Genealogy Chat

I have used Hampshire Records Office quite a few times, and they are extremely efficient and extremely freindly. Currently one of the best run and organised Record Offices out there.

I dont know about Winchester office, but I cannot praise the Nottingham office enough.

Last night I sent an email to my local office and a few moments ago I received a reply detailing the reference numbers of the information I asked about.

Hopefully tomorrow I shall be able to see my father's school records. I can't wait!!!

Jac XX

I'd just like to endorse all that has been said about Winchester Records Office. Great staff, nice environment to research in and handily placed.
As stated, if driving book a space in advance as it's free. If you forget/don't get a space, there is a public car park next door (but that isn't free). Book a reader to save disappointment and if it's your first visit to a County Records Office take ID, then you'll get a CARN card which you can use as ID at many other offices too. Give them a call, they'll sort you out.
Almost forgot, have a pound coin (refundable) for a locker!

Quote - What records will they hold that I cannot access over the internet? - end quote

Everything that isn't a genuine image of the original document.

Finding transcriptions on line or anywhere else only helps you locate the parish and dates to help you find the originals in the records offices. Theres nothing like seeing the originals with your own eyes. Its the only way to be certain you have things correct.

The staff at Winchester couldn't be more helpful. Its a great place to visit.

If you are going to Winchester it is a good idea to book a fiche reader.
The Record Office is a few yards from the train station, but if you are driving book a car park space ( free I think?) at the Record Office. They have very limited number of car spaces, but we've always been lucky if we've booked ahead.
If you've not been to an archives office before, take some form of I.D.


Gwyn

Thank you everybody. It sounds like it will be worth the trip to Hampshire

Have a look here

http://calm.hants.gov.uk/DServe/

You can do a search and see some of the items listed that may be of interest.
Hampshire Record Office have an online catalogue of their holdings, I believe.
Their opening hours are really long and the staff helpful.

Marriage registers are great to view because you see the actual handwriting of the couple and witnesses.
You can take prints for a fraction of the cost of a certificate and the information will be identical for marriages.

Gwyn

You might get extra details (ie. names of godparents on a baptism, addresses, names of witnesses at a marriage) that aren't available if you were to look up the same marriage/christening on Family Search (for instance).

Also the records office will probably have records for almost all the churches in the area you are looking for (not many Catholic records are available on Family Search, as an example, but the Anglican ones quite often - although not always - are, so if I am looking up my ancestors in Aughton in Lancashire, I can find the Anglican ones on Family Search but there are lots of Catholic ones who appear not to be there).

I think you can also find quite a bit of background information like town directories etc in the records office, and I think possibly wills, too.

The main problem with internet records is that they have been transcribed by humans, sometimes twice and we all make mistakes at times!

Tina

i also live in hampshire and portsmouth is my local records office

they will have all parish records.
I found lots of information which was not online

Can anybody tell me the advantages of visiting the actual records office of the area I am researching (Hampshire). What records will they hold that I cannot access over the internet?