Genealogy Chat

Are there any other people who would like to go to different archives, records offices etc, but do not have a clue where to start. I was wondering do the record offices do group introductions or anything so that us novices can get the best out of the places we visit. I live in South London and would happily do look ups for people if I knew where to start!! If there isn't this service, perhaps there is a gap in the market for someone as I would pay to be shown around a records office and given advice!!

I have not had too much experience but have been to the FRC at Islington and my local LDS Family Centre. In both places there are people only too willing to help. In the FRC the Record Books are easy to find, different colours for Births, Deaths and Marriages. They can be a bit heavy but I found the excitement of being able to search all the records made me forget how tired I was - until I was on the train coming home! The census's I have no experience of but again there are people there who will help. In the Family Centre, certainly in my local one, the helpers are extremely helpful and other researchers are only too happy to give advice or help. Don't be frightened to give it a try, it is well worth it. Kathleen

Hi Anna, Tbe PRO at Kew, do introductory sessions, in fact they insist on it. When you register, on your first visit, they have someone take you round, show you where everything is, how the indexing systems work, etc. Very helpful. The LMA (just round the corner from FRC) are very helpful too. Debbie

In the FRC are the gro ref in books then cos I find scanning through the microfiche make me go slighlty dizzy, so I never get very far.

Hi Siobhan, Yes, huge great big ones that weigh a ton!!! But very easy on the eye. Debbie

my next visit will be to there then, I find a book much easier to the eye that microfiche, the flickering makes me dizzy.