Records Office - First timer

[annaandchester]

I am planning my first ever trip to the records office (I am taking a few days off work and going to stay in the area I am researching) so I want to make as much use of my time as possible. So here are a few questions (please forgive me if they are a little dumb!)

1. Can you look up actual BMD's or is it like freebmd where you just get the certificate code/folio number etc
2. What can you copy at the records office - if anything
3. How much does it generally cost
4. What should I take with me?

Other tips and words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Anna

[casalguidi]

Hi Anna

Which Records Office are you visiting?

Casalguidi

[meles]

1. In the London PRO, you go through some large books to find the reference, from where you can order the certificates.

2&3. You can copy most things. There is a small charge. But looking things up is free and there is access to a lot of pay per view stuff free.

4. Paper and pencil. NO PENS! (In case you accidentally mark orignal documents).

The staff are very helpful. Have fun. I personally cannot work for more than half a day at a time - looking at all that appalling writing and faded documents gives me a headache. So also plan to do something else in the area while you can. There is more to life than a family tree..!

meles

[annaandchester]

Carlisle Records Office - it is based inside Carlisle Castle which is a lovely old place to be.

There is more to life than family tree Meles? Oh no, there isnt!

[t_creaney]

I went to Carlisle Records Office a couple of weeks ago, everybody was very helpful. I was able to look through the 1841 census which is not online & Parish Registers for Christenings, marriages & burials. They have loads of other records which I didn't have time to explore. I didn't have to pay for anything.

You can give them a ring in advance as I did & they will tell you they have for the specific location you are interested in.

It is actually an Archive Office for Cumbria and does not issue certificates. You order these from the GRO.

On arrival you have to fill out a form for a readers badge, you will need some form of identification for this.

Regards

terry

[Geoff E]

If you can find marriages in parish registers, you can get a copy for 50p or so.  Post 1837 ones have the same info as GRO certificates, but have the original signatures.

You will need some form of ID.

Whistling is frowned upon and the eating of jam doughnuts is discouraged.

[annaandchester]

Is the whistling and jam donuts from personal experience?

[Geoff E]

Is the whistling and jam donuts from personal experience?

Well, I was only allowed access to Lincoln Archives when I assured them that the sweet I was sucking was a "one off".