Up till now my family history research has been limited to the Internet. Subscriptions to various sites and excellent forums like BHF have netted me copious amounts of data.
I tried many, and settled for software to record my findings and have quite a considerable collection of names.
My next step is to get the things that aren't available online so visits to the library and TNA are in order.
I was hoping that some people could share their "do's & don'ts" about these visits so as to maximise my time there.
For example:
I believe that Birmingham Library has some great information, but where do I start? I've never been in the building (shame on me) so where do I go? what should I take? are there people there who can help?
I think that a lot of my family were baptised in St Martin's and I think the records can be found in Brmingham Library. Is it a big book? Microfiche? Do I order in advance? or do I go in a pick up a book? Do I need membership?
I hope I am not alone in this, but rather than walk around aimlessly I would prefer to be armed with some knowledge.
I have read that at TNA there is a talk at 11:00 to give beginners 'the basics'. Is this worth attending? Does anyone have experiemce of their first visit? Would you do anything different?
What can you see at TNA? When I look up a marriage or birth on one of the internet sites I get a volume and page number, am I able to see this record at TNA (i.e. the marriage details) or do I see the same page as I see online?
If others are in the same boat maybe we could produce a 'sticky' that shows what to do when visiting these place (similar to Bren's excellent beginners guide)
Thanks in advance
Paul
I tried many, and settled for software to record my findings and have quite a considerable collection of names.
My next step is to get the things that aren't available online so visits to the library and TNA are in order.
I was hoping that some people could share their "do's & don'ts" about these visits so as to maximise my time there.
For example:
I believe that Birmingham Library has some great information, but where do I start? I've never been in the building (shame on me) so where do I go? what should I take? are there people there who can help?
I think that a lot of my family were baptised in St Martin's and I think the records can be found in Brmingham Library. Is it a big book? Microfiche? Do I order in advance? or do I go in a pick up a book? Do I need membership?
I hope I am not alone in this, but rather than walk around aimlessly I would prefer to be armed with some knowledge.
I have read that at TNA there is a talk at 11:00 to give beginners 'the basics'. Is this worth attending? Does anyone have experiemce of their first visit? Would you do anything different?
What can you see at TNA? When I look up a marriage or birth on one of the internet sites I get a volume and page number, am I able to see this record at TNA (i.e. the marriage details) or do I see the same page as I see online?
If others are in the same boat maybe we could produce a 'sticky' that shows what to do when visiting these place (similar to Bren's excellent beginners guide)
Thanks in advance
Paul
I do know you will need two forms of identity with you to get what is called a readers ticket..the staff will give you one when you go ..that ticket can then be used in other archives in England..good luck in your research
