[b:12x9utvp]Liverpool Record Office [/b:12x9utvp]is at the central library (known locally as The Picton) in William Brown Street, not far from the town centre. [url=http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Leisure_and_culture/Local_history_and_heritage/index.asp:12x9utvp]http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Leisure_and_cu...itage/index.asp[/url:12x9utvp]
Much of the information avalable is on microfiche. But they have those horrid microfiche readers where you have to wind with a handle, so try to order one of the electronic ones in advance - they only have a few - and make sure you check whether the corresponding printer has toner in it :angry: ! Take plenty of change for that, and for the lockers where you can store your bags etc. You may also want to go into the restricted area where they hold manuscripts, old photos and such like. I'd call in advance for that, you may need a special pass.
They seem to be fine re taking photo's. No probs so far anyway.
Don't forget to look for your family in the Probate ledgers, which are freely accessible in the research area.
And don't just restrict your search to the search room. There're lots of local research books in the academic library upstairs - ask at the desk, they can be quite helpful if you get the right librarian!
And they have a huge array of Kelly's and Gores, both on microfiche and hidden away in the back (we were lucky one day, and a really nice male librarian just went fishing in them for us out back - saved a whole heap of time on the microfiche readers!)
There's no cafe in the Library itself (and no refreshments allowed inside), but there are two in the museum a bit further down the hill [url=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/:12x9utvp]http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/[/url:12x9utvp] Or you could just walk across the road and you're in town.
Parking is limited. You pay in advance, but the maximum you can get is 2 hours - certainly not long enough when you're researching. And the parking attendants know it. Personally, I'd park somewhere outside of town, along the route of the new Liverpool South park way line, perhaps, [url=http://www.merseyrail.org/stations/?iStationId=28:12x9utvp]http://www.merseyrail.org/stations/?iStationId=28[/url:12x9utvp] and get the train in. (That station also has connections to Liverpool airport).
Also, the [b:12x9utvp]Liverpool Maritime museum, archive and library [/b:12x9utvp] [url=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/archive/:12x9utvp]http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/archive/[/url:12x9utvp] is down on the Albert Dock, right on the historic waterfront. They're very helpful in there - just ask for help if you need it and they'll point you in the right direction. There's a lot more parking in that area than there used to be with the increase in leisure and entertainment facilities in the area. If you don't get the train in as above, the new NCP is recommended, a few minutes walk along the waterfront. Again, no refreshments are allowed in there (and pencils only, no ink!) but there there's an OK cafe in the building, but plenty of others if you have time take a wander around the shops outside. The old Pump House has been turned into a bar, nice food, but gets very busy - specially in the lunch hour. Lots of historic scenery if your ancestors ever passed through the city - don't miss the Mariner's church, just past the Liver buildings.
Family-Tree.co.uk 
