Keeping focussed

[pinefamily]

And there's something about going to an archives or library isn't there?
Not the same sense of character in front of your computer. 

[johnxyz]

Re sitting in front of a computer, go look at www.wwwdotcom.com.

[Nick29]

And there's something about going to an archives or library isn't there?
Not the same sense of character in front of your computer. 

Yes, and when you're on sites like FindMyPast or Ancestry, there's always a nagging doubt - am I not finding the record that I'm looking for because it doesn't exist, or is it because it hasn't been released for internet access ?

[Salvia]

Thank you for that web page John, it certainly struck a chord with me and I have just passed it on to my son!  (You can guess its not family history he is forever doing).

[pinefamily]

And there's something about going to an archives or library isn't there?
Not the same sense of character in front of your computer. 

Yes, and when you're on sites like FindMyPast or Ancestry, there's always a nagging doubt - am I not finding the record that I'm looking for because it doesn't exist, or is it because it hasn't been released for internet access ?

I'm hearing you, Nick. The other thought I often have: why aren't the records I'm looking for online?
How reliant we have become.......

[pinefamily]

Oh, and regarding that site quoted above, I always knew we'd find it sooner or later.
But, like the Big Bang, where did it all start? 

[Nick29]

And there's something about going to an archives or library isn't there?
Not the same sense of character in front of your computer. 

Yes, and when you're on sites like FindMyPast or Ancestry, there's always a nagging doubt - am I not finding the record that I'm looking for because it doesn't exist, or is it because it hasn't been released for internet access ?

I'm hearing you, Nick. The other thought I often have: why aren't the records I'm looking for online?
How reliant we have become.......

I think this can be quite simply explained in the 4-word reply that I got when I offered my email address to the church archivist at the church where many of my ancestors are buried - "I don't do email".   I get the feeling that many of those involved in Family History Societies are of an advanced age, and many of them have no knowledge of the internet, and they see it as something alien.  That said, I'm 63 years old, and I love computers and the internet 

[pinefamily]

To provide an example for my statement of "why aren't the records I'm looking for online?": I have just seen that findmypast has Dorset Apprentices as one of their record groups; naturally the date parameters are outside my particular interest.
See what I mean?

[jc26red]

yes but I bet having comfy slippers on and a coffee to hand helped sooth the frustration of the dates being very helpful... unlike travelling miles to the required archive office only to have a fruitless search 

Then again, its much easier to stay focused when you visit archives mainly because you go prepared with lists of what you hope to find and where... then once you have set up your film or fiche reader you just keep going, no easy click of a mouse to distract you. 

When I first started out in computers, I was reminded a computer will only do what its asked to do...  so stop clicking that mouse if you want to stay focussed!