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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: mshrmh on Monday 20 July 09 11:14 BST (UK)
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Oh & I want to visit TNA at Kew in September as part of a short break. We'll be driving and could go either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Can anyone advise if any of these days is generally quieter? As the website says the car parking is limited, how early do we need to be there to be able to park? Or if we're too late where else is there parking?
Things like getting a Reader's Ticket and what we can take in, I can see are on TNA's website, but if there are any handy tips (eg if there are coins of certain values needed for machines or lockers, etc) I'd appreciate advice from any experienced RootsChatters.
We're hoping to look at any material for a couple of OH's ancestors - one in the Coastguard & one served in the military in India in 1850s.
Thanks
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Whenever I have gone I've usually got there around 10am and have never had a problem with parking. I can't say which days are generally quieter.
All you need for a readers ticket is 2 forms of id, a driving license and bank card would suffice. There are lockers downstairs for all your bags and coats etc which are free to use. You will find some clear plastic bags to take anything you need for research purposes, such as pencils, notepads, cameras and laptops. You will not be allowed to take pens into the reading rooms. You can take photocopies of microfiche or film, to do this I think you need to put credit on your readers card, but I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong. There are plenty of staff to give you help and don't be afraid to ask, it is quite intimidating when you go there for the first time.
Once you have found anything that is a paper record then you have to order it using your readers ticket and then go to the reading rooms to view it. You have to hand over your bag to the security men and scan your ticket to enter the reading rooms. Once inside you either collect your record from a pre-chosen number (done during the ordering process) which corresponds to a locker and seat which is yours for the duration of your stay. In the reading room upstairs you just have to go to the counter and quote your number. This is generally for oversize records. You are allowed to use a camera to make your own copies if you want, but they do offer a photocopying service if required and except card payments.
It is actually a great day out (well I think so :)) and it's amazing to think of all the history contained within the building, so enjoy your visit.
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Just to add one important piece of info to the last post - there is an on site cafe for refreshments or you can take your own food and drink.
jds1949
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I see from this months YFT magazine that there is a proposal to close the Archives on Mondays, it doesn't say when or if this is going to happen, so it would probably be wise to check the website nearer the time.
quote from MarkyP:- It is actually a great day out (well I think so
I second that - especially when just before you are ready to call time you find what you've spent all day looking for!!
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Don't take ANY original documents with you - take a photocopy or just note down the details yourself - all your paperwork, including any blank sheets of paper should be stapled together as one group of papers. This is so the security guards can tell you have not snaffled any original documents - I made the mistake of taking my father's WW2 RAF discharge document with me on one of my first trips and it was really embarrassing trying to talk my way out (although the blooming guards hadn't noticed it when I went in and out several times for lunch/the loo etc!)
Ermy
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Thank you all for the useful information and tips - I hadn't thought of taking in a camera, for instance.
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hello mshrmh
i planed to visit kew several times & was put off by reports of security & obtaining a readers card. i bit the bullet & went along last year.within 20 mins i was clutching my card & doing my research,my card is valid for 3 years so i can come & go when i please. they also e mail a monthly news letter for different events.its a visit you will want to repeat. good luck with your research.
jeannette
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The proposed closure on Mondays is not going to happen until spring 2010, as far as I can see.
Parking is generally OK, even arriving late morning. If you take a camera, you cannot use flash. However, it is possible that much of the information will be in microfilm which would be hard to photograph.
Yes, the reader's ticket acts as credit for the printers if you wish to print stuff. There are loads of leaflets around and lots of helpful staff to help guide you through.
If you are looking for Coastguard information, you can actually download - FREE (apart form the hit your broadband connection might take) - files in ADM 175 as part of the Digital Microfilm project.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/06r1/
It may be worth looking at some of these files before you get there to trace your ancestors postings.
Nell
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Thanks Jeanette for the encouragement and Nell for the additional info & download link - I'll follow that up (or down)!
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However, it is possible that much of the information will be in microfilm which would be hard to photograph.
I photographed from microfilm very successfully, however you do need to use the microfilm readers that are recommended for photography ie the ones with the upright screens.
Magrat
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Just a couple of things to add.
There is a 30 minute 'New to Kew' talk every morning at 11.30, which should help you get an idea of how the place works.
You can also do some homework in advance using the links on the Research Guidance page, if you haven't done this already.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/gettingstarted/guides.htm?source=ddmenu_research1
You mention that you've already looked at the website, so you probably know that Tuesday and Thursday are the late nights (to 7pm), and there are afternoon talks on those days too - look at the 'What's On' page on the website to see if there are any that interest you around the time you intend to visit.
Have a great day!
Mean_genie
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Thanks Mean_genie - I saw the talks, but we're hoping to get there as early as we can, so with a bit of luck may be stuck into some research by 11.30 - if not we'll take up the option.
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Hello :) I am going to kew for the first time in a couple of weeks and have read all of the advice here and in other threads but i would like to know if both myself and my partner need a readers card, are they for entry or just to order documents?
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Hello :) I am going to kew for the first time in a couple of weeks and have read all of the advice here and in other threads but i would like to know if both myself and my partner need a readers card, are they for entry or just to order documents?
That depends what you want to see. They are not needed at all for the computer search room, including the 1911 area, although you will have to go through a less comprehensive security and leave all your no-no stuff in a locker for that, so still follow the advice above about what papers to take and how.
However, if you want to see any originals, you will need to book a seat(s) in the reading rooms and have reader's cards to go through the additional security to get there. Your documents are then booked for use at that particular desk(s) and arrive in a postbox just for that desk. You have some choice over seats so I think that you should be able to book adjoining seats but I think that you can't access that area at all without both the card and the seat already booked.
The cards are useful to have anyway as you can charge them up for your printouts and even order printouts and then pay on the card before the printing is actually done.
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Thanks for that, we are going to see an original (we got an estimate it was for £800!! so thought we might as well have a mini-break and go to London for a few days, it's much cheaper!!)