Paid research service

In some cases, Lancashire Archives can offer extended research into some types of Restricted Access hospital and asylum records for a fee. If we believe that your enquiry would benefit from this research, we will let you know. Research will be carried out by an archivist, and you will receive a written report.

What do you need to do?

Send us an enquiry using this form and give as much specific information as you can. For example: names, including married names, dates and places of birth or death, names and dates of any children, name of institution

What will we do?

If we think we can help through this research service we will let you know. If not we will suggest other options.

If we think we can help:

We will examine all sources held by the Archives & Local Studies to supply the information requested cannot guarantee a positive outcome.
Archival research often ends without success, even after lengthy search.
You will still be charged for the service even if no information is found in the records, but we will always explain how your time has been used and which sources were consulted.
We reserve the right either to refuse to undertake a search, or to limit the time that may be spent on it.
If we feel that a search has very low chances of success, we will contact you to discuss your request.
We can offer advice on how much time you should request.
If we feel more time could be productively spent on a request, we will inform you of this.
We will tell you how to pay and take payment from you.

What will happen next?

We will send you a Research Report.

Your Research Report will give full details of the sources we have checked and any information found. We will also give a certain amount of associated information if we reveal details that we think might also be of interest. You can see an example of a Research Report. The report will detail which records were consulted including document references, what information was contained in each record (if any), and additional information we feel may help to answer your enquiry.
It may be possible to offer copies of documents. If this is the case, we will tell you how much this will cost.

How long will it take?

Enquiries are dealt with in the order that we receive them. You will receive a confirmation email within five days of us receiving your enquiry. We will let you know how long we think it may take to provide a full response.

Further information

Where records are restricted, Lancashire Archives and Local Studies must usually get permission from the relevant authority or NHS Trust to allow access, and for the information to be released. In some cases, this can take a number of weeks.
- As permission for access legally rests with the relevant authority, if permission is refused, we will not be able to share any information found, however there may still be a charge.
If we are unsuccessful in the research, we will endeavour to offer advice on other sources of information and their whereabouts, where appropriate.
At this time we are not able to extend the research service to unrestricted records. For this type of research please contact a record agent.
We will not ordinarily search types of records that are currently accessible such as newspaper collections or civil registration records.
Unfortunately, the Research Service cannot always provide all the answers.
- Charges will still apply even if the result is minimal or negative, as a search has still been carried out.
- Records may be missing, damaged or difficult to read.
- While every effort will be made to carry out research accurately, Lancashire Archives cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent errors or omissions.

How much will it cost?

The cost is £47. This covers finding out which sources to look at, looking at the records, transcribing information, contacting NHS trusts for permission, producing the report. keeping client up to date. This covers up to one hours work.
If carrying out the work described above takes longer than 1 hour we will charge a further £23 per half hour. We will contact you before charging any extra amount.
This charge does not cover copies of documents.