Where can I park when I visit the Record Office?

The Anglesey Archive Service is situated in the town centre surrounded by numerous pay and display car parks which are clearly sign posted on arrival into the town. (NB access may be restricted on Thursday - market day).

Is the building accessible?

The search room is located on the first floor of the Shire Hall.  However, there is wheelchair access to the main building and a chair lift is available to users if required. A portable loop system is provided and there are accessible toilets located on the lower ground floor.

What facilities do you have?

Unfortunately, the Anglesey Archive Service does not have space for refreshment facilities. However, there are several cafes and restaurants within a few minutes walk of the office.

Do you accept CARN (County Archive Research Network) tickets?

Yes. We are part of the County Archive Research Network and accept CARN tickets. If you do not already hold a valid CARN ticket, please bring some identification with you that shows your name and current address (eg driving licence, bank statement or utility bill. NB a passport will not include you address) and we can issue you with a ticket free of charge.

Do you charge?

Access to the search room is free. However, a charge is made for copying documents (where it is possible to do so) and for the use of our research service. Please see the 'list of charges' page for more details (NB We always welcome donations that help us improve the service).

How do I get started?

You should bring along your pencils, paper, notes detailing any previous research, reference numbers for documents if previously consulted, and some identification (if you wish to obtain a CARN ticket – see above).

Will there be staff to help me?

Yes. Our staff are friendly and dedicated to helping you make the most of your visit.

Can you look for information for me?

Yes, the service will undertake research for those who are not able to visit the office in person. The charge is £12 for the first half hour and £18 per hour thereafter.  Please see our research service policy document.

How do I start researching the history of my family?

There are a number of excellent books dealing with this topic available in our searchroom. Alternatively, a useful introduction to family history research can be found on the National Archives website. The BBC Family History website also includes excellent guides and links for family historians and genealogists. Links to these websites are provided on our web links page.

How do I start researching the history of my house?

Once again there are a  number of excellent books dealing with this topic available in our searchroom. Alterantively,  if you prefer to begin you research on the internet please visit the ‘Hidden House History’ website. The link to this website can be found on our web links page.

Can I obtain copies of birth, marriage or death certificates from you?

No. The civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1837. Copies of birth, marriage and death certificates for Anglesey can be obtained from the Registrar's Office.

How do I find out about my ancestors before 1837?

The most useful source of information is likely to be the parish registers. These contain baptisms, marriages and burials. We hold most of the Anglican parish registers for Anglesey and some non-conformist registers.

My family doesn't come from Anglesey. How can you help me?

Most of our holdings relate to the island of Anglesey as this is the area detailed in our acquisition policy. If your enquiry relates to another apart of the country we can provide the contact details for the relevant archive service, library, registrar, or family history society, etc.

I'm a teacher. Where can I look for archive resources to use in school?

The Anglesey Archive Service can help teachers by providing focus packs of specially selected source material for use with children at Key Stages 1 and 2. Please contact our Education Officer, Ceri Jones for further details: CAJLH@anglesey.gov.uk

Do you have copying facilities?

In many instances we can provide photocopies of original documents, though this is dependant upon the size, format and condition of the document (please see our photocopying policy).  Printouts can be made from microfiche and microfilm, and you can use your own camera to photograph documents as long as you obtain a photography licence from us (please see our use of digital camera policy).

Can I borrow documents?

No. The archives must remain in the record office. If you cannot visit the office, you may like to use our research service, or obtain photocopies of documents (subject to their physical condition and copyright regulations).

Do I have any archives?

If you are thinking about throwing away any papers, plans, photographs etc relating to Anglesey, either at home or at work, please don't be afraid to contact us. If you can put us in contact with people who may have records of interest, please get in touch with us to ensure that Anglesey's archival history survives for the benefit of future generations.

Can you transfer the records to my local record office?

No.  Once again all documents must be viewed in our search room.

Are any of your records available on the Internet?

At present, we are unable to put our collections online. However, you can search for details of many of our collections using the Archives Network Wales website or the Access to Archives (A2A) website. These websites provide detailed descriptions of our records and should help you to identify those which will be useful for your research.

How many records do you have?

The Anglesey Archive Service holds over 80 cubic metres of historical records spanning the 16th–21st centuries, including records of parish churches, families, businesses  and industries, schools, solicitors, societies, official records and those of local government.

How far do your records go back?

Our earliest records go back as far as the 16th century.

Is there a local family history society?

Yes. The Anglesey branch of the Gwynedd family History Society. The Society can be contacted on: bryan.jones8@btinternet.com Or you can visit their website: http://www.gwyneddfhs.org/

My question doesn't appear here, what should I do next?

If there are any other questions you may have concerning the Anglesey Archive Service which have not been covered above, please do not hesitate to contact us.