Suffolk Record Office

Suffolk Record Office holds records and documents relating to the county of Suffolk and its people, these records dating from the 12th century. 

They also hold documents from recent periods from different associations such as churches, county councils and local authorities.  They also hold histories, poetry and newspapers.

These archives are available on many different mediums, from documents and maps to CD-ROMs.  

Whether you want to find out more about house history, trace your genealogy or discover more about a particular village, you will find a document that will be of use to you.

The documents are also useful if you are researching for a school project or completing a university degree.

The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always on hand to offer advice and assistance when required. 

They have establishments in Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Ipswich.

If you have any documents relating to the history of Suffolk you would like to donate to any of the Offices to safeguard them for future generations, they would love to hear from you.

Information about Suffolk Record Office

Bury St Edmunds

Ipswich Archives

Lowestoft Archive

Collections in Suffolk Record Offices

For information regarding their collections, please visit their Collections page. Some collections are summarised on Heritage Direct, which is an on-line catalogue.  

Collections held by the Archives include:

• Architects Plans
• Business Records
• Census Returns
• Electoral Registers
• Estate Papers
• Family Records
• Hearth Tax Records
• Land Tax Records
• Maps
• Newspapers

Resources also incorporate:

• Nonconformist Registers
• Parish Registers
• Petty Sessions Records
• Photographs
• Poor Law Records
• Probate Records
• Quarter Sessions Records
• School Records
• Suffolk Gaol Books
• Tithe Apportionments

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Suffolk Record Office – Ipswich Archive

Opening Hours and Location – Ipswich

Opening Hours at Ipswich Archives can be found by perusing the appropriate section of their website.

Suffolk Record Office is now situated in the Hold, which is located on the University of Suffolk campus. It has its own designated car park but you have to drive through the University of Suffolk Car Park before you get to area of the Car Park used for visitors to the Hold. You must, therefore, ensure that you park in the area that is marked as The Hold.  You cannot park in the University of Suffolk Car Park. You can only park for three hours in the Hold Car Park.  

The nearest bus stop to the Hold is on Grimwade Street. Buses 1, 2, 3 4, 60, 60A, 60E, and HK616 stop here. Ipswich’s main bus stations, Old Cattle Market and Tower Ramparts, are 12 to 16 minutes walk from the Office.

If you wish to use the London Road and Martlesham Park and Ride services, these buses stop at Major’s Corner and Dove Street respectively, which are 10 minutes and 5 minutes walk from the Office.

Accessibility

A disabled toilet is accessible on the ground floor.  All the main facilities, such as the searchroom, map room, microfiche room, education room, locker room and toilets are situated on the ground floor.  A low level counter is available in the searchroom.  

If you take part in a tour of the Office, or come to an event that involves a visit to the upper strongroom, you can access the first floor via a lift.  No disabled toilets are available on this floor.

Unfortunately, the Office does not yet have a hearing loop.

If you have any further questions, or would like to discuss your access requirements, the Office staff will be happy to help you, and can make any necessary arrangements.

Photography

You are allowed to use your own camera in the Office, but are asked to purchase a photography permit before taking any photographs.  Some documents cannot be photographed because they can be easily damaged.

On payment of a fee, the staff are able to copy documents on your behalf.

Computers and Wi-Fi

You are allowed to use your own laptop in the Office, but there are a limited number of electrical sockets available.  You are asked to use a circuit breaker when using their electricity supply.

The Office does have some computers that offer access to websites such as Ancestry and FindmyPast.

Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the building.

Refreshments

You are welcome to eat your own food in the locker room situated next to the searchroom, and can purchase tea, coffee and hot chocolate from them if required.

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Suffolk Record Office – Bury St Edmunds Archive

Opening Hours and Location – Bury St Edmunds Archives

Opening Hours of Bury St Edmunds Archives can be found by perusing the appropriate section of their website.

No free parking is available in Bury St Edmunds Archive, but there is a space available for a disabled reader.

Accessibility

Disabled access is provided via a door to the side of the building.  Disabled toilet facilities are also available.  As no lift is installed in the building, disabled readers are unable to reach the searchroom situated on the first floor.  

The Office provides facilities on the ground floor for people in this situation, where they are able to consult documents.  The staff are able to search the card indexes on your behalf.

Photography

You are able to use your own camera to take photographs of documents, but you must purchase a photographic licence before taking any photographs.  Flash must be turned off, and tripods are not allowed.  Some documents cannot be photographed because they are fragile and easily damaged.  

Computers and Wi-Fi

You are able to use your own laptop in the Office, but there are a limited number of electrical sockets.

Computers are available on both floors of the Office, and provide access to websites such as Ancestry and FindMyPast.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

Refreshments

If you wish to eat your own food, a restroom is available.  Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits can be bought from the Office and consumed in that room.

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Suffolk Record Office – Lowestoft Archive Information

Opening Hours and Location – Lowestoft 

Opening Hours for Lowestoft Archives can be found by going to the appropriate section of their website.

The Office is based on the first floor of Lowestoft Library.  No parking is available at the Library but car parks are available near the town centre.

Photography

You are allowed to take your own photographs of documents, but are required to purchase a photography permit before taking any photographs.

Accessibility 

The Library can be accessed by using a ramp, and there is a lift to the first floor.  A disabled toilet is situated on the ground floor.  A adjustable height computer table is accessible.

A magnifying machine is available to help the visually impaired, along with a large print keyboard.

A hearing loop is also installed in the Office.

Computers and Wi-Fi

You are able to use your own laptop in the Office, but they ask that you use a surge protector if you wish to use their electricity supply.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the Office via O2.

Refreshments

A cafe selling refreshments is available on the ground floor of the library.  No food and drink is allowed in the Record Office itself.

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Booking

It is necessary to book a microfilm/microfiche reader if you wish to consult documents on this medium, but you do not need to book to look at original documents. 

It is prudent, however, to check that the document you wish to consult is available before travelling, especially if you live some distance from the Archives.

Research Service

If you are unable to visit any Suffolk Record Office branch in person, a research service is offered, in which, for a fee, they are willing to undertake research on your behalf. For more details of the charge made for using this service please go to the Research Service charges section of their Goods and Services Price List. 

Twitter and Facebook Accounts

The Offices have a Twitter Account, @KeyToThePast, where they provide information regarding the Office and their collections, events held at the Offices, and family history and local history related news.

The Offices also have a Facebook page, @SuffolkArchives, where they provide information regarding the Offices and their collections, events held at the Offices and respond to visitors’ queries.

Readers’ Tickets

The Archives’ do not accept Archives Cards. 

In order to peruse archival material or local studies books, you will have to register for a Suffolk Reader’s Ticket.  

You can either register online, or can register at one of the Office’s branches.  If you choose to register online, following registration you can search for documents in the Offices’ catalogues so that you can pre-order them so they will be waiting for you when you arrive at the Office.

Whichever option you choose to follow, you have to provide identification to complete your registration on arrival at the branch.  Identification should confirm your name, address and signature, such as a UK driving licence.

If you do not have a UK driving licence, you may have to bring in more than one form of identification.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Passport
• Bank Card
• Credit Card
• National ID Card
• Police Warrant Card
• Forces ID Card
• Sea/Air Masters Licence
• Blue Badge
• Freedom pass photo card
• Utility bill (last 6 months)
• Bank/Building Society statement (last 6 months)
• Credit card statement (last 6 months)
• Council tax bill
• HM Revenue and Customs statement
• National ID card with address
• Driving Licence with address
• Home Office permit to stay
• University certificate for hall of residence (stamped and signed by institution)
• Firearms licence
• Home Insurance policy
• International student photo card
• Pension statement
• Student Loans Company letter

All Suffolk Readers Tickets are valid for 3 years.

Although the Office no longer issues new CARN (County Archive Research Network) Cards, it will continue to honour them until their date of expiry.