Planning your visit

A few hints and tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Hull History Centre:

Before your visit:

• Wherever possible do as much research prior to making a visit and try to identify what information do you want to find out. If you are doing your family tree see our getting started page - and bring your notes with you. See our Events page for details of the Family History HelpDesk we run on Thursday mornings.
• Check our online catalogue - although not every item in the collections is described it does provide information about more than 265,000 documents and should help to identify relevant collections and resources
• Some items are on microfilm / microfiche including newspapers, burial records, census records and electoral registers (upto 1954). If you wish to consult these records we recommend that you phone us (01482 317500) prior to your visit to reserve an appropriate machine.
• If you have found original documents on our online catalogue that you would like to consult contact us (tel 01482 317500 or e-mail hullhistorycentre@hullcc.gov.uk) prior to your visit with the reference number and description for up to 5 items and we will get the items out for you - please let us know by noon the day before your intended visit at the latest
• To consult items in the searchroom you will need to bring your CARN ticket if you already have one or bring some ID with your name and address on it (eg driving licence, utility bill etc) and we will issue you with a CARN ticket - see our CARN ticket FAQ for further details.
• If you are visiting from outside of Hull, we have collated a list of nearby hotels that may be useful.
• The History Centre will open at 10am and not 9.30am once a month to allow staff training - please check the dates before your visit.

When you arrive:

• The History Centre has a suite of 12 PCs with free internet access, and MS office software. To make sure there is a chance for everyone to use them, access is limited to a maximum of one hour per day per person. To use these ICT facilities you will need a Hull Library ticket - please bring some proof of address if you would like to register for a Library ticket.
• If you intend to use the searchroom you will be asked to use pencils only - see our notes on using the searchroom
• The searchroom is deliberately cooler than other public areas to protect the archives. You may want to keep a jumper or cardigan with you - we will ask you to leave coats and bags in the lockers provided.
• We do offer a reprographic service to provide photocopies or digital copies of documents - but you are welcome to use your own digital camera (a charge of 25p will apply for each photograph taken - see our fees and charges)

If you are unable to visit us in person we do offer a paid enquiry service.