RESEARCH SERVICE
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Research Service leaflet (PDF - new window)
The Somerset Archives and Local Studies Service operates its own professional Research Service to do research on your behalf on records held at the Somerset Heritage Centre.  Due to the popularity of the service our professional staff are limited as to how much time they can spend on each enquiry. This is currently a maximum of 2 hours per letter received.
Charges
 

Standard Rate: £30 sterling per hour including VAT and postage (UK), or postage (overseas). Minimum Charge £8.00. Payment is required in advance.

Business/Legal Rate: £60 sterling per hour. Minimum charge £15.00 (15 minutes).  Work will be invoiced. Please phone for details.

Please note that we have to charge for all staff time and costs expended on processing your enquiry, including compiling the report. The Research Service is not subsidised by the Somerset Council Tax payer.
Information we require from you
 
  • Please specify as clearly and precisely as possible the information that you are seeking, and enclose any relevant information which might assist us.
  • Please write clearly or type your enquiry. Whether contacting us by letter or e-mail, remember to include your name and postal address.
  • If possible, quote our reference number given on previous correspondence, especially if related to your current enquiry.
  • Please enclose an accurate map if your enquiry concerns a house or land.
  • Include a (UK) daytime telephone number so that we can contact you for clarification if necessary.
  • Please allow for a reasonable amount of research time to answer all of your questions, and phone for an estimate if unsure.
Payment by cheque/postal order
 
Payment by open limited cheque is safe for you, and prevents us having to send refunds. You should leave the amount and figures line blank for us to complete, but (important) write on the second line "not to exceed (x) pounds". Please make the cheque payable to Somerset County Council.  Cheques, etc., must be in sterling currency.  Unfortunately the Eurocheque scheme has been discontinued.
Payment by credit/debit card
 

We can accept payments by the following credit or debit cards: Visa, Visa Electron, Access, Mastercard, Switch and Solo. 

We will need the following information:

  1. The type of card you are using
  2. Written permission from the card holder
  3. The number, exactly as shown on the card
  4. The security code (the last 3 figures printed on the signature strip on the back of the card)
  5. The expiry date
  6. For Switch cards the 'valid from' date and issue number
  7. The full name, exactly as it appears on the card
  8. The full address to which the card is registered, including house number and postcode
  9. Day time telephone number and e-mail address
  10. A clearly stated monetary limit for this transaction

Regrettably, we cannot accept American Express or Diners Club.
How long will my enquiry take?
 
Enquiries are dealt with in the order that we receive them. We will acknowledge receipt of your enquiry if the backlog is longer than 10 working days. In exceptional circumstances we can give priority to your enquiry, e.g. when a deadline has been imposed on you at short notice - please phone us to discuss how we can help. 
Copies and copyright
 
Copies are not to be reproduced or published without the written permission of the Head of Archives and Local Studies.
Ways to contact us
 

By post

 

 Somerset Heritage Centre
Brunel Way
Langford Mead
Norton Fitzwarren
Taunton
TA2 6SF
  By phone 01823 278805
  By fax 01823 347459
  By e-mail archives@somerset.gov.uk