PRONI reopens

[jwaugh]

Sorry Elwyn if I was hogging a Microfilm reader yesterday on you.  Yes at one stage yesterday morning it was full but looked quiet in the afternoon.

I had Chicken Pie and potatoes for lunch and it was better than the cooking I get at home so I was happy.

Not sure about the carparking. Its free at the moment but not sure who owns it. It seames to be a public car park and not just for PRONI visitors.

For Disabled visitors there are two car parking spaces just beside the front door.

Yes signs would be helpful all around the whole area.

John

[The Banshee]

I visited yesterday and found the staff all very helpful. Some were clearly new and not 100% familiar with the system but all went out of their way to tell me what they were doing to find the information I needed. I couldn’t fault them at all. There were numerous new visitors from GB, the US etc and the staff were excellent in helping them with their first enquiry, so that they could then carry on without assistance. I was impressed with that.

There were a couple of times when, briefly, all the microfilm readers were occupied but generally there were always a few to spare. There were always plenty of internet and general search computers spare.

Not sure about the café. It is pleasant and airy, and a nice place to eat but some of the hot food looked a bit tired. I had a pie with overcooked potatoes and very tired broccoli. Many people had their own sandwiches. That, combined with a coffee from the café, might be a wiser option unless the hot food improves.

I overheard a few conversations about where to park. Several people had found free parking nearby but there was speculation that it wouldn’t be free for too long. Hard to say. I went by train to Bridge End and felt that the signage from there could be better. Someone unfamiliar with the area might be confused as to where to go. It took me 9 minutes to walk from Bridge End to PRONI.

Quickest route from Bridge End is to walk to the end of the platform towards Belfast (do this on the platform that faces the Bangor road), and continue to follow the lane which brings you on to the main road. After which, go under the flyover and head towards Odyssey. That route takes about ten minutes which I'm guessing is the route you used.

The NIR signage is very poor, I wouldn't expect signs yet for PRONI but Odyssey has been there about a decade and still isn't properly signposted.

[stevenson]

I would like to thank all the staff for making my trip to PRONI such a pleasure for me.

I followed all your ideas on getting there and did different things each day.

With a hotel opposite I might stay there next time to save traveling across the City( and because I am so lazy would just need to cross the road).

Just one criticism, and its not really a criticism, document arrive so quickly now that by Thursday afternoon I had run out of things I needed to find......... so I just spent Friday looking for more documents.......hee hee ...... I had a fantastic time.

Happy Steve   

[speedwobble]

I take it I can just turn up and don't have to book in advance?

[jwaugh]

Hi Speedwobble

Yes you can just turn up there is no need to book at PRONI. If its you first time make sure you bring some Photo ID ie Passport or Driving licence. Check their website www.proni.gov.uk for more details.
They Open at 9.00am and close at 4.45pm except Thursday when they close at 8.45pm.

If you wish to go to the General Registry Office in Belfast to search for Civil Births, Marriages and Deaths you need to book about 6 week in advance. www.groni.gov.uk

John

[weejo]

I started looking onto the family tree at the time that the old premises were closed and before the new one opened.  I ended up going to the temporary reading room at a local library and the staff member mentioned that there had been index cards and that they thought these might not be available in the new premises. 

Can you advise if there are any index cards available either physically or online?

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
    The Index Cards do not seem to be available but you can search on the e-catalogue. See http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/ecatalogue.htm
     You can search at home or at PRONI where the staff are very helpful.

Regards

[weejo]

Thanks kingskerswell. 

I think I'll try for a selection of records and take a scoot up to check the new buildings out too.

Maybe once I've looked through a few possibles, I might be able to get somewhere.  At the moment it's a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

I'm trying to find birth records but don't know if these wold even be in proni.  Might have to prebook a trip to groni.  It's a complicated business.  Especially to us newbies

[weejo]

Can I ask a daft question?  Do you know if I search for a name, does it search the data in the records or just the subject titles (ir you will) of the documents held?