Genealogy Chat

Brenda I can't make the 5th of March as I'm still up in Scotland. But I'm moving back down in April so will be game for a future trip as I have a heap of stuff to look up. Maybe worth pointing out for the first timers going on the 5th - in the self service room they have on microfiche the GRO indexes i.e. what you pay to see on 1837online. I always take a handful of GRO looks up with me for when I'm waiting for documents to be retrieved or if I need time out from what I'm looking at to work it through in my head Hope you all have a fantastic time Zoe

There are engineering works on my line on Saturday. I will be setting off a little earlier than anticipated and catching a bus for the first part of the journey. This should not make any difference to my planned arrival time of 9am, but for any earlybirds arriving before I do please DO NOT PANIC! I shall be on my way. B

I'm really looking forward to it! I think I'll be on same train to Richmond as some other people in the group. Was thinking of getting the R68 bus to Kew, as it goes straight to the Archive. Thought this might be easier than Tube. Also, quick query, if you have to check in your bags, are you allowed to carry a folder with all your notes in? I wanted to bring a file so that I could check out people on the GRO index, which Zoe so helpfully mentioned. See you all there!!!! Natalie

Hi Natalie I'm on automatic pilot first thing in the morning, so make my way straight for the tube. Unless the buses are very frequent, the tube is going to be quicker at that time. They are at least one every ten minutes, you just have to cross platforms and there's usually one waiting so you can get straight on. You are not allowed to take more than twenty loose sheets into the research room (just in case you try to walk off with something valuable!). There is not a lot of space to spread yourself out and you will find it easier to look things up if you have a list on a single page. Also, don't bring anything you can't replace. If you lost original certificates or notes, you'd be devastated. B

Hi Brenda Thanks very much for that. I'll type up some notes on a single sheet to take in with me. Thanks for the tip about the tube, as well! Natalie

Hi Jay I checked the full rules, which say no bags, containers etc and that you are only permitted to take transparent containers in. They have clear carrier bags that you can put notes, photocopies in. You might be asked to remove a bumbag as some of the documents are small enough to be slipped inside one. I have a credit card sized wallet that I keep all my valuables in and have not heard anything to suggest that the lockers are not secure. Hope this helps B

I feel the same as you, Pat! Look forward to meeting you on Saturday! Have you ordered documents in advance to look at? I'm struggling a bit with which documents I need exactly. There seem to be so many sections and sub-sections! Perhaps I'll just take my chances on the day, as it will hopefully be the first of many visits!! Best wishes Natalie

Brenda I would have loved to have gone with you. Perhaps we can do it again later. Pauline

Have just found your chat thread on Genes Reunited and you all sound so excited about your visit and so you should be - I had a wonderful time. I went with a vague idea of what I was looking for - information on a great uncle who died in Rhodesia in 1929 and came away with a mountain of copied documents relating to his death including hand written letters from his father to the foreign office regarding winding up his estate. I was thrilled and we cannot wait to go again. Take a deep breath, tread bodly and ask for help. Everyone who seems to know what they are doing was a 'first timer' once. Don't forget your ID so you can get your readers tickets and the clear plastic bags are freely available in the locker room. Pencils only remember and you will need the plastic money as they have a wonderful book shop. It's set in lovely grounds and if the weather is kind you can sit outside - ha ha! I hope everyone has a good a day as I did. I am off to SoG on Friday to dig for more goodies. Regards Christine in Bedfordshire

Are we all ready then? Pencils sharpened and notebooks in clear plastic bags? Reader tickets booked? Passports/Driving licences at the ready? Bottle of water? Alarm clock set for 6 am (eek!). Credit cards for the shop? Let me know if I've forgotten anything vital! Look forward to seeing you all there tomorrow! Best wishes Natalie

Natalie I have my Kew readers' ticket and my clear plastic bag with sharpened pencils, paper and notes. I have also pre-booked 3 documents in advance and have printed out the train times. The difficult bit will be getting up tomorrow so early and in such cold weather!!! See you there. nell

I look forwards to seeing everyone who can make it tomorrow. As I shall be leaving the house an hour before I usually wake up, I'll be off the boards at 10pm tonight. Hopefully, tomorrow's weather will be better than today's and NOT include snow. I will make sure that there is someone in the entrance until 10am if necessary. Should anyone arrive later than that, I will be in the microform room (on the first floor, turn right and go through the glass door at the end of the corridor. I have name labels for everyone, so we should all be recognisable!

Good luck to everyone tomorrow - hope you have a lovely time. Do tell us how you get on. Id love to come, but apart from it being my birthday and son is coming for weekend, we are snowbound up here - no trains running today! Hope its nice weather for you all.