Genealogy Chat

Brenda Have read meetup details and look forward to seeing you and everyone else, as well as getting to see the document that was being used last time! nell

morning Brenda, A.OK with me,i am still not sure how i am geting there yet?(from Manningtree Essex) dont no if to get the train or drive?

Hi Brenda Just to confirm ive seen the meet up details. Julie

Hi Joan This looks like the fastest route by train from Manningtree. It only involves one change, at Stratford. Station Dep Travel by Operator MANNINGTREE 07:18 Train ONE RAILWAY arrives STRATFORD LONDON 08:10 STRATFORD 08:22 Train SILVERLINK TRAIN SERVICES LTD. arrives KEW GARDENS 09:16 DURATION: 1:58 If you feel the start is impossibly early, don't worry. If I know what time you are coming, I can make sure I am in reception for you. I will be wearing the GR tee shirt (white, with the four person logo) so I should be recognisable.

PLANNING IN ADVANCE The National Archives at Kew hold masses of records, but they are not the first port of call if you are interested in civil registration or censuses. There are several sites that you can browse free of charge, like Times Online and some of the censuses on Ancestry. You can download medal cards and PCC wills for free, only paying if you want to make copies, but the best place to do this is the Family Record Centre. If you’ve not done so already, visit their website at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ to find out whether they have the records you want, if there is a research guide on the subject, and WHAT PROOFS OF IDENTITY YOU NEED TO OBTAIN A READER’S TICKET. You need a reader’s ticket even if you only want to look at microform records. First time visitors can apply in advance for a reader’s ticket, picking up the ticket on the day. You can also order a maximum of three documents in advance. We are interested in a wide range of records. If you want to look at original documents, please don’t wear anything that will suffer. The older the document, the dirtier it is. Your hands can get absolutely black.

Hi Brenda, Just checking in to let you know that I've read all the updates. I'm really looking forward to the day. Louise

Hi Brenda Now in Uk. Thnks for the advice. Top of my list is to search for WO 3 war service records for my grandfather. I have the medal rolls ref. Will visit the website for readers ticket info. Thanks Mike

Hi Brenda, Thanks for the update. I started to panic a little about finding my way from Chessington to Kew so my son or d.i.l will drop me at a station & pick me up after. Thats a relief, see you on the 30th Vivienne

Hi Brenda, Do you have room for another one, please? I was hoping to go to Kew in the near future, but would not know where to start, so would appreciate being able to join your tour. I know 2 people who I think are already going. If it's OK, please advise me of the arrangements. Regards Anna (still rather new to all of this)

Hi Mike Your name is on the list. Look forwards to meeting you. Hi Anna No problem, I've put you down as well, you'll be very welcome. As this site continues to be so slow, I'm putting all information details on this thread now, rather than personal messaging it to everyone. I shall be rather tied up with work and family for the next few days, but should be back on the boards by next weekend if anyone has any queries.

Will be adding last minute details soon. Meanwhile, it's not too late if you'd like to join us.

Hi Brenda Bearing in mind what has happened lately, i have decided that i wont come on the visit on July 30th. This is not so much because i am worried, but my family would prefer if i didnt. Hope you understand. I will keep an eye on the site and see when the next visit is. Hope you all enjoy yourselves, take care. Regards Alison

Hi Alison My brother only goes up to London once a fortnight on a Thursday, to run a clinic at University College Hospital, so I do know where your family is coming from. (Though Kew itself is probably one of the safer places to be: bag searches, good evacuation procedures and unlikely to be a target as few members of the general public know its name or care about what it contains.) I hope you'll be able to come on a future trip. Best wishes Brenda

Hi Brenda, Just to let you know that unless you decide to cancel, I will definitely be at Kew on the 30th. Looking forward to meeting everyone Vivienne

Thanks Vivienne I shall be going come hell or high water, but I do appreciate that some people, particularly if making the journey by public transport or for the first time, may wish to defer their visit.

Hi Brenda Given my current predicament, Kew is off the agenda for this visit, unfortunately, but _please_ let me know when the next one is arranged cos I do desperately need to go! Lou x

Hi Lou Let's do it the other way round, shall we? Once you're sorted out, let me know, and I'll make sure that it's a date that suits you! Take care, girl.

Brenda, I am still coming. Looking forward to meeting you all. Fi

Brenda, I'm really sorry but I'm going to have to pull out of this trip. A last minute family event is now taking place on Saturday and there is a 3-line whip on attendance. I am very sorry to miss yet another Kew trip as I have a few things to look up. Thanks again for organising and I hope to see you at a future event. Have fun, Louise

Final details are listed below in a separate message. To make the best use of your day, first time visitors may find it helpful to register for a reader's ticket on-line. If you wish to look at original documents, these can be ordered in advance. We are meeting in the entrance hall between 9 and 9.30. Please let me know in advance if you anticipate being late, or something unforeseen has happened and you are unable to come. During the morning, I will be in the microform room, so if you are late, you should be able to find me. Hope you all have a good day.