The Lifelong Learning Service is responsible for libraries in all parts of the county, and there are reference sections in the larger branches where much historical information is to be had in printed sources. Often, however, the required information is not to be found in books, but then it is possible to turn to original source material in the Department's record offices - in Caernarfon and Dolgellau.
There you can view documents, photographs, maps and local newspapers relating to the county's history over four centuries - and our staff are at hand to help you find the facts you are looking for. Allow enough time for your visit; once the staff have produced the documents most likely to help your research you must expect to do your own searching, since the staff will be busy helping other searchers.
We must be honest too and confess that sometimes the documents which have survived do not contain the answer you seek - although it is remarkable what remains from times past!
Where are the Documents Kept?
If you require information about the area of the old Caernarfonshire you should enquire at Caernarfon Record Office, and for Meirionnydd ask in Dolgellau. There were major boundary changes in 1974 and 1996, but record offices have retained historic boundaries - thus much material for the Corwen area (now in Denbighshire) remains at Dolgellau, while the Denbighshire Archives at Ruthin have much relating to the east bank of the River Conwy.
Education Needs
We have an Archive Education Service to help teachers - and pupils doing projects. All the county's schools have details, or you can ask our specialist education officer direct by telephoning 01286 679091 or by sending an e-mail to Museums and Archives Education.
Research Service
It is much the best if you can do your own research - only you know all the information you have and what is really of interest to you. However, if it is impossible to visit the record office, we have a postal research service but we have to charge for doing work for you. £12 is the fee for the first half hour's work by an experienced researcher. More details are available in the county's record offices and libraries.
Visiting the Archives
Anyone is welcome to call in the record offices, free of charge. We try to make you feel at home and give you any help you need. We ask you to sign the register each time you call, and you will need a Reader's Ticket. These tickets are valid in most county record offices in Wales and England, and we can give you a ticket without delay if you have suitable identification with you, such as a driving licence or benefit book.
We have a wide range of finding aids - typed catalogues and all sorts of indexes - and in the future these will be computerised. The staff can point you in the right direction. After deciding what documents are of interest, you will be asked to fill in a slip for each item you want to see, and a member of staff will fetch them for you. After finishing with them, please return them to the counter.
A few documents of major importance kept in other archives - such as the census returns and parish registers - are available on microfilm. You do not need a reader's ticket to see these, but we strongly advise you to book a microfilm reader before calling, in case they are all in use when you come.
Copying Service
We can make photocopies of most documents for 30p a sheet, as long as copying will not harm them. Unfortunately we cannot copy bound copies of newspapers. To meet the requirements of Copyright law you must fill in a special request form. We also have a photographic copying service for pictures; the charge depends on the size (from £11 for a print 5"x7" 130mm x 180mm). A leaflet gives conditions and prices.
Document Safety
Because they are unique, our documents are priceless, and all of us have a duty to guard them for the future. For this reason, you can only see six photographs, three documents or one volume at a time (although you are welcome to order more - we'll keep the others behind the counter until you are ready for them). To avoid damage we also ask you to help us by using pencils instead of ballpoints or ink (you can buy a pencil at the counter); refraining from putting one document on top of another or leaning on a document; and please do not smoke, drink or eat in the Search Room.
Our aim is to provide the best possible service to the public, within the limitations of document safety, resources and space. We welcome suggestions to improve the service, and questionnaires are occasionally prepared to find out your views: please help us by filling them in.
Conservation Service
The Conservation Service is based at the Caernarfon Record Office. The work undertaken at the facility includes the conservation of documents, maps, seals as well as bookbinding. This service is also available to the general public, and you are welcome to contact the Conservation Officer, Mr. R.G. Williams, telephone 01286 679096, to discuss your requirements.
Cameras & Scanners
The service does not allow photographic equipment or electronic scanners to be used by the public.
