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Archive Service

In response to government advice, St Helens Archive Service is closed to all public appointments until further notice. Currently the service will continue to respond to customer enquiries. The best way to contact the archive service is by email but telephone enquiries can also be made.

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Online catalogue: www.sthelens.gov.uk/history

Contact details: archives@sthelens.gov.uk / 01744 671748

 

Planning your visit to the archive

Booking an appointment
If you would like to view historical records from the archive, please first consult the online catalogue at www.sthelens.gov.uk/history, making a note of the title and reference number of the items you are interested in.

Contact archives@sthelens.gov.uk / 01744 671748 for help and to book an appointment within the opening times (out-of-hours appointments may be accommodated on request):

Monday: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday: 10am – 2pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2pm
Thursday: 1pm – 4pm

Address
St Helens Archive Service, The Gamble Building, Victoria Square, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1DY

Parking and public transport
The Gamble Building is a two-minute walk from Birchley Street Car Park, a two-minute walk from St Helens Bus Station and a five-minute walk from St Helens Central train station.

Visiting the archive
The search room is on the mezzanine floor of the Gamble Building. You can find it by entering the building at the front door and following the stairs up to the door marked ‘Search Room’.

On arrival at the archives, you will need to sign in to view documents. Please bring photographic ID. You do not need to be a member of St Helens Library Service; however, if you would like to join you can do so on the day: www.sthelens.gov.uk/libraries/how-to-join-the-library.

Accessibility
If you have mobility issues and require lift access, please advise us in advance (there is lift access but a key is required). Limited disabled parking is available outside Wesley House on Corporation Street, approximately 20 yards from the Gamble Building. Alternatively, please contact us to discuss other ways you can access the information you require.

Handling documents

  • Food and drink is not permitted in the search room.
  • Please use a pencil for note taking (no pens).
  • Lockers are available to store bags and heavy coats (not permitted at search room tables).
  • Please follow staff instructions for handling documents.
  • Some items may not be available to be viewed as they are too fragile or are closed to the public, we will advise you of this as soon as possible.

Remote access
If you would like to view archive documents but cannot visit the Archive Service, please get in touch to discuss our research services for remote access.

Copying and licensing

  • You may bring a laptop, tablet or camera (no flash).
  • Documents may be photocopied, scanned or digitised in-house.
  • Copyright forms will need to be completed if you make or receive a copy of any item.
  • For those wishing to publish images a licence must be obtained. Permission may not always be given due to copyright or other restrictions.
  • There is no charge to visit and view archive documents. Charges apply for research, reproduction, digitisation or own camera/device.

Other resources
Eccleston and Newton-le-Willows Library hold local studies resources such as maps, microfilm records, electoral registers (Eccleston only) and local history books. To book a microfilm reader, please contact ecclestonlibrary@sthelens.gov.uk / 01744 677575 or newtonlewillowslibrary@sthelens.gov.uk / 01744 677885. Ancestry and Find My Past websites and local history books are available to St Helens Library Service members at any St Helens library.

Read the St Helens Archive Service mission statement.

Description

Charge

Scanning digitised items (plus cost of print if required)

£2.00 per image (research or private study)

£15.00 per image (non-commercial / editorial / public display)

A4 black and white print / copy (plus cost of scan if required)

0.40

A4 colour print / copy (plus cost of scan if required)

0.75

A3 black and white print / copy (plus cost of scan if required)

0.70

A3 colour print / copy (plus cost of scan if required)

£1.40

Photography permit (research or private study)

£3.00 per day

£10.00 per week

Research work

£5.00 per quarter hour per first hour, then £15.00 per hour

 

Charges for postal, email or telephone orders may be calculated to include a cost for the time taken for staff to locate and copy material (charged as research fee).

It may not always be possible to provide an accurate quote for the price of research work in advance. Staff will let you know an estimate and advise you if the price is likely to increase. Research information/copies will only be sent once payment has been received.

Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Helens Council’.