Genealogy Chat

Kathryn take two pencils in case one breaks, and £1 for the locker (refundable). The births marriages and deaths indexes are on the ground floor and easy to use. Censuses are up one floor and on microfilm. You have to find indexes before you know which film you want and it takes a little time to get used to finding the spot you want. One other tip - I've always found it rather warm in the censuses area so dress in layers! have fun. Helen.

Thanks for your replies. Although I could look up one or two military personnel, as this is a unique opportunity I'm going to go to the FRC. I'm so excited, today I went out and bought a brand-new pencil especially.

Hi Kathryn, You can register for your card for Kew online a few days before you go. Then you have to go on the 15 minute tour, which is helpful or you wouldn't know where to start. Online you can check what ID you need to take as well. When you have found a reference for what you are researching, the documents,etc take 20 minutes to arrive for you to view,so a fair bit of time is lost until you know the system. Like the others, I would not go to Kew if you don't have at least a whole day, the FRC or LMA are much better options for the amount of time you have,even then it will disappear in a flash! Sue

I agree with Janice - having all the census under one roof is a big bonus plus the LMA ( London Metropolitan Archives) is a few minutes walk from the FRC. It really depends what you want to research. Kew has military stuff and lots more besides. Every time I go they have changed something for the better - for instance you can now book your seat number by computer ( rather than waiting in a queue), and do some of your own photocopies. So I didn't find it slow at all but it is best to research online catalogue and help before you go in order to get the best out of your time.

If you only have 3 hours, don't go to Kew. Go to the FRC and you have BMD and censuses under one roof. Janice

Allen, if you mean the St.Catherine House Kingsway B.M.D Index. They moved about 4 years ago to The Family Records Centre,1 Myddleton Street,London E.C.1. Happy Searching.

hi if your going to london go to kingway house in kingsway you can look at bmd befor you bye i will be there from the 14th i have been to kew and you sign in by p.c and when you get in it it is so slow allen

Hi Kathryn If you haven't been to Kew before, you will need to apply for a 'Reading Card' on arrival - for which you will need identification. They're quite fussy about what they accept, so I'd recommend that you check with them beforehand.

I will have about three hours spare in London and I'm planning to do some research. I don't have anything in particular to research, but this is an opportunity that doesn't come very often. Chances are I'll end up in Kew and be unable to find any information because I'm easily confused. Any advice appreciated.