Getting Started: Written Enquiries for Genealogical Research

When writing to an archives, or to a public records office, keep the letter short and to the point. A specific request may be researched and answered quickly.
Mention any previous correspondence you may have had in order to avoid unnecessary or duplicate work, and mention sources which you have already consulted.
When sending your enquiry by e-mail, be sure to craft your message as a proper business letter and be certain to provide your complete name and postal address. Record repositories require this information for statistical purposes and enquiries from anonymous senders may not be taken seriously.