Does anybody ever go to Sandwell Archives?

[Andy001]

I've put a few requests on Staffs and Worcs boards (and a few on Genes Reunited) asking if anybody goes to Sandwell Archives and if they do,please could they look up one or two marriages on the parish registers for me while they are there.I can see that probably people don't visit there very often but I get replies that I can get the same info on the certificate for £7 as if I am being really cheeky asking. I thought that was the whole point of sites like this-to offer and ask for help and advice?

[liverpool annie]

Hi Andy!

First of all congratulations on 100 posts!! 

I don't think you're being cheeky! - but by the look of the web site (which you probably already have !) it looks as if it's one of those places where you have to be a reader etc - to get any benefit out of it! - keep trying though - don't let people put you off!! 

http://www.rootschat.com/links/05m/

Annie 

[Andy001]

Hi Annie,thanks for that.Some of the replies I got on Genes Reunited were so rude I turned the internet off most of the day on Friday.I started to think from replies that I got,that generally there are people who use only the internet for their research and haven't even heard of parish records/church registers,and by the sounds of it a lot of people don't even use the GRO indexes on microfiche,they rely on free bmd or ask for look ups!
I haven't looked on Sandwell archives website for a while,I was planning to write and ask them to put a notice up on their board for me!

Andrea

[liverpool annie]

Hi Andrea!

The age of the internet is WONDERFUL! and a lot of people have only ever done their researching on the internet!! I remember the days ......... 
Seriously! maybe it will be a while before anybody can get to Sandwell - but I'm sure if they do - they'll give you a shout - I know that I asked for help for a regimental museum and forgot all about it as nobody replied - then all of a sudden a few months later somebody spotted it and found what I wanted - I was thrilled !!

Don't take any notice of the miserable ones - that's their problem - not yours!!
Stick to RootsChat kiddo - they're the best!! 

Have a great day!

Annie 

[Andy001]

Cheers Annie Hope you have a nice day,too




updated: Checked their website,they do 30 minutes FREE research and only charge for copies

Just checked my original message on GR about whether people use parish registers and people are still moaning about how ridiculous it is to expect people to go to record offices nowadays.I find it VERY hard to belive that people live as far away from record offices or archives as they claim to.We are a small island no one lives more than 70 miles from the coast,yet can still live 70 miles from an office apparently.

[prozac]

I'll be going there some time next week if you're still after help.  Well, once I find it!  I've never been to the archives before mind, not entirely sure what I'm meant to do ...

But I'm more than willing to help.

[Andy001]

Hi Prozac,thanks for your offer
I don't actually have anything I need looking up at Sandwell at the moment,but is it okay to send you a PM in future if I do,in case you happen to be going?

The archives are still at Smethwick Library aren't they?

If you follow the link that Annie supplied it'll take you to their website it should tell you whether you will need to book a machine or not
Are you going for something specific or just to see what resources they have?