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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Down => Topic started by: teap78 on Sunday 05 February 06 15:40 GMT (UK)
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Has anyone ever ordered a search by Banbridge Genelogical Services? if so can you tell me how long it usually takes for them to get back to you or make contact? i sent them a request on the 17th of January and all i got at the time was a thing flashed on the screen to say it had been, accepted by that it probably meant my credit card details and my money. since that Nothing!
Colette
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I'm aware of their site but have never used their service (I usually use familyulster.com). If I were you, since a few weeks have passed, a phone call would be in order to gee them up a bit. Like many such services, I think staffing levels will be small and enquiries sometimes delayed by unforseen events, but even if this is the case, an email letting you know this would be better than none. Did you check your bank statement to see if the money has left your account?
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Hi Scotmum
I havent recieved my credit card bill yet. I will ring Banbridge Genelogical Services tomorrow and see whats happening.
:o
oh wait there has been a mail strike here since Tuesday last, fingers crossed thats what has happened.
But im still gonna ring them tomorrow.
Colette
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ok rang the Number today was given another number to ring got through to a man Called Jason seemed nice enough but he told me he had not got round to doing any research for me yet as he is the only researcher and he runs the tourist side of the business too and also he gets loads of inquries like mine so he gets abit snowed under :-[ the good news is that he said he will look in to mine this afternoon. Ive asked him to send me an email one way or the other to let me know what is happening. i hope to god he dosent send me an email telling me he cant find anything cus they still take your £15 to cover admin charges. I actually think ive found a few more things myself but i need them confirmed.
Colette
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Maybe i should have asked him for a Job
;D
Colette
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I suspected that might have been the reason for the delay - mind you, just goes to show how popular family research has become.
he gets loads of inquries like mine so he gets abit snowed under
Erm, yes, I guess he would, after all, it is a genealogy service ;D! Poor chap, but at least he gets paid for it. Hopefully he will turn up something helpful for you.
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Hi Scotmum
He better turn up something for me because if he dosent and I DO i,ll be in the car and down to Banbridge an slap my findings on his desk and ask fer my money back
;D ;)
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ok heres the latest on my posting
Got an Email from Jason from the Genelogical services
Dear Colette - bad news I'm afraid. I couldn't find anything on our database relating to William and Margaret. The only death coming up was for a William Doyle, famer's son aged 17 (died 31/3/1888) in Kilkinamurray, a townland outside Banbridge.
The reason that we are not picking them up is becaue we only hold Catholic marriage records from 1864. I think what you will have to do is find out what church they attended and then write to the local PP as I don't think Public Record Office hold the Catholic records for the Banbridge area unfortunately.
The two chapels in Banbridge are:
St Patrick's, Dromore Road, Banbridge and the priest is Father Tony Corr (it is the oldest in the town).
St Theresa's, Scarva Road, Banbridge and the priest is Canon Liam Stevenson.
Sorry to have taken so long to have been of so little help, but if there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know.
Kindest regards
JASON
:'( £15 for the names of 2 chapels and priests names.
Ya live and learn.
Colette
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::)...ouch!
If I were you I would kindly point out that their statement on the website site should clearly state what periods they hold over 750,000 B/M/D's for and distinguish between the different timescales for catholic and non-catholic records. If it had, you perhaps would have chosen not to spend £15.
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Hello Scotsmum Took your advice and sent an Email we will see if i get a reply though i doubt it.
Colette
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Hi Scotmum
He better turn up something for me because if he dosent and I DO i,ll be in the car and down to Banbridge an slap my findings on his desk and ask fer my money back
;D ;)
Atta Girl Colette,
Go for it. Stand no nonsense. You expect good value for money and should get good value. The guy should be positive. I feel that the expression "I dont think" means he has not a clue. He should have phoned PRONI and been able to tell you either they do or do not hold the Catholic records for the area. Have a wee read at this Colette http://www.from-ireland.net/parishrecords/down/downrcindex.htm Does this mean PRONI do hold the Catholic records? I am a bit puzzled though - spending money for a professional searcher to do a search should be the last resort. Local libraries are excellent at getting information and sending detailed reports on their searches - their charge - nothing- all part of the library service. Banbridge Library address is - Scarva Road, Banbridge, Co Down BT32 3AD Telephone: 028 4062 3973
Email: BanbridgeLibrary[at]NI-Libraries.NET
Best Wishes, Chris
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Update on my Email I got a reply today and i must say im a bit :-[ but very pleased too here it is
Dear Colette - thanks for the e-mail and I certainly take your point on board and will pass it on to the company that administer the website. It would save people a lot of time if they knew exactly what records we hold. I have attached the list we do have, which we should hopefully be able to put on the website.
Another thing which isn't on the website either and should be, is that we don't charge if we don't find anything, so don't worry about the £15. I know a lot of places take a fee whether they find something or not, but I don't see how they can justify such a thing when they don't.
It takes other people to point these things out to us Colette, so many thanks.
If there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know.
Regards
JASON
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That is great news Colette.
Jason sent you a well worded letter too. It does no harm to do a little bit of complaining as people sometimes take on board comments made and take immediate action. It looks as though that will be the case here.
All the Best, Chris
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LOL Chris point taken about the researcher being a last resort, but you see im an impatient woman and thought i could have got it quicker that way, that will teach me, so PRONI it is .
Colette
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LOL Chris point taken about the researcher being a last resort, but you see im an impatient woman and thought i could have got it quicker that way, that will teach me, so PRONI it is .
Colette
Hei Colette,
I doubt you are impatient. You do not have a lot of time on your hands though with your family committments Would you like me to shift myself and start making trips to PRONI for you? It is about time I started to make myself useful. When are you intending to go there? I understand you can get a cup of coffee there.
All the Best, Chris
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I Haven't decided when I'm going yet Chris i have the child of school at the minute (tender bowel according to the doctor) hopefully have him back tomorrow cus that bowl of jelly he just scoffed didn't seem to bother his tender bowel lol.
Thankyou for the offer of going for me Chris its really kind but really i only live a 15 minute drive away from PRONI and i have a car, once i get the child of to school and call to mums make sure she doesn't need anything i can go there and sit to about 2.30pm then home for the child coming in from school. I might get over next week.
I'm just seeing how silly and lazy Ive been imagine paying a researcher and i only live 15 Min's from PRONI and have a car :-[ its as well he didn't charge me.
LESSON LEARNED
Colette
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Glad you took my suggestion in hand and pointed out the poor wording on their site...perhaps if they change that to more accurately reflect what periods certain records relate to then people will be able to make an informed choice.
Another thing which isn't on the website either and should be, is that we don't charge if we don't find anything, so don't worry about the £15. I know a lot of places take a fee whether they find something or not, but I don't see how they can justify such a thing when they don't.
[/i] Well, I think Jason really should read the website again himself, if he does he will see that this page (http://www.banbridgegenealogy.com/services/index.htm) clearly states "the £15 that we require is an initial search fee depending on whether the search is successful or not in order to cover our costs". Mmm, should someone mention this to him ::)?
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Hei there Scotmum,
I feel it is quite possible no one need go to the trouble of mentioning the comment contained in your message of which you feel Jason ought to be aware. Rootschat has an excellent name in genealogical circles. If Jason if doing his job properly, I am sure he is as he posted a good reply to Colette, then he will be reading all the comments in this thread himself.
All the Best, Christopher
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I read the messages and thought that I would add mine.
I sent a payment for £15 two years ago and never heard a thing, despite numerous emails asking for feed back.
All I wanted was a parish register look up for Warrenpoint and I have given up hope of gtting either £15 or look up!!
Gill
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I read the messages and thought that I would add mine.
I sent a payment for £15 two years ago and never heard a thing, despite numerous emails asking for feed back.
All I wanted was a parish register look up for Warrenpoint and I have given up hope of gtting either £15 or look up!!
Gill
Hei Gill,
Two years ago. Did you keep a copy of your letter? How did you send the £15? Was it a cheque? Did it go through your bank. If you have any sort of a record chase Banbridge Genealogical Services and give them a wee bit of hassel. You have nothing to lose and might get your money returned to you. I may be wrong but I think most of the reliable professional genealogical people charge a minimum of £50 and do a fair bit of initial research. They then send a reasonably detailed report which is sufficient for you to decide whether or not you would like them to research further on your behalf. In this day and age there is plenty of choice. The more you pay generally the better service you get. Rootschat is an exception you get everything for nothing here and it is brilliant. Local libraries also give an excellent service at no charge. Now ask yourself what is £15 ... Nothing. So what do you get.... Nothing.
All the Best,
Christopher
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Hello and Bore Da ,Christopher
Now at the time two years ago £15 was worth a wee bit more . Truth is I was hard up , things at home were very sad (my Dad and Husband had both died) I chased it up to some extent and then let it drop. If someone else got the benefit I don't mind. I did email them not so long ago to ask if there was any record of my request but I didn't get a reply.
I'm not so sure these highly priced researchers are always better. I'm a historian by training and should be able to do my own stuff .....
As a Thompson researcher you may sympathise, there are alot of Thompsons in Ulster!
I think I've told the tale before.
My Great Grandmother, Samuel Alexander Thompson's daughter was often taken by her Dad to Narrowwater, to visit the Halls who lived there. Now young Elizabeth Ann was taken by Mr.Hall to see the School at Clonallan (built by the Hall's), played in the castle grounds etc, etc.
I've talked to nearly every Thompson in the area,visited churches and am now writing to Mr. Hall at Narrowater. I did speak to him and he said I could visit him soon.
I think possibly Samuel wasn't really who he said he was
Anyway moral of the story - if you want something do it yourself and don't waste too much time on missing £15 and elusive ancestors!!!
And yes Rootschat is great and free
Kind Regards
Gill in Snowclad North Wales
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Hi Gill
I realise this is off-topic, however you may be interested to know there was a family called Thompson who owned a 526 acre park (Greenwood Park) in between Narrow Water and Newry, from the ealry 1800s until around 1884, when Margaret Thompson died. It is possible that Samuel Alexander may have been of this family if they knew the Halls of Narrow Water, and because Margaret's husband Ross Thompson had five sons - and I've only traced four.....
Happy to provide further information.
Jim