There are record offices/archives departments located throughout Britain and the procedures for visiting and looking at records vary from place to place.  At Teesside Archives we operate the following procedures which are designed to permit access to the information contained in the unique records deposited here whilst at the same time protecting the records themselves.

Children are welcome but must be kept under strict supervision.

Pets are not generally allowed in Teesside Archives: guide and hearing dogs are of course allowed.

Please ring or e-mail in advance of a visit to enquire whether it is necessary to reserve a microfilm/microfiche machine or a computer.  Tel: 01642 248321 or e-mail: teesside_archives@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Smoking is not permitted anywhere in Teesside Archives, in line with the no-smoking policy of Middlesbrough Council. A cafeteria is not provided but a small area in the entrance hall of Teesside Archives is available for the consumption of  food and drink, should members of the public wish to bring their own sandwiches etc.  Food and drink are not allowed in the searchroom.

On arriving at Teesside Archives please switch off  mobile phones  before entering the searchroom. Once in the searchroom please report to the reception desk and  sign the visitors’ book.

Lockers are provided free of charge to leave outdoor clothing, all folders, files,bags, handbags and envelopes.  A small notebook or a few loose sheets of paper only are allowed in the searchroom.  Pens, biros, marker pens are not permitted.  Pencils only are allowed in the searchroom. There are paper catalogues and card indexes in the searchroom to identify the documents to be consulted.

Some records, in particular the church registers of baptism, marriage and burial, and census returns, are consulted on microfilm/microfiche or CD.  Members of the public wishing to look at original records will be asked to complete a Document Request Slip.  Three documents only may be ordered at one time.

Documents will be brought down from the strongrooms for members of the public to consult. Care must be taken when consulting original documents.  Special book cushions and weights are provided. Documents should be handled as little as possible and not leant upon. Copies can be made of documents from microfilm/microfiche or CD.  Copies by any other method may be made of original documents only if, in the opinion of the staff, the copying process will not cause damage to the document.

Digital cameras and/or scanners may sometimes be used after consultation with staff.
Tracing of documents through a protective plastic sheet may sometimes be carried out after consultation with staff. Care must be taken to return documents to the correct envelope or bundle. Documents must be returned to the front desk immediately after use. Documents may not be borrowed.

There are two computers with internet access, which may be booked for a two hour session. There is a computer designed to help searchers who are visually impaired.  It is able to magnify images to a great size and is also able to read out aloud data from CD’s.