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Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (HALS) is the county record office for Hertfordshire, England. It houses the former Hertfordshire Record Office and the former Hertfordshire Local Studies Library. It collects and preserves archives, other historical documents and printed material relating to the county of Hertfordshire and the Diocese of St Albans from the 11th to the 21st century. HALS is located in Hertford, in the Register Office Block adjacent to County Hall.

Archive Collection

 * Official records of the County council, Borough Councils, District Councils, Town Councils and Parish councils along with their predecessors
 * Records for hospitals, workhouses, police, local courts, and schools
 * Diocesan and other church/parish records including the Diocese of St Albans official records and registers for Anglican parishes. These include baptism, marriage and burial registers from the 16th century onwards
 * Registers of baptisms, marriages and burials in non-conformist chapels from the 17th century onwards
 * Other archives from Hertfordshire estates, families, societies, charities, and voluntary groups
 * Manuscript and printed plans including estate plans, tithe maps, enclosure maps, valuation office maps, and large county maps by Andrew Bryant, and by Dury and Andrews

Local Studies Collection

 * Parish registers and wills on microfilm
 * Books including county, town and village histories
 * Journals
 * Historical and modern newspapers such as the Hertfordshire Mercury and the Welwyn & Hatfield Times.
 * Kelly's directories and old telephone directories
 * Census returns 1841-1891 via Findmypast.co.uk
 * Old and modern Ordnance Survey, town directories and other mapping
 * Photographs and other image collections

Services
HALS is open 9am - 7.30pm on Tuesdays, 9am - 5pm Wednesday to Friday and 9am - 1pm every Saturday. There is a searchroom for requesting and viewing original documents, a local studies library and computers for public use.

Apart from its enquiry service, HALS also offer talks and group visits, learning sessions for schools or further education bodies, copying of documents and a paid research service for people unable to visit in person. HALS also has a conservation studio to help support its preservation objectives.