Genealogy Chat

Hi all, Last week I emailed Northampton Records office giving details of a couple of Wills they hold in their collection, I gave as much detail as possible including names & dates and included my address in the email and mentioned I would like copies but as I live in London would they supply them by post. I was emailed back saying my details would be passed to the relevant department but as there is a backlog someone would contact me in due course. Within the week I received a letter and a copy of one of the wills (the other cannot be copied because it contains a wax seal) and they invoiced me for just £2.10p to cover copying. What an excellent service they provide. Michele

Michelle If you want to digitally photo the waxed seal will at some time in the future when you have time to visit the Northants Record Office, they will allow you to do so as they allow the use of Digital Cameras, provided you do not use flash. I take my digital camera everywhere now. I have always found Northants Record office very helpful with a lot of info there for those with Northants ancestors. I recently photoed two wills with Waxed Seals at Northants RO and I was very pleased with the results. Janet

Hi Janet, Thanks for your tip about the digital camera's I had wondered if they would allow me to photograph the will. I can feel a visit to Northampton coming on soon!! especially as I know they hold other other info relating to my ancestors. Thanks for the info Michele

Good luck Michelle with a coming visit. I always find my visits there are very relaxed as there is never a crowd, but there have been some changes recently and they may now want to issue you with a pass of some sort so remember to take some form of identification with you. Give them a ring before you go to check if you have to make an appointment. You used not to but the changes may have made it different. I do not live near and usually find a B&B near Northampton to ensure an early start and I am always rushing to complete at the end of the day! I have taken one line back to the 1600's at Northants and found plenty of info in wills, the villages from where they came and the little snippets of Poor law settlements that they have. I always enjoy going and am never lost for something to do there. Janet

Greeting’s Michele. . . . Fully endorse what has been said about the Records Office. . . I was there only four weeks ago and had excellent service Nothing was too difficult for them. I was not asked of any form of ID, although I had my Family History Members Card ready. . . If your coming up the MI from London. Then you need to come off at Junction 15. Take the A 508.signed to Northampton. After aprox. 3 miles Just after a petrol Station. Close to Wootton You need to come off at the junction With the A 508 / A45. Go up the slip road. And at the Traffic Lights. Turn sharp LEFT. After aprox. 800yards. Then you need the next turn on your LEFT Follow this service road and turn the next RIGHT. And you need the second Car Park. There are signs for the Record Office from the main road.(A45) But they are not very big. . . “Wootton Hall Park” is what your looking for. Hope this is of help. MIKE.

Hi, Janet & Mike, Thank you both for your advice & directions I certainly will be planning a visit soon and hopefully will find lots of new leads to follow. Much appreciated for your tips Michele