So excited!

[Annie65115]

Apparently I can take photos, I just need to sign their form first. Copyright is not an issue because the documents are so old.

I'm wondering whether to take any gloves? I have non-latex medical grade gloves -- what do you think?

[StevieSteve]

I'd think they'd provide them if needed, but they shouldn't weigh you down too much 

[Rosinish]

Lucky you Annie, very interesting!

Don't forget some sandwiches/snacks & a drink as you could be there for a duration.

I'm just curious how you found out about the 'donation' to the library of your family docs?

Have a great day 

Annie

[Annie65115]

I'm just curious how you found out about the 'donation' to the library of your family docs?

Luck as much as anything! I'm lucky to have had a few "worthies" in my tree and that is good luck from a genealogical point of view because I've found quite a lot of stuff on wikipedia etc. I simply google names!

This is the collection:
http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/search-resources/guide-to-special-collections/atoz/bellot-papers/

and according to the website features correspondence between various branches of the family including Bellot and Hale. Now my avatar is a portrait of Jane Bellot nee Hale, her sis was my ancestor, so I am crossing my fingers that Jane was in the habit of writing back home to Mum after her marriage 

Mind you, it's not just "worthies" that are worth a google. To my astonishment, I once found a handwritten copy of a different part of my tree kept in the National Archives, following a contested will in 1910! And that was the branch of family in and out of the workhouse, asylum etc -- the contested estate was only worth £80 -- If you have any even slightly unusual or distinctive names in your tree, I'd always recommend searching even where you don't expect to find stuff.

[Rosinish]

Annie,

The reason I was interested is, I have a genealogy friend who's relative had a portrait done by a known artist & he's trying to track it down or at least a copy & I noticed you had mentioned same.

He has googled everything in conjunction with the surname but has found nothing re the portrait so I sent him a link to this topic so he could read your post.

He is going to New Register House at some point so hopefully might discover what you have.

Thanks for sharing.

Annie

[Treetotal]

Aw Annie....what a great find for you and to know that your persistence has brought such fantastic results    I am thrilled to bits for you and so pleased that you shared it with us....I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see your reaction.
You go girl and fill your boots   
Carol

[a chesters]

Take an extra memory stick for the camera, to ensure you have enough memory to take all the pictures you will want to, as well as a spare battery

[sami]

.....and.....let us know how it went.

I'm gob-smacked with the thought of you going through 17 boxes   

So far I've been happy to just find a single letter tucked away 

sami