Genealogy Chat

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

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 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.

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

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?

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

TRAVEL AND MEET UP DETAILS The restaurant at Kew opens at 9am and the search rooms at 9.30am. I travel by public transport and will aim to be there by 9am. The meet up point will be immediately on your right in the entrance hall. You go through the green revolving doors, have your bags checked by security, then turn through 180 degrees. I believe there is ample parking in the car park. For those coming by train it is a well-signposted five minute walk from Kew Gardens station. The National Rail website usually only shows details of engineering work two or three weeks in advance, so those unfamiliar with the journey, please check a few days beforehand. Those coming from Surrey or Sussex will find that the quickest route is to catch the fast train from Clapham Junction to Richmond. Once you get to Richmond, the tubes are about every five or ten minutes. There's usually one waiting on the platform. It's just one stop to Kew Gardens. You go through the underpass and follow the signs. If anyone is unable to get to Kew by 9.30am, please let me know. I will post further details over the next few days. Meanwhile, would people add to the thread, to indicate they’ve seen the details. Thanks

Hi Mike No problems. You'll be very welcome. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but are you currently in Oz, but coming to the UK in July? If so, will you have internet access while over here? And if you have only one bite at the cherry, do you know exactly what you want to look at? The ordering system is brilliant and documents arrive very quickly (unless, as I discovered last week, they are being used in an exhibition) but even so the time goes alarmingly quickly.

Hi Brenda, I would like to join the group for Kew on the 30th if there is still room. Look forward to your reply. Mike

Thank you to everyone who has sent a personal message to confirm they are coming. With the site at its current speed, it may prove easier to add to this thread, rather than messaging me direct.

Hi Fi Looking forwards to seeing you again in July. Lyla, thanks for the details of the exhibition. With an ancestor who did NOT see action at Trafalgar, his ship being laid up for repairs at the time, I'm looking forwards to exploring it.

Hi Brenda, Yep Im still interested. Thanks Fi

Alison, I've put you on the list.

Is this your man, Steve? BT 372/1091/143 R408483 HURLEY W 30/10/1926 GLASGOW He's in the catalogue. I've never looked at a seaman's pouch before, but there's always a first time!

Hello all, Steve From New Zealand, How i would love to vist Kew,and maybe this is not the place to ask but, Would some kind person be able to do a look up for me when they are down in Kew My father came to New zealand Via jumping ship in and around 1950-52,I can only guess but i would have thought he would have had to join the Merchant navy to be able to get a job onboard ship ??, So if someone could help me ,here's the hard bit his name, born William bill Hurley (b.30 oct 1926 glasgow) but here in New Zealand he was known as Bill William Fraser(taken his mothers maiden name) so i don't know which name he would have used to enlist Any help on this would be wonderfull and i know this is asking alot kind regards steve

Hi Brenda I would love to go, can you add my name to the list please. Ta Alison

Hi Louise, Vivienne and Pat Glad you are all able to come!

Hi Brenda, Hope you are well and just to confirm that I still want to come along. I've got a growing list of things to look up and I'm really looking forward to this visit. Louise