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Hertfordshire County Council

Experience the history of Hertfordshire first hand with a visit to our archives or museums.

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies
Register Office Block
County Hall
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG13 8EJ

Map and directions

Email: hals.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

 

Opening hours

Opening hours

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

9am – 5pm

First Tuesday of every month, we're open until 7.30pm by appointment only. Contact us by 9am on the previous Friday to book.

Wednesday

9am – 5pm

Thursday

9am – 5pm

Friday

9am - 12.30pm

Saturday

10am – 2pm
First and third Saturday of the month.

Sunday

Closed

Facilities

  • Wheelchair access
  • Limited parking – alternative parking in town
  • Disabled parking
  • Toilets (disabled access)
  • Free lockers
  • Study space
  • Hearing loop and magnifying equipment
  • Heritage Shop
  • Rooms and spaces for hire
  • Vending machines – hot and cold drinks, customers are also welcome to bring their own flask and refreshments to eat in our foyer. You can't bring food, drinks or bags into the reading rooms.

 

View the accessibility information for this venue

Accessibility information of venue

If you want to discuss your accessibility requirements, please email hals.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Photocopiers and microfilm

Photocopier

  • A4 and A3
  • Colour or black and white.

Digital microfilm readers for back and white printing, or daily permit for digital downloads to USB.

See all fees and charges.

Computers and internet

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • A4 Scanner

Computer costs:

  • No charge to use computers for archives or local and family history.
  • Other charges apply for general computer use:
    • Library members – 1 hour free, then 4p a minute.
    • Non library members – £2.50 for 30 minutes

Printing costs (A4 only):

  • 20p – single page, black and white
  • 60p – single page, colour

 

We have two rooms:

Archive reading room

Man searching the family history archives

For original documents including county council, parish church, family, estate and business records

Local studies library

Lionel Munby HALS meeting room

For printed and published materials, e.g. books, pamphlets, periodicals, directories, maps, photographs and sources on microfilm such as parish registers, newspapers and wills.

Services available

We regularly have events and displays, including getting started at HALS.

View original documents

You'll need a Hertfordshire Archives Reader's Ticket to view original archive documents at HALS. When you visit, bring proof of identity and address with a signature, such as:

  • driving licence
  • passport
  • recent utility bill.

If you're unable to visit and need a copy of a document or help with your research, we can help

Taking photos and digital copies

You can take your own pictures of documents when you come and visit. You can also download digital images from our microfilms to your memory stick. Ask us for a pass.

Prices for photos or digital downloads

  • Day pass – £10
  • Half day pass – £5
  • Annual pass – £100.

 

For a combined pass (allowing photos and downloads of microfilm images):

  • Day pass – £15
  • Half day pass – £7.50
  • Annual pass – £150.

 

Visit a museum

There are over 40 museums in Hertfordshire. From the Natural History Museum in Tring to smaller museums across the county, you'll never be short of things to do.

Each of our museums hold group tours for large visits so you can get a better experience of the history when you visit.

 

 

Contact Us

Hertfordshire Archives Facebook

Visit our heritage shop

Browse our shop for books, maps, CDs, conservation supplies and services we offer.

Visit the heritage shop

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