand all documents back to a member of staff before leaving the
searchroom.
• Please use a pencil for making your notes.
• Please do not eat or drink in the searchroom. (This includes chewing gum
and cough sweets)
• Please do not smoke anywhere in the building.
• If you are using the Bradford, Leeds or Wakefield searchrooms please
place your bags (including handbags) in the lockers provided.
As we would like everyone to have as enjoyable a visit as possible could
you:
• Please respect the quiet working atmosphere by using the refreshment/
reception/foyer areas for discussions.
• Please switch off mobile telephones, pagers and personal stereos and put
laptops on silent whilst in the searchroom.
Visiting WYAS offices
If you are visiting the West Riding Registry of Deeds:
If you cannot visit in person
Getting around - Access to buildings
Reader Registration – Registering for a CARN ticket
Arriving at WYAS Offices
On arrival at Leeds and Wakefield there is a buzzer to press and an intercom to speak into, the staff will release the door to let you in.
Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees offices are situated in library buildings.
At Bradford the searchroom is situated on the sixth floor of Bradford Central Library. Press the buzzer on the right of the glass doors and staff will let you in.
At Calderdale the searchroom is situated off the Reference Library on the second floor.
At Kirklees the searchroom is located off the Local Studies Library on the second floor.
On arrival you will be asked to sign the visitors’ book which indicates that you have read and understood the Searchroom guidelines.
Facilities at archive offices
We have PC’s available for searching our catalogues and Internet access, with links to useful websites for family and local history.
Ask a member of staff if you need help.
For further information on facilities
Finding what you want
To identify the documents you want to look at you may need to use the following:
• Catalogues and indexes are available in printed form and through the online catalogue LINK
• Collections guides are available in printed format and on line LINK
• Some of our offices have older card indexes arranged by subject, place name or personal name. These are no longer maintained and may include out of date information, but can be useful when used in conjunction with our online catalogue.
Archives are catalogued according to who created them.
Please ask staff for advice about finding and ordering the documents you want.
Finding what you want in the West Riding Registry of Deeds
Requesting documents
To order documents complete a document request slip for each item required.
Fill in the slip with:
• your name, the date and your CARN number
• Reference numbers for each document
These consist of a letter and a number which describe the collection eg.
D28 Penistone Parish Record
And a number or a series of numbers which reference the individual item within the collection eg.
D28/12 Penistone Parish Marriage Register 1813-34
• A brief description of the item you require.
Place the slips in the box labelled Document Request Slips on the reception desk or hand them to a member of staff.
A member of staff will bring the documents from the stores.
We aim to produce 90% of ordered items in 15 minutes.
Items stored off-site may take up to five working days to produce you will need to order these in advance of your visit.
Document availability
Documents should be collected from and returned to the reception desk.
Although we aim to make all our collections available, some documents may not be available if:
• They are at risk of damage from use.
• Access is controlled by the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, or by agreement with the depositor.
• They are not yet listed.
• For further information see WYAS Access to Records Policy
Microfiche and microfilm
Please use microfilm and microfiche copies where these exist, rather than the original items.
The microfiche / film are available on a self-service system and are stored in cabinets.
• Complete a blue/pink request slip for microfilm or microfiche
• Place the slip in place of the fiche
• Return the microfiche / film to the returns box for staff to return to the cabinets
We have a wide range of different microform readers - please ask if you are unsure how to use them.
Your views matter to us.
At West Yorkshire Archive Service we are committed to providing you with the highest standards of service in our power.
We welcome comments, suggestions and criticisms that will help us improve or develop the service.
Please let us know what you think. You can contact us by email:
by using the comments form below,
or should you wish to make a complaint you can do so here: (How to make a complaint).
For the contact details
of our offices click here
© West Yorkshire Joint Services
