3 events at the Essex Records Office

[findem]

In case anyone is interested I thought I'd post the following.

Help us test the new version of Seax
We are currently updating our online catalogue, Seax, to update how it looks and to make it more user friendly. We want to find out what our users think of the new design and are inviting people to test it out on Wednesday 9 December. If you are able to give 30 minutes of your time to tell us what you think, please get in touch with hannahjane.salisbury@essex.gov.uk for more information.

Essex History Group: Kate Luard - Essex nurse on the front line, 1914-1918
A talk by Tim Luard, former BBC correspondent and great-nephew of Kate.
Tuesday 2 February 2016, 10.30am
Entry £1 including a cup of tea or coffee. No need to book.
Click here to sign up to receive automatic reminders of upcoming Essex History Group talks

First World War Ancestors Helpdesk: Colchester Library
Throughout 2015 and early 2016 ERO’s Essex at War display will be touring various Essex Libraries. In addition, ERO staff will also be available at selected libraries for First World War Ancestors Helpdesks. These are an opportunity to seek advice on how to trace the stories of your First World War ancestors, or names on your local war memorial.

[LizzieL]

Help us test the new version of Seax
We are currently updating our online catalogue, Seax, to update how it looks and to make it more user friendly. We want to find out what our users think of the new design and are inviting people to test it out on Wednesday 9 December. If you are able to give 30 minutes of your time to tell us what you think, please get in touch with hannahjane.salisbury@essex.gov.uk for more information.

Only just noticed this post. Did anyone take part yesterday and find out what the new look SEAX is like. I hope they're not tempted to make it like new Ancestry.

[findem]

Only just noticed this post. Did anyone take part yesterday and find out what the new look SEAX is like. I hope they're not tempted to make it like new Ancestry.

The staff at the ERO being such a great bunch of people that they are, I expect it will make SEAX better.

From the comments I've read around the traps it seems there's an overwhelming thumbs down to Ancestry's antics.  I've seen quite a few people commenting that they are considering letting their Ancestry subs lapse, the impression I get is that Ancestry discontinuing support for their Family Tree Maker (FTM) was the last straw.

Currently I have my tree on Brother's Keeper which I love, I had been wondering if I should put my tree on FTM as another fail safe, so I'll forget that idea.   

[LizzieL]

As Essex Record Office has had the good sense to keep the records under its own control and have its own subscription service, I hope they will not do anything too drastic with the SEAX site. It looks old fashioned compared to the flashier highly commercial sites, but it works, and at the end of the day that's what really matters. If it does take three or four clicks navigating down the file structure to get to an individual register book, so what. That is no time compared to the time we are quite willing to put in to browse through individual records, once we open that book.

[findem]

It looks old fashioned compared to the flashier highly commercial sites, but it works, and at the end of the day that's what really matters. If it does take three or four clicks navigating down the file structure to get to an individual register book, so what.

Totally agree LizzieL, my only disappointment is that SEAX is over there and I'm in Australia.      On visits to Essex I have carried out research at the ERO in Chelmsford (where I was born) and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Oh for the "beam me up/down Scotty" technology.

PS From what I've seen of some commercial sites SEAX gives me the impression of working better.