Visit the Archives

*If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Office will be closed the day before (Friday). If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the Office will be closed the next day (Monday).

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New to researching at an archive? Never fear! Our staff is here to help guide you through our collections.

Before your visit

•   Know what information you are trying to find. The more precise and specific you are, the better we can assist you. For instance, if you are wanting to research wolves in Wyoming, do you want to find historic laws regulating hunting and trapping of wolves? Do you want to read about encounters with early settlers in the state? Do you want to learn about early conservation/eradication efforts?

•   Gather your research notes. Bring the information you already have if you are looking to fill in the gaps. For example, if you are working on family genealogical research and are specifically interested in the marriages and deaths of family members, bring your notes on the family, including names, known dates, locations, etc.

•   Check out our online databases. By checking the databases before you visit, you will be able to devote more of your visit to the records you cannot access at home. Click here to view the Databases & Inventories page.

•   Bring your flash drive. You can download free scans  of documents saved to your flash drive via our copy machine. Plan on bringing a flash drive from home, although we can also loan you one for use in the reading room. Copies from microfilm or paper copies from the copier are $0.25 each ($0.10 for student projects).

•   Let us know you are coming. Many of our records, especially court cases and government records, are stored at our off-site warehouse. Please give us 24 hours notice of your visit and let us know which records you are wanting to view so we can make sure they are available for you.

During your visit

• Be prepared to check your coat and bags. In order to keep our records safe for future generations of researchers and to keep the space clear of tripping hazards, we will ask you to place your coats and bags (including purses) in one of the lockers at the front of the room. Loose notes, computers, pencils and cell phones are allowed at the tables.
   
• Use WyoCOMET (online collection database), our card catalog, and finding aid binders. Currently in beta testing, WyoCOMET allows users to search our collections broadly. Also check out the card catalog during your visit as it is still the best way to find non-government records. Finding aids in binders will guide you through our county and state records. We do have a full, text-only database of our photos that is only available in the Reading Room. Access is also available to our online resources.
   
• Make copies and note where you found them. Making copies allows you to review a document you found in the archives once you get back home. But be sure you write what it is and where you found it on the copy. The notation will help you when you organize your research, share a document with others, or create a bibliography.
   
• Talk to our staff. We have decades of combined research experience with our records, so by all means, ask us for help! Just remember, the more precise you can be about what you are looking for, the better we can help.

Unable to visit us in person?

We offer research help! Staff and dedicated volunteer researchers can assist with research and make copies. We just ask that you keep the size of your request manageable, as we are only able to devote 1 staff hour to each person’s request. Email is preferred, but you can also mail, call or fax your request.

Wyoming State Archives
Barrett Building
2301 Central Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002

307-777-7826
fax 307-777-7044