- Looking into your family history?
- Starting your house history?
- Local history questions?
The Northamptonshire Record Office is here to help with your research.
We hold many unique collections of records that can help you discover family history dates and to find out where your ancestors lived and what they did. Whether you are just starting out or need professional help and knowledge to explore areas you have not tried before, we can provide the answers.
What sorts of records do we hold?
The Northamptonshire Record Office holds records of people, organisations and institutions. These date from mediaeval times to modern days. They include: parish registers of baptisms, marriages and burials, records relating to the parish poor, wills and inventories, census returns, estate records and maps.
What can we do for you?
When we receive an initial inquiry, we can advise you as to the records we hold and recommend searches relevant to your inquiry. We need written confirmation from you of the details you want checked. Once this is received, trained Record Office staff will examine original records on your behalf. We will do a typed transcript of the entries that we find, which is sent to you with a covering letter. Wherever possible we will suggest further research possibilities and indicate other relevant sources that you might like us to search.
We are also able to offer full transcription of documents, such as wills and inventories, where the handwriting makes them difficult to decipher.
Print outs or copies can be provided but only from certain sources.
What are the charges?
The fee is £20 an hour. There is a minimum charge of £12 for half an hour research. We do not usually do more than two hours work on one inquiry at one time. This allows you to control the cost of the work and ensures that we maintain a reasonable turnover of inquires. However we are happy to carry out more extensive searches in instalments.
Please note that in some cases the research results may not yield a positive result but in such cases the charge cannot be waived. Generally results will be despatched to you within four weeks of your confirmation being received. If there is likely to be any delay, we shall let you know.
Up to two free photocopies are included in the cost of each research period purchased. Charges for further copies or print out are £0.50 per sheet.
How do I apply?
Please send us a request in writing, specifying your requirements. If you are not sure what sources are available or where it might be useful to start, we are happy to give advice.
We are happy to take requests by letter and email as long as you provide your full address and contact details.
You may also print the application form below and return it to the Record Office with details of what research you would like to have done for you.
How do I pay?
Where you have been provided with an estimate of costs, we ask for payment in advance. Alternatively we ask for a minimum payment of £12.00 in advance, instructions as to the maximum length of search to be undertaken and agreement that you will be invoiced for any amount outstanding.
Cheques should be made payable to Northamptonshire County Council and sent to this office. Where the fee payable is over £40, an invoice has to be raised through our treasurer's section and is sent separately from the research report.
Payment by overseas money order is subject to a £7.00 surcharge to cover bank charges.
Currently we are not able to accept payment by credit or debit card.
For further information please contact us using the details on the right hand side.