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Topic: Yet another LDS FHC closing "temporarily!" (Read 1072 times)
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jc26red
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2764
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Just been to my local LDS FHC (Reading Berks) and discovered they will be closing at the end of July... indefinitely with no dates available for reopening. Film orders were not being taken.  
I've been trying to find a previous thread on Roots that discussed other FHCs closing?
I'm very concerned, the reason I was given today was that there were not enough LDS volunteers to man the centre.... there were no LDS members there today and the other researchers were surprised to hear that other centers were doing the same thing.
jc
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rosie99
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1963
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Hi
I originally posted on this thread http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,387095.msg2590162.html#msg2590162
about the LDS in Staines (Middlesex/Surrey) that closed temporarily at the end of March, we were originally told it was being made smaller and would only be shut for a short while. The website said it is temporarily closed but it has been suggested by a church member that I have written to that perhaps we should be visiting Aldershot, Hampshire or High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. No one has indicated when/if it will open again. 
Rosie
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jc26red
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2764
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Oh Rosie,
Staines was my second choice of center, I could have done a roundish trip when visiting my parents
I think I'll ring Aldershot tomorrow, I do know where it is - just a few hundred yards from my girls old school but still 14 miles away. High Wycombe is just too far really.
I'm going to be visiting Reading a couple of times till it closes so shall keep my ears open.
Jenny
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rosie99
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1963
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Hi Jenny
I know where the Aldershot one is too - I used to work close by. Unfortunately Aldershot is 25 miles by car but I would be using public transport so who knows how long it would take. It's almost quicker to go up to London but it's not something I would want to do every week. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that someone will have a change of heart.
For now I am just making the most of my LDS free time and catching up with sorting everything out but it would be good if it reopened in the winter months, I used to go every week - sad I know.
Hope Reading doesn't close for long.
Rosie
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jc26red
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2764
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well, they did say it "might" open on Monday and Tuesdays for a few hours but Mondays is the day that members go and I found that a little "clicky", thought at first it was just me imagining it but other visitors have also mentioned it too.
For the time being the center is just saying its shutting!
Reading is still 14 miles away as is Staines, I seem to be in the middle of a triangle! I usually do some shopping at the large supermarket I pass on the way when I go to Reading to offset the travelling cost... makes me feel its more justified then.
oh well....
Jenny
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rosie99
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1963
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Well Jenny, we will just have to keep fingers tightly crossed, and hope that other centres don't close without explanation.
Rosie
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Marmaduke 123
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 430
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.natio
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I'm horrified to hear that the Reading LDS family history centre is closing! I've used it frequently in the past, and have some films I want to look at in the near future. When I've been there the volunteers have not been from the LDS, but general family historians.
However, all LDS centres are dependent on volunteers, wherever they come from. I hope Reading will manage to remain open, even with restricted hours.
Anne
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Bintcliffe, Simpson, Taylor, Tempest, Gee, Singleton, Helm,
Summerscales, Baldwin,,Bolton, Kitson, Gledhill, Lockwood,
Chadwick, Brearley, Gaukrodger
All from Halifax/Huddersfield area of West Yorkshire
Hopton Gloucestershire
Millinchip Worcestershire
Francis Monmouthshire
Walker Wiltshire
Springall Bucks
Mickle Berkshire
Day, Ven Somerset
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Nick29
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2913
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I don't think it's unusual for LDS centres to close for an extended period at this time of year. I seem to recall that my local centre closed for 4 weeks in July last year. Even volunteers go on holiday.
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Best Wishes, Nick. Research interests: Field - Luton & Islington Hole - Somerset, Suffolk & Surrey Farnish, Parker, Cattermole, Last, Wasp, Church - Suffolk Lewin/Lowin/Lowen - Hertfordhire Martin - Eltham & Greenwich, Kent (London) Stead - Greenwich, London (Kent) & Maidstone Wood - Hertfordshire Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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jc26red
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2764
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Sorry Nick, but the sign on the door was a little more permanent than that! and they're not taking any film orders at all for the foreseeable future. They usually close for some weeks during August anyway for holidays but this is different.
I don't have a problem with volunteers having a break, holiday or having leave early etc. they are really appreciated and there are plenty of non LDS members willing to help out from what I gather.
Jenny
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charlotteCH
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 3296
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It will be very sad if the excellent facilities that have been so generously provided by the LDS for so long come to an end 
charlotte
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HARGREAVES, HANSON, BAILEY, BURTON, HEWITT, JAGGER, LOCKWOOD, UTTLEY, RUDD, TAYLOR, HOLDEN, SHAW Halifax / Sowerby/ Southowram 18C+
GILL, Accrington, Blackburn, West Derby, Lancs, migrated USA 1891 to RI: GILL in SC: HOTCHKISS in RI: PELOQUIN in RI
HUMPHRIES, HILLIER, ALLEN, LYDBURY Nunney/Frome 18-19C
HUMPHRIES, JOYCE, HEWITT, ROBINSON, McMULLEN, SUFFEL, CARNEY, MARRON, COMPTON, FREEMAN Ont. Canada 1830+
PILSEN, Sask.
82nd Regt of Foot 1808-1825
1st WRY Militia 1780-1800
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jc26red
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2764
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Think it will be sticky one if they try that, as part of the agreement when they film the PRs was that it was to be made available free to people other than Mormons.
It could be that the heads in London/Utah feel we are too close to the Hyde Park center, an hour on the train.
I'm still keeping everything crossed that it will reopen in September, have to give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being....
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charlotteCH
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 3296
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Would lots of letters asking them to please reopen be any good?
charlotte
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HARGREAVES, HANSON, BAILEY, BURTON, HEWITT, JAGGER, LOCKWOOD, UTTLEY, RUDD, TAYLOR, HOLDEN, SHAW Halifax / Sowerby/ Southowram 18C+
GILL, Accrington, Blackburn, West Derby, Lancs, migrated USA 1891 to RI: GILL in SC: HOTCHKISS in RI: PELOQUIN in RI
HUMPHRIES, HILLIER, ALLEN, LYDBURY Nunney/Frome 18-19C
HUMPHRIES, JOYCE, HEWITT, ROBINSON, McMULLEN, SUFFEL, CARNEY, MARRON, COMPTON, FREEMAN Ont. Canada 1830+
PILSEN, Sask.
82nd Regt of Foot 1808-1825
1st WRY Militia 1780-1800
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Nick29
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2913
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How about volunteering to man it yourself ?
I'm sure that I wouldn't want to sit in a stuffy room in this heat for 4 hours a day without getting paid for it.
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Best Wishes, Nick. Research interests: Field - Luton & Islington Hole - Somerset, Suffolk & Surrey Farnish, Parker, Cattermole, Last, Wasp, Church - Suffolk Lewin/Lowin/Lowen - Hertfordhire Martin - Eltham & Greenwich, Kent (London) Stead - Greenwich, London (Kent) & Maidstone Wood - Hertfordshire Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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jc26red
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2764
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I did Nick....along with the other people in the room at the time!
but apparently the LDS want a church member and that is a step too far in my book, the person who I spoke to said there were plenty of other non Mormon volunteers but that wasn't acceptable.
Think there is some local politics going on, I have met the church member who runs it several times ... 
I'm going to send an email to the London branch and see what the official answer is.
Jenny
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