Genealogy Chat

Sorry you can't come, Jean. I do need a regular fix, so hope to arrange another trip later in the year. Fi, you must have read my mind! Your finding those soldier's documents encouraged me to look for some on my own account.

Benda - you could do ''cat'' name labels ?

Brenda, Sorry I can't come, I'd love to visit again. Keep an eye on Fi, especially in the lift and what she sits on !!! LOL Love ya Fi....mwah ! Be good without me. Love Viv PS It was good to see you at Norwich Brenda.

Lol, Joy! Viv, it was great to see you again. I do hope to fix up other trips, that perhaps will suit those who can't make it on 3rd June. (And I will be keeping an eye on Fi - though I bet she'll have a new surprise up her sleeve this time. Did I say that cats weren't allowed in the searchrooms? Along with several other items!)

LOL Brenda !!! Viv

I would love to come so would my friend but I think Perth Western Australia is a little to far for a day. I have been trying to find my fathers Royal Marine Navy records for ages the Navy have told me his second world war and 1924-36 records are at Kew. But one day I will be there. Have a great day Regards Pam

List of those who'd like to come on Saturday is as follows: Chris Fi Kimberley Jay Sharon Sylvia Anyone else who'd like to come, please add to the thread. We'll meet in the entrance hall, on the bench opposite to where you have your bag checked. If you haven't been before, you will need proofs of identity to obtain a reader's card (and the cards only last three years, so please check that if you hold one it is still valid!) You can order up to three original documents in advance, which can help save you time. All the microfilms are on open access. You cannot take bags, sweets, pens or pencil sharpeners into the search rooms. TNA will supply clear carrier bags for your notes. These will be searched when you leave. There is a water cooler and a cafe onsite - cooked foods, salads, sandwiches, snacks - or you can bring sandwiches. Do not bring anything you would regret losing and put your name and address on notebooks etc. It is much easier to decide what to do if you have a short list of what you want to look up and why, rather than bringing a sheaf of certificates and census printouts that you have to riffle through. There is also a very good bookshop! I hope I have covered the basic queries. Have a look at the website. The Catalogue, research guides, details of how to get there and their facilities can all be found at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk The search rooms open at 9.30. If you think you may be late, please let me know. I look forwards to seeing you all on Saturday!

Hi Brenda, do we need to bring any proof of relationships in order to get/order copies of rellies army records? Looking foreward to Saturday, Sylvia.

Hi Sylvia The soldiers' records held at Kew are WW1 and earlier. All these are open access and you can browse to your heart's content. It is only the post WW1 records, which are not held at Kew, that require proofs of identity.

Bumped for Debbie....sorry to bump you Pheonix but someone needs you knowledge of Kew, hope you dont mind. Suzanne

Thanks Brenda! I'll let you know what time Chris and I will be there when he confirms what time she wants me to wait under the lamp post at Kings Cross ;-) :-D Gawd help us if there are any coppers about :p although there are no WW2 service records held there are other records concerning WW2 and it's worth doing some wild card searches before hand as part of one that I ordered on line was fantastic as it was over 50 pages long, I thought I would look at the rest of it before ordering the whole lot the first 10 pages might be enough. Sharon

Yep, sorry I meant service records for WW2.

Hi, I'm from oop north and so have never been to Kew, but would love to go with any other 'virgin' members (no offense intended).And anyone with a bit of experience to show us the ropes. the only prob is i would need a couple of months notice to organise work/kids/dog/next door neighbours cat - you get the picture? and I'd probably need that time to decipher British Rail timetables anyway! So if anyone is organising a trip particularly from t'north anytime please can you post an invitation on here. Thanks Jen

Won't be able to get there tomorrow, Brenda. Please let me know when you go again just in case I can get there. Thanks.

Sorry that Kew is a bit too far/complicated for some of you to get to. I will try to arrange another visit with a bit more notice, later in the year. Unfortunately, last time I did that, several people who were really keen to start with either found that they had other commitments, or didn't let me know that they had changed their minds. As for train times.... I had to abandon attempts to join a previous meet at Norwich as engineering works cropped up at the last minute. Fingers crossed that everyone has a good journey tomorrow! If anyone does have problems or is running really late tomorrow, I don't have a mobile phone, but if you can get a message onto this thread, I can access GR from the internet cafe at Kew.

Evening Folks, just nudging up, and checking in for tomorrow! :)) Chris :)

I am still coming. See you there. Fi

I can't go - way too far, but just to say I hope you all have a great time and find what you're looking for. enjoy. Tom :-)

Night all I hope that everyone finds what they are looking for. See you tomorrow.

Message for Sharon!, hope all is ok, have sent you a message!... :))