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Research Options

Online Search Tools | Research Tips | Research Options | Copying Archival Documents | Fees and Charges

There are a number of research options available to those wishing to conduct research via the City of Sydney Archives.

Please note that Archives staff members are generally NOT able to answer research enquiries in response to telephone calls or unannounced visits.

Visit the Archives

You can visit the City of Sydney Archives and undertake the research yourself.

Please note that an appointment MUST be made prior to your visit. Appointments can be arranged by phone, email or in person.

Visiting researchers to the Archives are assisted by an archivist, who will advise you about locating records that may be of use for your research, through the search tools available. However the archivist is not there to do your research for you.

Facilities to read the records and take notes are available. Visiting researchers may bring laptop computers to take notes with. Digital cameras may be used with permission, to take copies of documents. Tape recorders are generally not acceptable because you may have to share our reading room with other researchers.

The City of Sydney Archives Office in Town Hall House has only limited space for storing archival records. Most are stored offsite. This means the records you need may not always be immediately available. When you contact us to make your appointment we will endeavour to explore the records your research requires and advise whether delays in record retrieval are likely.

Photocopies of archival documents can be supplied on request (unless a document is too fragile to copy). Photographic copies are available but normally take a week to process. Plan-print copies are also available but there is a delay of a few days.

Fees and charges apply to visiting researchers under certain circumstances.

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Write to the Archives

You can write to the City of Sydney Archives, by letter, fax or e-mail.

If you need information or records from the Archives, we request that you send us a written list of the records you have identified, from our on-line search tools. If you cannot locate any relevant records there, explain your request and send to us in case there are other records not yet in the catlogues.

The Archives does not offer an in-depth research service.

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Hire a Professional Researcher

You can engage a professional researcher to undertake the research on your behalf. Should your enquiry be complex and you have no research experience, or should you be unable to visit in person, this may be your best option. To find out about the availability of professional research assistance contact the Professional Historians Association of NSW.

 

Online Search Tools

Researchers can explore the City of Sydney Archives via its major online search tools.

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Last Updated: Wednesday 22 April, 2009

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.