Advice for 1st trip to records offices

[Jalkatz]

Yipes!!  A film reader?!  I'll do that, Andrea (thank you) but before I can find out the area record offices, I guess I still need to decide which rellies I'm hunting... What criteria would you use to decide which family strand to concentrate on; those where you've had most success so far, or those cyber-brick-walls?  The more I think about it, the more mind-blowing it becomes... Jackie

[sillgen]

I should choose one where you are likely to have some success!     If they stayed in the same village for generations then you can flesh out a tree very nicely in one visit and learn a lot about them.     Brick walls might be better left until you know how to use the system.   However, if you have people from a village that is not on the IGI then use the time to look at the parish register - it may be your only chance!
Andrea

[Geoff E]

You can't get certificates as they are only available from Register Offices ...

 ... however, regarding marriages, the certificates from GRO are (first or second) transcriptions from what appears in the marriage register.  A copy from the marriage register will cost you about 50p at a Records Office.

Most Records Offices have lockers in which to keep your possessions.

[northern_rose]

I did my first visit to a records office two weeks ago and have now been 3 times.

My advice would be -

• Don't be duanted!
  
ASk for help - the staff at Lancs record office are very keen to offer help

• Allow lots of time!!!
  
Go with a plan of what you want to achieve and try not to get sidetracked

• A retractable pencil is a must - no need to sharpen!

I hope you enjoy your trip .............I don't want to go to work anymore.............would rather go to the records office!!
[/list]

[GalaxyJane]

Hi all,
I just wanted to share my own experience with you.I have just come back from a long anticipated visit to Carlisle Records Office and had a wonderful time there. The staff are brilliant and fall over themselves trying to help and make sure you can find your way around.
    I phoned them previously and was told I did not need to book a place, though I know some offices require that you do.
        Once again I want to express my gratitude to everyone there for making it a memorable visit for me. I am sure you will enjoy yourself just as much, Jallcatz
                               Regards
                                    Jane
PS They also have a refreshment room with a coffee machine and small snacks on sale. Plus, they provide pencils in the search room in case anyone forgets to bring one. Now I call that service!

[Jeffrey]

All good advise. I have been to the Carlisle records Office on a number of occasions and they have been very helpful.
They have also got a list of wills in Date and Surname order. They are really easy and quick to look through. You can get a photo-copy of any that you think may be relevant. I have had quite a few and the information has been invaluable.
However every copy of anything has to be paid for so take plenty of change.

Judy

[betty smith]

What a brilliant lot of advice - I've been delaying visiting records offices etc. not knowing what to do and would have made a real goof of myself!   Can't wait to get up to Cumbria and do a bit of padding out of info.    Thanks for posting up the question! 

[annaandchester]

I went to Carlisle for the first time at Easter and I agree wholeheartedly with everything everyone has said. They are so helpful and kind and really go the extra mile for you.
I spent £20 on photocopies but found all my weddings deaths and christenings for two families who were from Carlisle.
I also went to the library in the Lanes Shopping Centre and got loads of newspaper notices from the dates I got at the records office. I photocopied them too!

Anna x

[Jalkatz]

Oh, thank you all so much for your helpful suggestions.  It seems such a mammoth task, sitting here thinking about it.  I get the impression that the thing to do is be very organised before you go (plenty of pencils!) and then get there and just enjoy it. 
I assume most of you must be like me and have ancesters dotted all over Cumberland?  If so, what made you decide on a particular strand of your family (having taken account of Andrea's advice to search where there are good chances of success), or particular records office?  Or, having seen so many comments on this thread and others, about how good the staff are in Carlisle, it doesn't seem a bad idea to just go there and ask them who I should search?
Jackie