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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hertfordshire => Topic started by: Gembar on Tuesday 26 August 08 17:58 BST (UK)
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I hope to go to the family history section at HALS in Hertford this week. My 14 year old daughter will be coming with me to help search. Will we need to take identification with us to show before we can go in?
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For anyone who hasn't heard of this, here is the Link:
http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/websites/hals.htm
I'm in Hertfordshire too, (SW) & I'm guessing that a Herts Library Card should be enough I.D?
Romilly.
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Strangely enough I picked up a leaflet yesterday re HALS. It states
"Visitors wishing to use the archive room will need a CARN ticket (County Archive Research Network). You can register free by bring two offcial proofs of your identity, showing signature and current address e.g. driving licence. Please note that some access restrictions may apply to official records"
Cara
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It's a while since I visited, but the Archive Room was where they kept the original documents. The room where the films and viewers are kept was quite separate. You never used to need identification to use this room but times may have changed. They were quite strict about what you could bring into the viewing room, only a pencil and a pad, but they do supply lockers to deposit your belongings in.
Times may well have changed however. We really need the input of a regular visitor like Peter Cornish! :)
Rick
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Yes I think you are right there. Originals in the archive room and printed materials and family history resources in the local studies library.
Depends what you are likely to need I suppose.
Cara
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Thanks for that everyone> I will go along and see what is needed and let everyone know.
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Well, we had a good afternoon at Hals. I think I may have given my daughter the genealogy bug!! ;)Oh dear!! oops!
We had to put our bags into a locker, and only take in our research papers and a pencil but we just went straight in. The staff were very, very helpful as neither of us had ever used a micro film reader before. We looked up parish records and we found about six records which we did not think was a bad afternoons work. I shall certainly go again.
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Hi Gembar,
Glad to hear that you had a successful visit!
Out of interest, what ID did you need to show there?
Romilly.
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We didnt need to show anything. But then we were just in the family history side and not looking at the actual parish books just the micro film copies.
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As far as I am aware you do not need anything to look at the parish records, GRO index, census returns etc which are located in the local studies room. However, if you want to view original documents in the archives room, then yes you need a card. In the archives room you fill in a docket with the relevant reference info (found in indexes) and then hand that in at the desk together with your card. Your card will be returned to you when you return the documents. Perhaps also worth noting is that I have never viewed any documents in the archive room that can be photocopied so be aware and take a really good camera if you want a hard copy of an original.
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Gembar,
I'm also interested in MARLBOROUGHs in Hertfordshire. I see from your other posts that you are tracing George (b. 1872); I think that may be the younger brother of Henry Charles (b.1865) from my line.
Regards,
cashcityrocker
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RE taking a camera into the archive to make your own hard copies.
Is that allowed?