Reading and Documentary Information
1 - May I address you in English, as I cannot speak or write Portuguese?
You’re welcome! Do feel free to address us in English.
2 - Do you keep marriage, birth or death records of British citizens?
We keep the original birth, marriage and death records of people belonging to the Catholic Church, some of them foreigners, from 1538 (baptisms, Sé) to 1911. We also keep lists of births, marriages and deaths of people belonging to the English Church (1844-1911) and to the Presbiterian Church (1804-1911), as well as of people buried in the British cemetery between 1836 to 1911.
3 - I am trying to set up my family tree and am looking for information on my Portuguese family. How do I get information about my family?
First, have a look at our website www.arquivo-madeira.org and search the marriage records database and the Porto Santo baptism records database online. Search databases. Find out about baptism and marriage records indexes published by us.
4 - I would like to have a certificate of the birth record of my grandfather. What information do you need to search?
It helps very much if you can give us the names of your grandfather’s parents and of his wife. It also helps if you know where and approximately when he was born. Do tell us if you know when he left Madeira, with whom and what was his destination.
5 - I would like to order vital records of members of my family. How much money must I send?
As a rule, a certificate of a birth, marriage or death record costs 15 euros (including mail expenses). If it’s just a photocopy you need, the price depends on the number of pages of the document. Have a look at our Price List. We cannot search death records unless you tell us precisely when and where the person died.
6 - As I understand it, most of the records I seek will be written in Portuguese. Do you have a paid search service?
We do exceptionally carry out searches for specific documents, according to the availability of our staff. Our charge is based on 15 euros for the first hour, then 20 euros per hour from the second hour onwards.
7 - How can I get copies of the records I’m interested in? Will they be hard copies or digital images you can mail me?
We can provide photocopies, print-outs and copies made onto other media such as CD-ROMs. We can also mail you digital scans. Here is a Price List for copy charges 
pdf .
8 - Can you translate the records I’m interested in?
We do not have a translation service. Contact us slc@arquivo-madeira.org and learn how to resort to independent researchers, the British Consulate or the language schools existing in Madeira.
9 - Can you recommend someone to search the records for me?
Contact us slc@arquivo-madeira.org and learn how to hire an independent researcher. The independent researchers are not employees of The Regional Archives of Madeira, but work in a private capacity, so any arrangements made are a private matter between you and the researcher. We do not accept any responsibility and cannot arbitrate on any disagreements between enquirers and researchers.
10 - Can you help me to find possibly existing extended family?
No, we cannot provide that kind of information.
Gathering, organisation and description of historical documentation
11 – How can I get information on the recently incorporated batches?
To obtain information on recently incorporated batches, just consult the heading Latest Additions on our site.
12 – Does the Madeira Regional Archives (ARM) accept donations or deposits of documents and books?
Yes, it is the responsibility of ARM to promote the acquisition of archival and bibliographical assets of special value, namely through deposit, donation or incorporation. Any request should be sent to the Administration of the ARM, by e-mail (arm@arquivo-madeira.org) or letter.
However, the ARM reserves the right to evaluate the documentation in question. The act of delivery is formalised by the signing of a Deposit Agreement, or an Act of Donation, the terms of which are previously agreed upon between the parties.
13 – How do I get information on the norms and regulations related to the organisation and description of the historical documentation?
There are international norms that you should be aware of in the perspective of exchange and compatibility between information systems, whether manual or automated. Examples include the General International Standard Archival Description, or ISAD (G), and the International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families, or ISAAR (CPF). The Portuguese versions of these norms are on our website at Historical archives and private holders of historical documentation
14 – Does the Madeira Regional Archives give technical support to institutions or private citizens who are holding historical documentation?
Yes, the Madeira Regional Archives (ARM) provides technical support to institutions or private citizens who are holding historical documentation.
However, this support depends mostly on various conditioning factors, taking into account the limitations of the ARM in having qualified personnel available for the task. We recommend you read the criteria for the granting of technical support.
Administrative Archives
15 – What type of technical support does the Madeira Regional Archives give to the Public Administration?
The Madeira Regional Archives provides technical support to the archives of the Public Administration within the scope of procedures for:
– the design and implementation of classification plans,
– the preparation and implementation of decrees for document management,
– the preparation of reports on the evaluation of accumulated documents,
16 – When and how should a case be opened?
Each new subject has the right to its case file: you should gather together all the documents related to a subject, annex each letter to the respective answer, regroup the main part and those that support it. Avoid leaving isolated documents out of place because of the risk of losing them, and classify without delay any and all original documents in their respective case file. Each case file is an individual case: it is characterised by its object and not by its composition, which may be quite varied (it may contain reports, correspondence, accounting documents, etc.).
17 – What measures should be taken before destroying documents?
In the absence of instruments of reference (tables, decrees), the destruction of documents is to be avoided.
In the Region, public institutions must of necessity consult the Regional Archives for the preparation of decrees on the evaluation, selection, and destruction of documents.
Any organisation must take care to be informed of the legal provisions in effect, namely in regard to legal, financial and accounting documents.
It is always advisable to contact the Madeira Regional Archives through arquivosadm@arquivo-madeira.org
Conservation and Restoration
18 – Does the Madeira Regional Archives execute services of binding and restoration at the request of private citizens?
No, the Madeira Regional Archives is not yet in a position to execute services of binding and restoration at the request of private citizens. However, and within the limitations of possibilities, we intend to begin this service in 2008.
19 – What type of support in the area of conservation and restoration does the Madeira Regional Archives give to the Public Administration or private citizens?
The Madeira Regional Archives provides counselling on the installation of archives, the conditions for conservation and preservation, the transfer or substitution of support media. However, this technical support is subject to conditions.
We recommend you read the heading Services of Preservation, Conservation and Restoration on our site.
20 – Are there any basic precautions to take to guarantee that documents are well conserved materially?
Yes, there are some basic precautions to be taken to guarantee that documents are conserved well, beginning with the definition of proper spaces for the installation of the archives and instituting a regular programme of cleaning. We recommend the use of non-acid paper for the most important documents, storing the documents in good quality file folders. Do not used elastic bands (they dry out and break), nor pins or clips (they rust and may ruin the documents). Consider duplicating the important documents (microfilming, scanning).
Educational Service/ Cultural Extension
21 – Does the Madeira Regional Archives have activities for schools?
Yes, the Educational Service of the Madeira Regional Archives is principally designed for contact with schools. It organises permanent and occasional activities, as well as giving guided tours or organised actions in accordance with the requests made by the schools. To become better acquainted with the activities of the Educational Service, we recommend you read the heading Educational Service / Cultural Extension on our site.
22 – Is it possible to sign up for the activities of the Educational Service at any time of the year?
Preferably, the time to sign up for the activities of the Educational Service is in the month of September, at the time when the Madeira Regional Archives will divulge its educational programme to the schools. In any event, you can sign up. Contact us ecultural.edu@arquivo-madeira.org
23 – How can I get acquainted with the installations of the Madeira Regional Archives?
You can get acquainted with the installation of the Regional Archives by signing up for the activity “Community Open Day” which is held every quarter. For more information go to Educational Service /CulturalExtension
24 – How can I rent the auditorium of the Madeira Regional Archives?
To rent the auditorium, you will have to fill out the form which is also available on our site and await confirmation.
To learn about the conditions for use, you are advised to read the heading Use of Auditorium
Training / Traineeships
25 – What type of training does the Madeira Regional Archive give?
The Madeira Regional Archive provides training and traineeship opportunities in the areas of archivist, restoration and transfer of document support media. These actions are published in advance on our site and in the press.
26 – How can I become a candidate for training or a traineeship?
The Madeira Regional Archive publicises the training actions on its website, in the local press or through circular letters to the Public Administration.
Candidates for training or a traineeship position must enrol through our site or by sending their request to the Administration of the Madeira Regional Archive, or the competent service.
VERSÃO PORTUGUESA 
