Genealogy Chat

Living in Australia, I don't get to visit the records offices as much as I'd like. But I did manage to visit England for 2 months last year, and got in a few sessions at various records offices. I found my laptop computer to be invaluable. None of the offices I went to objected to me taking in a laptop, and it was so much easier than trying to write up all the notes that I might need beforehand. It's certainly not an absolute necessity, but if you do have a laptop then make sure it's up to date with all your data and take it along!

Our kit includes a magnifying glass and a calculator (for working out dates from ages etc.).

Jeanette, you are obviously a seasoned vistor to the record offices! Thanks for your tips and advice. Aileenx

Hi Aileen all records offices are different. Some require you to make an appointment, and some require a passport photo. Their website should tell you. Take plenty of paper and a few sharp pencils (no pens allowed). Take a list of what you hope to find out while you're there backed up with notes if necessary. Don't set yourself too much to do - the time usually flies while you're in there. Take a cardigan as it sometimes get chilly - oh and glasses if you wear them! Take some change to pay for photo copies if you want them. Most of these type of places don't do refreshments, so if you're staying all day you will need a packed lunch to eat in your car, or some money to get some dinner. Think that's about it! lol. But most of all - ENJOY! Jeanette x

Thanks for pointing out the difference, Joy Aileenx

Do you mean register office or records office? Records office is where you can search fiches / film for BMDs, and parish registers for that area, books, maps, that sort of thing, and census on film for that area. Register office is where one can can write to the superintendent registrar to ask for a certificate, sending a cheque for £7 and saying please return it if they cannot found the registration in their records, (when you have already searched for and found the registration of the birth, marraige or death). Joy

Do they just have the same info as the fiches - I cannot find a marriage or death for one of mine in Lancashire/Yorkshire in 1900's tried BDM, Ancestry, fiches and nothing. As they are copied to the GRO would the local office have the originals?

Thanks for the tip about the website Nichola and Heather...I'll have a look at it Jane, I just thought that the records office and registry office were one and the same? Aileen

I didn't know you could research in your local registry office. I have used them to send for certificates. You do mean Registry office and not records office?

Hi, most offices have a website so you could look up what their particular opening times and procedures are. In my local one you just turn up, sign in, put your bags in a locker and take a note book and pencil in with you. You then speak to one of the assistants and they will tell you where to look for the records you want. Normally you look through an index which gives you the number for the microfiche or film you need and get those and go to a desk with a reader. Sounds worse than it is! And people are always helpful. If you want to look at actual parish registers or documents you have to order those in advance. But check out a website for the office you want to go to.

I believe if you look on their websites it gives you info on how to be prepared for your visit. Nicky

If I visited my local registry office, would I be able to look up info by myself or would the staff do it for me? Do you have to make a prior arrangement or can you just turn up? I've only ever researched online (but know I could visit FRC to search myself) so haven't a clue what the procedure is. Many thanks Aileen x