Genealogy Chat

On Wednesday I found on TNA site the record that holds the ww1 service record of my 2xggf (very unusual name) So I used the service of 'request an estimate' and gave them instuctions that I wanted printed copies of all pages relating to 'Joe Bloggs'. They got back to me within a couple of hours and said it would cost £12.40 as there were 31 pages!!!! Well, in the meantime I finalised plans to actually go to Kew (with Genes lot!!) so did not bother with the order......Instead, I thought I would pre-order the microfilmed record in advance of my visit (this was last night) Only to be told that this document was stored off site!!!??? And I needed to give 3 working days notice....I am so fed up....I was really looking forward to viewing this doc, I thought they kept all ww1 docs on site....Any suggestions why this doc is not kept onsite? Deb

What's the reference for it? Which regiment was he in? Don't know why it would be stored off site, but if you can answer my 2 questions, I'll have a think!

Hi Ann The ref is WO 363/E 395 And his details are - Samuel Emo , Army Service Corps 7120 Private Private Labour Corps 298051 Private What I don't understand is when I requested an estimate for these details they were able to tell me that there were 31 pages relating to him, so they must have viewed the record?? Deb

Debs It's probably something as simple as having space for storage. Your message was probably relayed to the storage 'hub' and they fed that information back to the general enquiries to tell you. Don't think it's anything to worry about it's a big place but obviously not everything can be stored there (I think!!)

Hi Snowdrops.. I know the National Archives do have an off-site storage place (I think it's in Cheshire) But they only use that for records that are not viewed regualary.....WO363 series is a very popular!!! Deb

That's true Debs but your Mr Emo is so mysterious I think he was a spy and they don't usually leave spy files lying round the place - lol. Yeah, see what you mean though - have you asked them why it's off-site?

I see no reason why WO363 records should be offsite. I and hundreds of others look at these all the time!! 31 pages is an awful lot - most only have 5 or so, or less. I'd be happy to look at them for you, but would have to charge you for copying so many! (25p a sheet) Let me know.

Now I'm even more intrigued by his 31 pages!!! I shall try again tommorow while I'm there....Maybe, someone else had ordered that record and instead of them saying so they just said it was off-site??? anyway....all is not lost, I went back onto my estimate page today and ordered printed copies....It cost me nearly £15 with p&p and hopefully I should have it in about 2 weeks!!! Thanks for your imput Deb

Sorry, didn't realise you were going there! (didn't read your message properly). Good Luck!.

Sorry Snowdrops....Missed your post!! Yes!...My Mr Emo is quite mysterious...hopefully I'll uncover something really scandulous!!!!! And no, I haven't asked them why as I did it all online....I might ask them when I get there.....I can't wait, I haven't been before!!!! Deb

You'll love it Debs, especially if you get to hold any original records - enjoy it!!!

You don't need to preorder the microfilmed WW1 records. WO363 films are on open access in the microfilm room which is self service. Perhaps they therefore thought you were ordering the original documents, which ARE kept off site.