Genealogy Chat

Hi I am considering visting the Guildhall Library to find more information about some of my ancesters. I have already contacted Guildhall and know that they have the records for St. Sepulchre Parish that I am interested in. I have never been to a records office before and would appreciate any advice anyone can give me to help with my visit.What kind of information do I need to be armed with. Do I need to have specific dates for births, marriages etc.One ancester I am keen to trace, I have little information on, only an aprox. year of birth but I have the names of his children and there birth years. They were all born in St Sepulchre Parish. Any advice please Thanks Sue

Sue - if you don't know the exact date of the baptism or marriage it will just mean that you have to spend longer searching through for it. If you do have the exact date then it will save time, that is all. Kate.

I contacted Guildhall Library myself last week by email to ask about parish records that I was looking for in the City of London. I was hoping that since I was armed with places, dates and names from the IGI familysearch site that they could just print off the relevent records and send them to me. Apparently, due to staff shortages they can't, so suggested I go in person or pay loads of wedge to a professional researcher - not excatly possible at the moment since I live in Lancashire. From what I was told in the email, parish records are kept on microfilm, just like they are everywhere else, so you need to have some idea how to use a reader machine - it's self-service - help yourself to the appropriate roll of film and then load it and scan the pages within. If you don't know how to load or work a machine, there's usually someone around who can help. All you need to do then is fast-forward through the film and check the date or dates you are looking for. If you find an entry, you can either copy it down in a notebook or a piece of paper (pencils only, pens are frowned upon) or use a special reader-printer copier machine which usually costs about 50p a sheet, so make sure you take plenty of change. My email stated that you can enter without prior appointment, but I expect that in line with most other archives places they operate a reader card system, usually called a CARN ticket which are valid almost everywhere. You usally need proof of ID to get one, so bring along a passport, driving licence or utility bill, just in case. You'll probably have to sign in, and if it is like any other archives place I have been in, then any large bags or bulky coats must be left in a locker before entering the room. Most other library rules apply - no smoking, food or drink, excess noise, etc.

Thank you both for you help. I don't really mind if it takes a while to find the information as long as it's there! Now it's just a case of gathering my information together and talking myself into going. I'm sure it's just the initial first visit that's a bit daunty. Thanks again. Sue