First visit to TNA, Kew

[JayG]

Hoping to get to Kew for the first time shortly.

Interested in any hints & tips, & how your first visit went down.

[Velma Dinkley]

Hi Jay, first of all make sure that you have all the correct ID, including photo ID to get your reader's ticket. If you're driving you will need to pre-book your parking space now and there's a charge for it too. Work out what you want to look at before you go, noting the reference numbers, and then when you get your ticket you can order these at the terminals there. Ask for a seat by the window and you can use your camera (no flash) which saves on photocopying.

There's more info on visiting here... http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/

[annswabey]

You can only order 3 documents at a time so if you have a lot to get through in a day, order 3 then as soon as they are in your locker (you can check exactly the stage your order has reached on the computers there), order 3 more.

[JayG]

Thanks Rachel, i've got ID on the top of the list, i'd be pretty gutted to go all that way & get turned away for not having the right stuff!

I've read some of the guides but it's always good to hear from people that have been before.

If my memory serves me correct you visited a while ago & looked at railway staff records, was that easy enough & did you find what you were looking for?

[JayG]

Thanks Ann, have made a note of that. One thing I want to look up is my Chancery case which has several refs & no doubt will produce several more!

[annswabey]

Oh yes, the Chancery case - you may be there some time, then!

[Velma Dinkley]

I did but found the reference system at TNA confusing as it isn't very detailed. I actually managed to find a full list of the items held for the railway company I was interested in online (with help from an FTF member). There were quite a few ledgers and had to order the maximum I could, then wait for them to come up, before ordering more, like Ann says, so took some time. Some of the ledgers were very heavy (Peppie saw me struggle with some of them!), but after a tiring few visits of lugging ledgers around, I found out the info I wanted and am really pleased that I went

[Christine in Herts]

Thanks Rachel, i've got ID on the top of the list, i'd be pretty gutted to go all that way & get turned away for not having the right stuff!

I've read some of the guides but it's always good to hear from people that have been before.

If my memory serves me correct you visited a while ago & looked at railway staff records, was that easy enough & did you find what you were looking for?

I was hunting for GWR records. I got the wrong set of refs the first time (the old set) and found I'd ordered a couple of letters adrift. It was near the end of my day, so I added it to my list for the next visit.

I did have to sign some kind of confidentiality form, in case I found myself looking at records of people who were still alive.

Christine

[JayG]

Thanks Rachel & Christine for your input.

I've got a few people that worked on the railways, the one I most interested in is a 3 x great grandfather ca 1840 to his death in 1864. I think he'll of worked for NER or S&D(Stockton & Darlington, & the first public passenger railway).

I'm getting quite a list of things i'd like to look at, tho I know I can't do everything in one day so need to prioritize what's the most important & achievable in one day.

[Lindsay]

Thanks Ann, have made a note of that. One thing I want to look up is my Chancery case which has several refs & no doubt will produce several more!

Check whether the records you want are stored off-site (my Chancery records were) - if so, you'll have to order them 3 or 4 days in advance.

Other than that, have a list of what you want to look up, so if you don't get anywhere with one you can move on to the next - TNA can be a bit overwhelming otherwise!

Have a good day.

[Velma Dinkley]

Have you seen this page Jay?? http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...fletID=124&j=1

Although check out those reference numbers online as you might find a full list of what's in the archive as I did with the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway...

[Little Nell]

Pre-register and pre-order documents to save time.
If you are waiting for documents you can visit the library (1st floor) which has lots of info arranged by county, I've found a lot by serendipity just browsing. Other things to do if you are between documents is to go online and check out 1911 census for free.
Don't be scared about asking for help - people are very friendly.

[Velma Dinkley]

Nell - you can't pre-register anymore and can only order docs once you have the readers ticket... unfortunately :(

[Little Nell]

Oh, my apologies. You live and learn. That seems a bit of a backward step!

[Velma Dinkley]

It is indeed!! :D

[Peppie]

Go and register and order some docs then pop back downstairs for a lovely breakfast and the shop....

[JayG]

Shame you can't pre register, that would increase research time!

Made a note about breakfast! & the library.

Have bookmarked that guide Rachel, thanks.

[JayG]

Wish me luck folks, going to Kew w/c 7th June

[margaretmarch]

Have a great time! i'm hoping to make my maiden visit soon so will be interested to hear how you get on.
Margaret

[Christine in Herts]

Enjoy your visit! I'm planning to be there on 4 Jun.

Christine