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Company: MLA North East
Project: Archives North East

http://www.ArchivesNorthEast.com

Dates: Mar 2007 to Mar 2009

How did the project start?

Archives North East (www.archivesnortheast.com) is a web portal which aims to highlight and promote the services of archives within the north east region. The website was launched in March 2007. It facilitates submissions of research enquiries to one or more organisations to find out what they hold and any costs associated with using their services. It consists of 6 member archives, which are:

• Berwick upon Tweed Record Office
• Durham County Records Office
• Northumberland Collections Service (Archives)
• Northumberland Fusiliers Archive
• Teesside Archives
• Tyne and Wear Archives Service

The site offers users guidance on how to structure an enquiry and provides them with answers to frequently asked questions.

What options did you consider?

MLA North East were aware that there wasn't a single point of access to the excellent services provided by North East archives and felt that reducing duplication of effort within and between archives in responding to enquiries which do not lead onto paid research would benefit all those taking part, as well as promoting to a wider audience the services on offer.

What help and expertise did you receive?

MLA North East selected Fusebox Design Ltd as a suitably skilled supplier who designed the website and its content management system. Listed archives have full control of their own archive page information. The administrator of the site, has access to the content management system to adjust any text on the website. Additionally, the site links to online catalogues and external websites where appropriate.

Did you face any challenges or learn any lessons?

Promoting any new service is always a challenge but one we feel that we have successfully overcome.

"The website was an extremely useful starting point in my quest to track my ancestors to a farm in Jarrow where they lived between 1790 and 1840. I was impressed with the rapid response…because I live in France, the site has proved invaluable, while saving me a fortune in travel, by supplying expert advice at the click of a mouse.” Robert Andrews, user based in France

What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?

Over the last six months www.archivesnortheast.com has averaged 34 ‘hits’ per day. Just over 25% of visitors have moved on to archive members own web resources. This has translated as additional traffic to its members sites of 2,984 online visitors in the 11 months since March 2007.

What are your plans for the future?

To develop the service further in line with the needs of its audience.