Genealogy Chat

I hope to visit records office in Northampton soon, my first time looking at microfiche, my eyesight is not too good even with glasses, are they easy to read, has anyone any tips that would help.

KC

Microfiche and microfilm are both a mixture of good and bad, you get quite a lot of good readable entries but some of the older ones can be faint, or small writing and running into each other, plus you have to be careful of mis spellings.

We usually take a large magnifying glass with us as well as glasses, but try not to spend too much time in front of the machine, things become a bit blurred after a while and it helps to have a little break.

Good luck, hope you get what you want, if it is your first time to a record office dont forget I.D. and it might be a good idea to phone first in case you have to book. Some Record Offices like you to do this.

It depends what sort of records you are looking at, some are clearer than others. Some you wonder if the vicar was too sparing with the ink, they're so pale, others are like reading a well written handwritten account.
The machines usually have an alternate manification lens, just by a quick turn of the lens. I have seen people use their own magnifying glass too.

Sometimes the writing in old records looks very daunting, but after a while you do get used to the style of writing and it becomes easier.
There is often the facility to take photcopies of the records. They are very useful because you can then bring them home and browse and decipher at your own pace.

Thank you Marilyn
Magnifying glass good idea, and the rest of your advise to.

kc

Thanks Gwyn

I need all the help I can get.

kc