Norfolk Record Office

Norfolk Record Office holds documents referring to the history of Norfolk, making them accessible to anyone who wishes to consult them.  

Records relating to the diocese, archdeaconries, deaneries and parishes in the Diocese of Norwich are held at the Archive, which also includes the Lowestoft area.  

It also houses resources relating to many parishes in West Norfolk because it is also the Diocesan Archive for the Diocese of Ely.

The Office includes the Norfolk Sound archive. The Office has been assessed by the National Archives and has been given the highest possible four-star archive service rating.  

Resources held by the Office include census returns, parish registers, manorial documents, electoral registers and quarter sessions records. 

Whether you are tracing your family history, studying for a school, college or university assignment, researching the history of a house, or are interested in local history, you will find the documents held of use. 

The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always on hand to offer help if you have any questions or require assistance.

Information about Norfolk Record Office

Collections

For information regarding their collections, please visit peruse their online catalogue NROCAT for information regarding resources held by the Office.  Please bear in mind, however, that descriptions of items in the catalogue are only brief and do not give full details of an item’s contents.

Further information regarding resources held is available on their Guide to Holdings page, which is divided into five sections: Ecclesiastical, Local Authorities, Private, Probate and Public and Statutory.

Norfolk Record Office also holds the Norwich Second World War Bomb Map, which details the areas of Norwich damaged by enemy action.  

Created by the Norwich Air Raid Precautions Department during the war, the Bomb Map has 679 paper labels signifying the bombs falling on Norwich during 1940-44.  These labels detail the site, date and size of the bombs.

Collections held by the Office include:

• Census Returns – Norfolk 1841-1901
• Coroners Records
• Estate Records
• Family Papers
• Hospital Records
• International Genealogical Index (IGI) – Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire
• Land Tax Records
• Maps
• Motor Vehicle Registration Documents

Resources also include:

• Newspapers
• Parish Registers
• Petty Sessions Records
• Probate Records
• Quarter Sessions Records
• Taxation Records
• Tithe Maps
• Wills

Opening Hours

Opening Hours can be found by going to their Opening Hours page.

Location and Directions

The Archive Centre is on the same site as County Hall, and is one mile from the railway station and from the bus station.  If on foot, you should walk down Queens Road, then onto Bracondale and turn right into Conesford Drive.  

If you follow the road to the right, you should arrive at the County Hall site.  If you then continue along the path, you should see the Archive Centre, which is situated to the right of County Hall.  To find the entrance, look for a Jaguar aircraft on a plinth, the nose of which points towards the entrance. 

If travelling by bus, you should catch the Konect Bus 500 from Bus Stop BS on St Stephen’s Street.

If you are travelling by car and using a Sat Nav, the postcode is NR1 2DQ. Users may use the free car park available at County Hall.  There is a security kiosk near the car park entrance that visitors must report to in order to obtain a visitor’s parking pass. 

You will then be advised where to park by the security staff. You are still able to use the car park on a Saturday, but there are no staff on duty.

Booking

You are advised to book a table if you want to peruse maps or other large documents.  If you wish to look at resources held on microfilm or microfiche, you do not need to book a reader.

Photography and Photocopying

If you want to take photographs of any of the documents you have to buy a permit from reception.  Some documents cannot be photographed because they are fragile and easily damaged.

You are also able to take your own copies from microfilms and microfiches on payment of a small fee.

The staff can take photocopies on your behalf, but they do make a charge to people taking advantage of this service.  Some documents cannot be photocopied because they are very old and fragile.

Accessibility

The building is full accessible, with a lift, situated to the left of the steps at the main entrance, being provided to take you to the public areas, which are all on the same level.  A disabled toilet is also accessible.  The restaurant and the shop are located on the ground floor.  

A loop system is in place at the Archive Centre reception desks.

Refreshments

A drinks machine is available in the Common Room, plus a restaurant inside County Hall along with a shop selling sandwiches, snacks and drinks etc.

Please note food and drink and bags are not allowed in the searchroom.

Facebook and Twitter Accounts

Norfolk Record Office is on Facebook, @norfolkrecordoffice. On this page, they provide videos regarding the Office,  give details regarding Office events, their collections, and family history and local history related news.  They also answer visitors’ queries.

The Office also has a Twitter Account, @NorfolkRO, where they give information regarding their collections and events.

Research Service

If you are unable to visit in person, the Archive offers a research service.  They also provide details of record searchers. For a fee, these searchers can undertake research on your behalf.

Readers’ Tickets

Norfolk Archives accepts the Archives Card.