National Archives - Scanning on demand

[genna]

Hi

I would very much like to see what details the NA have of my Dad's time in the Merchant Navy as all I know is that he was on at least one Russian convoy and was stranded in Russia for several months after his ship was sunk in the harbour.
I have found him listed in the catalogue and wondered if anyone has experience of ordering scanned images from the National Archives. I'm a little put off by the possible cost especially at having to pay ten pounds for an estimate. It appears it might even be cheaper to pay a researcher.

Regards Genna

[casalguidi]

Hi Genna

It depends how much there is to copy.  I guess you are talking about the Merchant Navy Seamens Pouches - I think the content can vary

I read on here somewhere the other day that somebody paid a £10 estimate and that the item copied amounted to just pence so in theory you may be able to get quite a bit for your £10 (dependant upon how long it takes them to locate the file(s)) or I suppose it could cost you more

Casalguidi

[Gadget]

I did it forsome old service records. £10 is quite a lot for a couple of bits of photocopying - I had to pay £30 for three ancestors But it was the only way i could get them.

You might be lucky and be able to download, though

Gadget

[PaulineJ]

I asked a researcher (company, not individual) to price up looking at some Met. Police records (I had the enrolment date and service number). £150 was what it would cost. Makes the National Archives £10 look like a bargain to me.

Pauline

[liverpool annie]

If I had the opportunity to get my Dad's records - I'd go for it !!! ( can't get mine !! can't get my Granddad's either  )

You can pay in installments ........ and the people I've talked to have been pleased with the information they got - I guess it boils down to ... how badly you want them  !! 

I've spent a fortune already - but I'm so very glad I did !!

Annie 

[Tati]

Why not have a look around the site for other things you'd be interested in? The 10£ estimate covers up to 5 references, if I remember well.
If your dad's record is under 10£ then you can complete with something else and you won't have lost any money. 

I remember photocopies are not too expensive (whereas scans are prohibitive )

Tanja     

[wheeldon]

Hi Genna, I would go for it if I were you.  I'd be chuffed if I found a record relating to my ancestor.  I think you should be proud of yourself for working out how to navigate the NA site.  I'm at a complete loss with the site, even though I've had lots of help from RC.

So, I would treat yourself 

[ericx]

Hi Genna
I had success with two lots of records - one they sent as photo copies and the other as downloadable files. If you live a great distance away I think its worth the tenner.
Best of Luck Ericx

[suey]

I'd say it's worth the money!  even if you only get a couple of pages you never know what information they might hold or lead to.

If you look around the web researchers are charging a minimum of £25.00 - £30.00 for starters, then you have the copying and postage on top of that, you may also have a much longer wait.  I ordered a military record from TNA and got it within days.

Suey