Help with planning visit to the National Archives, please

[Magrat]

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

[Mean_genie]

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

[mshrmh]

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.

[Steve Ley]

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?

[DudleyWinchurch]

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.

[Steve Ley]

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!!)