However, some of the records we hold are not freely available for research as they contain information that we cannot release due to various restrictions imposed on us.

What we charge

The research service will cost £10 per half hour, or part of a half hour, up to a maximum of 1 hour (£20.00).

What the charge covers

We will search:

• GRO index of births, marriages and deaths
• Census records
• International Genealogical Index

We will also carry out searches in our collections, including school records, electoral registers, business records, parish registers and church records, photographs, newspapers, local history books.

We will supply a search report detailing what records we have searched, their reference numbers, any information found and advice on further lines of enquiry.

A limited number of photocopies may be provided free of charge if that is judged to be the most economical way of presenting the results. Additional copying can be supplied according to our standard scale of fees. If copying is not possible, we will supply a transcript of the information.

To request a search please download the Search Request Form.

How long it will take

We will send you a response within 28 days.

What happens if we don’t find anything

Even if we are unable to find the information requested, you are still required to pay a fee for the research undertaken.

Ordering copies without research

If you have all the necessary details you can request copies without paying for research. If any searching through the records is required, for example to find the correct page or entry, you will need to pay the research fee, however.

Examples of copies supplied without a research fee are:

Parish or non-conformist church registers

Please supply the full date (day, month and year), church, full names of parties

Archive documents

Please supply the full archive catalogue reference, and page numbers if applicable

Books

Please supply the title, author, and page numbers.

To request copies without research, please use the online enquiry form.

Enquiries we do not charge for

We do not charge for requests to find out more about our holdings, for example:

• Do you hold the records of Mitchells & Butler Breweries?
• What books do you have on the history of Wednesbury?
• Do you have records of ARP wardens in West Bromwich during the war?

We do not charge for research carried out on behalf of an individual who has made a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 1998. These are requests about personal information held in the archives about you, such as your personal school record, information about a period you spent in hospital, details about time spent in a Council children’s home.

If you have an enquiry for which we do not charge, please use the online enquiry form.