Genealogy Chat

Yes, I'm daring to visit Kew in the summer hols. I'm after 1st WW army + navy service records and medal roll info. Is anything self-service there? I've looked on their site and gone through their catalogue for what I might need to look at, getting lots of WO__s. Also what type of coin is best to do lots of copying? Here's being hopeful!!

On my first and only visit so far to Kew I found the place quite clinical. No one dared to speak and it appeared that me and my dad where the only people who didn't have a clue what they were doing. Alot of the staff were helpful but there is one guy who really annoyed us and treated us as if we should have known everything despite the fact that he worked there.

John Recently been to Kew and it is all change from when I went six weeks previously so be prepared. No longer need a £1 coin for the lockers. Will need a seethrough plastic bag which they provide. Take with you as little as possible as security now is very very tight. No numbers on Keys so remember your locker no. They will not allow you in with plastic bags which are not see through and no document folders just a notebook/paper. No pens, just pencils and no sharpeners they will provide. Upstairs in the main room the shelves are gone and replaced with lockers and when you order up docs they are now placed in the lockers which are not locked so remember what has been ticketed to you is your responsibility. You now have to order your seat before you can do anything so suggest you do that first on arrival. You will need a readers card so take with you your driving licence or Passport as they need your signature and household bills are no longer acceptable so they can issue you with one. The readers card is used to access the docs of your interest and has to be swiped through the computer every time you make an order. Even that seems to have changed and I found it slightly more daunting this last time. You can order up online but you need to know the three numbers before you can access. You can use Digital camera and laptop but you have to register use before you do use it and your ticket is endorsed to that effect and you do not have to register this every time you go, only when your card expires. When getting your seat you have to state whether or not you are using any of these items. Food and drink can be purchased at a reasonable price and there is plenty of room. You can also take your own food. Parking is usually very good and plentiful. There is a good bookshop so beware! Hope you enjoy your experience. There is so much info there on so many things. Daniel There has been many changes and still going on which has made it more difficult to access in some ways but easier in others and believe me I found it difficult this last time and I have been going to Kew for many years. Don't be put off. There are always others who are in the same boat and ask someone who looks as though they know what they are doing and it is usually OK. Janet

Hi John, I went 2 weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. A nice man checked my handbag at security, showed me the computer screens (where I logged myself in as a newbie) then told me to go to reception where I showed my driving license and got my reader's ticket. The same lady pointed me to the locker room and toilets. Lots of clear plastic bags hanging up so grab one and put your pencils and paper in it. You swipe your reader's ticket to go up to the search rooms. I was also after WW1 soldiers so when you go in that room take a blue box on you right which books your microfilm reader and you place in the drawers as you take out the film you want to look at. I asked a very nice lady worker to show me how to use the reader and then I was off. There are lots of reference books so find the one you want, look up your reference and off you go. It really was easy! Can't comment on ordering or copying as I didn't need to do this but everyone I asked was very helpful. My best tip would be to go later on in the day because it wasn't busy.