What is the research service?
If you are unable to visit the History Centre to carry out your own research, our experienced staff can undertake research on your behalf. We can carry out research in blocks of half an hour, and the maximum amount of time we can spend on any one enquiry is one hour.
How much will it cost?
Our fees are non-refundable and include the cost of four A4 copies. We may contact you again should there be a large amount of copying requiring a further fee, or if the item requires specialist copying. These will be charged at our normal rates.
For full details of our fees and charges please see our List of fees.
How can I pay?
We cannot proceed with an enquiry until full payment is received. You can pay by cheque made payable to Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd or by credit/debit card using Mastercard, Visa, or Visa Debit by calling 01482 317500 during our opening hours. You can also pay online.
Please do not send credit card details by e-mail or on your application form.
Overseas payment should be made in pounds sterling by credit card, International Money Order, or a cheque drawn on a British bank.
What information do I need to provide?
Please give as much specific information as you can to help us with your search. We will not be able to help with broad topics such as 'Hull during the Second World War' or family history searches for names such as John Smith. We cannot undertake research to locate living individuals.
How do I use the service?
In order that we can provide you with the best service and ensure we fully understand your request, enquiries will not be taken over the phone, but should be made in writing. Please complete:
1. The Research Services Application Form (85kb, PDF format) and return it to us by post along with the relevant fee
2. Sign the Copyright declaration form (84kb, PDF format) which will allow us to provide you with copies of documents if appropriate. Please ensure you read the Copyright Declaration in full before signing it.
3. If you are enquiring about sensitive personal information covered by data protection legislation, please see Accessing sensitive information.
How long will I wait and how will I receive my results?
We will respond to your enquiry within 10 working days and will send you a report, see our Research Report template (25kb, PDF), which will list the sources we have searched and the information we have found relating to your enquiry.
You should note that we may not always be able to find the information you are looking for, but we will always tell you what sources we have consulted so you can eliminate them from your future searches.
We may suggest further sources which may be of interest to you.
Where shall I send my completed forms and fee?
Once you have completed all of the relevant forms they should be returned to:
Research Service
Hull History Centre
Worship Street
Kingston upon Hull
HU2 8BG
Alternatively signed, scanned copies can be returned by email to hullhistorycentre@hcandl.co.uk.
What if I want more research carried out?
If you need more research than we can carry out in an hour, you can employ an independent researcher who can visit us on your behalf. A good place to start looking for a researcher is the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives.
Alternatively, we are happy for local independent researchers to advertise at Hull History Centre, although we do not keep an online list and we do not recommend or endorse any particular researcher. Local researchers' cards are available at the Welcome Desk in the arcade.
If you are employing an independent researcher, please note:
- Independent researchers are not employees of Hull History Centre, Hull Culture & Leisure Ltd or the University of Hull. They work in a private capacity, here and in other archives and libraries.
- Any arrangements you may make are a private matter between you and the researcher.
- We cannot arbitrate on any disagreements between enquirers and researchers.
- The fees charged by researchers vary greatly. You will have to come to an agreement with the researcher you hire. Some researchers will charge for preliminary research work before accepting a commission.