Before you visit you can search our catalogue online to find out what records we have. The database is updated weekly.
Search Record Office catalogue (external link)Supporting document
Availability of records
Inclusion of an item in the catalogue does not necessarily mean that it can be seen or copied. Some categories of record are closed to public access:
- at the request of the owner or depositor
- because the owner or depositor may have imposed copying conditions
- because a publication may be within copyright
- as photocopying may not be possible because of the physical condition of the document.
If you wish to carry out research into the life of someone who lived within the last 100 years you may find that the records you need to look at have restricted access under the terms of the Data Protection Act.
Supporting document
West Sussex Record Office statement on intersectionality
The collections held by West Sussex Record Office (WSRO) span over 1,000 years and reflect the attitudes and perspectives of different times. In some cases, these collections will include content that we now recognise as outdated, offensive, or discriminatory.
West Sussex Record Office retains original documents which may contain offensive views, language, or visual content in order to provide a complete historical record and to preserve the authenticity of the record. WSRO does not endorse said language or attitudes.
As part of an ongoing project, we are working to identify records and existing catalogue entries which contain offensive content and, if necessary, provide content warnings and/or additional context.
We are keen to continue to identify problematic material in the archive. If you encounter items in the archive or catalogue records which contain discriminatory or offensive language or views, please email us at record.office@westsussex.gov.uk or phone 01243 753602.