Genealogy Chat

Also, it might be worth trying your local LDS FHC as, in the States at least, Ancestry is available online free for all to use! They have the 1871-1901 UK censuses.

Just to say I have now been to FRC and had great fun. Took me a while to get started but managed to find answers to some of my dates etc. Now I want to go again and may venture to Kew as well!! Angela, as I have been I will not be there next week, but a thought has occured to me. Everyone is so helpful and friendly on these boards-----we ought to agree a carnation or something so if we see another searcher from these boards we can introduce ourselves!!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions Happy hunting Jean

Hello Jean - No you don't have to pay to view the censuses at the FRC. The 1901 census is online and they have loads of computers. From 1841 to 1891 they are all on microfilm. All the census stuff is upstairs on the 1st floor. You find yourself a seat next to a microfilm machine, take a note of the number and take the correct numbered box from the shelf near the entrance. When you take your film from the drawer (having looked up the area you want in the big index books to find the film number) you put the box in as a marker. The staff are really friendly and helpful if you have a query. In fact I may see you there as I am hoping to go next week. I always feel as if I have had a good day out there. May join you for a cup of coffee!!!

Thanks to all the helpful people on this site, Lots of good tips. I have made notes and about to get organised for when I go so I don't waste too much time! Really looking forward to the trip now, Cheers Jean

As stated to view 1841-1891 is free at the FRC they are on film and 1881 fiche. To view 1901 at FRC is the same as at home pay to view the page, free to hunt people, so you can get some idea where to look, but you can see the pages for free at the PRO at Kew. you can also get photo copies for about 35p. Sorry can't remember the full price. There is no index, but if you know the parish its not to difficult. Irene

CAn i just add the motorisd readers don't suit evryone. I used one on my first vist and felt sea sick, when i mentioned it to one of the staff, she said it happens a lot. So try both. I use the manual one at the back of the room lots of peace and quiet abck there and loats of room to spead out a bit. The motorised ones are more popular so you tend to busier there. Also have at look at the FRC website, somewhere on there it tells you which days they are expecting coach parties and how many in that coach party. That way you can avoid busy days.

The FRC is very easy, lots of leaflets, helpful staff - and helpful fellow researchers! Further info on its website: http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/frc/ nell

The FRC is the Family Records Centre, Myddleton Street, London, Marnie. Joy

Censuses are free but the microfilm/fiche are only address indexed so it can take a long time. When I went I discovered that the street I was interested in wasn't in the index - either it had been mistranscribed or I just couldn't read the index properly! If you haven't used the readers before, get a leaflet explaining them. It has a lovely, helpful diagram in it.

Don't know if this is the case for the FRC, but Kew has Ancestry for free and I'm sure I saw someone using Times Online as well. Plus they have all sorts of name indexes Brenda

Jean, the 1901 is online there - pay as per usual - and on microfiche, free, to search by address. Joy

Hello Jean - I have been to the FRC a few times and it is brilliant. All the information is free. The censuses from 1841-1891 are on microfilm but the staff are really friendly and helpful and will show you how to use the machine. I think they have the 1901 census online but I haven't used this so don't know how that works. The births marriages and deaths registers are huge books on the ground floor. You just go and help yourself. If you want to order a certificate you can do that at the counter. They even have nice loos and some machines for buying coffee, sweeties and sandwiches!!! Hope you have a nice day. I always do.

Jean It does tend to get busy at weekends. Go early (searches take longer than you think) and get yourself a motorised reader (these go quickly) rather than the manual ones. It makes a big difference as the screen is larger and you don't have to wind it. The readers are represented by little plastic boxes on a book shelf as you go in. The motorised ones are labelled as such. JB

Thank you all very much. Lots of helpful information. I have wasted lots of money on vouchers (too many Smiths and Jones!!!). Am really looking forward to going now and hope to track down a few more folk. Thanks for your help, Jean

Jean No you don't have to pay. when you arrive at FRC the census room is upstairs. BMD on ground restrooms in basement. When you get there go to the desk, a member of staff will talk you thru the search procedure. If the staff do a copy for you it is 35p a copy ( i think) You can do a copy ror yourself 25p ( beware the machinces do NOT give change so take some) The staff will show you how to copy the census as well. The final option is to buy a copy card ( only recommended if doing lots of copying) You pay £5 for card which gives you 20 copies and it is a charge of £1 ( i think) for the card but when you top the card up again all the credit you add will for your use( you only pay once for the card) Copies work out at 20p a copy. I could be wrong about the cost of the card, but i know for fact when you have the card it works out at 20p a copy, as i have one. But do ask for help they are very helpful and theres leaflets you can read to help you thru the system. I believe if you go to their site you can download the leaflets from there to read before you go. Shellli xxx

No, you don't have to pay for the 1901 if you look at the microfiche and search by address. And you don't have to pay to look at the othe census (countrywide) on microfilm. But if you have a printout from the census (and don't do it youself), that costs a little, the staff are very helpful. Joy

Hi Jean, I haven't been to the FRC, but at other record offices you don't have to pay to see details. The census will be on film and you just have to scroll through the film. You will need to know the area you are looking for as I don't think they will be name indexed. Kath

I am going to FRC soon. When I look up the census do I have to pay to see the detail when a name is found, as you do when looking up 1901 on the internet? I have found names on the internet but with common names it can cost quite a lot to find the household. Would be grateful for any help. Thanks, Jean