Genealogy Chat

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Hi Everyone I'm off next month to visit my Mum in Eastbourne, and whilst I'm down there we plan to take a trip over to Lewes one day to the Records Office to see the family documents, which a branch of my Gran's family deposited there last year. We also plan to look up some inquest reports and also parish records if we have time. I've never been to a Records Office before and only have a vague idea of how it works through threads on here, such as having to put your belongings in a locker and only being allowed to take pencils and notes in. Can anybody who's been there please give me some advice - do We need readers tickets and can these be ordered in advance, how much change do I need for the photocopier (!) etc. As we're only going for a day we want to make the most of our visit and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help Rachelxx

Rachel, its always best to have a look at their website - most offices have them and that will tell you essential stuff like opening hours and what records are there etc.

If you haven't found it yourself, by googling... http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/localandfamilyhistory/esro/visit/ Christine

Thank you for that Heather & Christine - I'll have a look!

Hi Rachel I can't speak from knowledge of East Sussex, but I would imagine most ROs work on similar lines. You will only need a Readers Ticket if you want to look at original documents. Parish records are almost certainly on fiche (take your glasses), but I don't know about inquest reports. To get a Readers Ticket you need a passport sized photo and proof of identity (driving licence, passport or some such). Usually they are then issued on the spot. Take lots of £1 coins (for lockers etc) and 50p pieces (for photocopiers etc). I would recommend an A4 size spiral bound notebook for the copious notes you will be taking. I took a loose-leaf pad my first time and had to write the place and date at top of each page in case they later got separated - which of course they have. Spiral bound so that you can fold it back on itself easily to write in it - space for writing pads can be at a premium between a row of fiche machines. Lots of bottled water (which will have to be left in your locker) - the air conditioning can be very drying, although if this heat keeps up it will be a lovely place to be! I am inclined to add Kendal Mint Cake - on the basis that you won't want to stop to eat! But actually, you need to make yourself pause for your packed lunch to rest your eyes (and your brain). Plan what you want to look for beforehand and WRITE A LIST. It's all too easy to get distracted. Having said that, some of the 'distractions' are most amusing. I found 2 excommunications in the last set of parish records I looked at! Above all, enjoy. You simply can't fail to. Tina PS Some ROs allow you to photograph some documents, so if you have a digital camera, take it with you. So much easier than copying out 24 pages of old writing.

Thank you so much Tina, Christine & Ann - that's really good advice. I can't wait to go now!