New Record Office at Woodhorn

[Irene B]

It is Trini who is researching Ridley.

Irene B

[Pialba]

Sorry about that.
Trini would you please read the letter I sent to Irene B
Twiggy

[Michael Dixon]

Conditions at Woodhorn.....

I am gobsmacked at the negative reviews Woodhorn is getting.

Ok I have only been once ( last Sunday) but it was a doddle.

No queues, plenty of machines, and staff oozing help.

I don't drive ( drink instead) so I don't have a view on parking and parking fees

And yes it would have been nice if the Centre was, say, near Ashington Bus Station or in Newcastle, or even at the end of my street. But I got to the centre easier than my many trips to the County Record Office, when it was situated outside the town of Morpeth.

And I remember how impossible it was not to bump into other researchers as we moved from drawers to machines in that confined windowless place. And how we were "evicted" as the CRO closed from 1-2 pm.

( I am not connected to Woodhorn Centre, so the above views are honest)

Michael Dixon

[Pialba]

Dear Michael,
Thanks for the positive news about Woodhorn, I will look forward to visiting there when I reach Ashington. I am hoping to be able to find a few names that I haven't been able to find on the only records I can access which is the films from the LDS.
'Twiggy

[lynxafrica]

Can you turn up on spec, or do you need to book a reader in advance?

[Irene B]

They have lots of microfilm readers and I have never seen it full yet.  However if you are travelling a long way or planning to go on a weekend in Spring/Summer it might be worth booking.  You have to get a readers ticket when you arrive at the building go to the information desk.  You need photo ID and/or something with your address on it.  I had a Northumberland library card (no photo or address) which they accepted.

Irene B

[louis]

we have just started family research  and were a bit doubtful about going to the records office but have always found most of the staff very helpful.

yes it does cost £2.00 per day parking, and you do have a bit of a walk, but we got our reader tickets no bother with a utility bill, you register and pick up your card the next time you visit.

you can also take in your camera but there is not a lot that you can photograph and you need to tell the staff when you arrive that you have one and fill in the appropriate form.

The childrens play area didn't bother us at all while we were there but we have never been when the place was full.

[lynxafrica]

Thanks
Any idea if they accept TWAS readers tickets?

[Irene B]

The play area has been modified a bit, they put one of those ribbon barrier things around the automatic doors so the children don't keep opening them by mistake.  Also they seem to have made the play area a bit smaller - and quieter.

Irene B