An investigation into claims that material at Bermuda Archives is being withheld from the public for no reason has been launched by the Ombudsman.

Arlene Brock announced yesterday that she instigated the probe after receiving five complaints from individuals here and abroad about "arbitrary barriers preventing access to information" and "unreasonable delays" in gaining material.

The Royal Gazette tracked down eight people yesterday who said they had experienced, or were aware of, serious problems at the Archives, with one American archaeologist claiming it was being run like a "private fiefdom".

Timothy Trussell, director of the Millersville University Atlantic World Project in Pennsylvania, described how his team wasted three weeks on needless research after being told — wrongly — by Archives director Karla Hayward that no 18th century maps of Southampton were available.

He wrote to Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque to say Ms Hayward eventually produced a folder of 20 such maps when other Archives staff discovered their existence.

"It was quite exciting to find such documents, and at the same time quite disappointing that we wasted three weeks of our time in Bermuda to uncover materials that were requested, and could have been obtained, within our first hour in the Archives," wrote Dr. Trussell.

He told this newspaper yesterday that the setback prevented him and his team from doing other aspects of their research as completely as they could have.

"This should not be someone's private fiefdom," he said. "It's a tremendous shame that the extraordinary history of Bermuda is not as fully open and accessible as it should be.

"The history of Bermuda is exceptionally important, not just to Bermuda, but throughout the Atlantic world. There is so much history in Bermuda and we are hardly the only international researchers who are going to be using the Archives now or using them in the future."

Independent government watchdog Ms Brock said yesterday that complainants alleged research was being stymied due to difficulties in obtaining information and that donors were being put off contributing material of national importance.

Those who spoke to this newspaper were critical of Ms Hayward, with several claiming she ran the Archives like it was her own private collection, randomly refusing requests for information without explanation.

None apart from Dr. Trussell would be named, fearing their research could become even tougher.

One source said: "Acquiring images and source material can prove extraordinarily difficult. It's random in its access policy. It's not catalogued.

"The greatest obstacle to freedom of information happens to be, rather incongruously, the Archives. It should be in the vanguard of such a movement."

Another said: "These are supposed to be public records but it's difficult to get access and if you want anything copied it's a total and complete rigmarole. In my view, it is totally contrary to what the spirit of the place should be."

In response to a request for comment, Ms Hayward said: "I have been informed as much as you I'm afraid. I don't know anything about the complaints yet so I expect you will be better informed by Ms Brock."

Ms Brock said her focus would not be on finding fault but ensuring that "citizens' rights to public information are protected".

She said she had come to no conclusions yet but would eventually make recommendations. She is asking anyone with relevant information to call into the Ombudsman's office at 14 Dundonald Street, phone 296-6541 or e-mail info@ombudsman.bm.

* The Royal Gazette wants to hear about your experiences at Bermuda Archives. Email sstrangeways@royalgazette.bm or call 278-0155.