Explore Culture

Essex Record Office
Essex Record Office,
Wharf Road,
Chelmsford
CM2 6YT
Tel:01245 244644
Email:ero.enquiry@essex.gov.uk

http://www.essexcc.g…

Venue details:

Opening Times:

Monday: 9am to 8.30pm
Tuesday to Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am to 4pm
Sunday: closed

The Searchroom will be closed on the following dates in 2010:
Friday 1 January
Friday 2 - Monday 5 April inclusive
Monday 3 May
Monday 31 May
Monday 30 August
Monday 15 - Saturday 27 November inclusive
Saturday 25 - Wednesday 29 December inclusive

The Searchroom will open at 1pm on Tuesday 18 May and Wednesday 8 September

Admission Prices:

Free

Description:

The Essex Record Office collects and preserves the written, oral and visual heritage of the County, ensuring that it remains available to both present and future generations. You can use the collections to research your family history, house history, community history and local geography. The Record Office also hosts a variety of exhibitions, events and classes.

Cafe / Shop:

No

Accessibilty:

Car parking
There are three car parking spaces for users with disabilities at the front of the building, the entrance. These cannot be booked in advance and are available on a first come first served basis. The Record Office is next door to a car park run by Chelmsford Borough Council which offers short and long term parking.
Tickets
If you do not already have a current CARN (County Archives Research Network) ticket issued from this or another record office, then one can be issued at Reception. You will need to show the appropriate identification and will need to fill in a form. At the Reception desk, we have a ‘fat’ pen for users with arthritis and similar conditions and a magnifying glass. Please ask if you would like to use one.
Hearing induction loops
There are hearing induction loops at the Reception desk and at the Searchroom counter where you need to sign in.
Lifts and toilets
There is a lift up to the Searchroom on the first floor. The lift has been fitted with an audio commentary which announces when the doors are closing and when it arrives on the first and ground floors.
There are wheelchair accessible toilets on the ground floor by Reception and on the first floor inside the Searchroom.
Lockers
A low-level coat rack has been installed in the locker room, with sufficient space for wheelchair users. There are also low-level lockers.
In the Searchroom
You will need to use a pencil when making notes in the Searchroom. We are in the process of acquiring pencils which may be more suitable for users with arthritis and similar conditions than standard pencils.
There is an accessible PC near the Searchroom staff counter; this has a larger monitor screen with a white keyboard with black characters on a yellow background for greater clarity. A new mouse has been fitted with a large tracker ball.
We have a supply of magnifying glasses at the counter; please ask a member of staff if you would like to borrow one.
Some of our documents can be very heavy or difficult to carry; for example an early twentieth century register may weighs as much as 8 kilogrammes. You are welcome to ask a member of staff to carry a document to your desk.
The height and rake of the chairs in the Searchroom can be adjusted, please ask a member of staff if you require any assistance.
Leaflets
All our leaflets are produced in a 12 point typeface. The most commonly used leaflets are also produced in a larger format of 18 point and others are being reformatted. These can be printed on yellow paper for greater legibility.