Genealogy Chat

I would like to take a visit to the family records office in Chester however I am always apprehensive about going to new places. Has anyone got any advice about going? ie where is the best place to park? or anything else which I might find useful? I'm not a newbie to the census, BMD records online but I am when it comes to looking at other records especially in family records offices.

I would be grateful for any tips?

Thank you
Janet

i did it for the first time at my local records office the other week.
you will need at least a couple of hours. maybe the whole moring or afternoon.
Book ahead the places at the reader go quickly.
Take a
pencil... no pens allowed
Dont be afraid to ask. they are used to newbies not knowing how or what area to look at.
Last of all. take plenty of information that you have found out... so your only confirming what you think you know

chris

There's a thread a bit further down this board that you might find useful.

tips for research at records offices, libraries, L

Mumsy.

Thank you Chief Cook, Capricorn and Mumsy for advice. Just read briefly thread further down and is just what I needed. I didn't realise it was there. Will continue to read.

Thanks again.

If you put 'Chester Record Office' into Google you'll get to their website which gives you all the info. you need - map, booking info., opening times, ID needed etc., etc.
All the record offices I've visited have had really helpful staff who are used to new visitors.
Good luck. Angela

Elsie, I too am visiting Chester office for the first time tomorrow. I read the other thread and thought to myself, OK do this need this need that, so I turned round to start and I forgot everything I just read.
I'm comparing this to first day at big school, why am I so nervous?

Kaz

All I would add is that it a good idea to have a clear plan in your mind as to what it is you are trying to find, which records you wish to view etc, and if possible check in advance that the records you want ti see are actually there.

We were in Dublin a couple of years ago and spent two days looking at records, with some success, I might add. We did however waste quite a bit of time, with little show for it, at the beginning wandering a bit aimlessly through things hoping to spot something.

Good luck and I hope you come up trumps.

Thanks Angela, Kazza and Peter for your help. I read the other thread and made a list of what I need to take. Just need to book and go.

Sorry keep changing my name but will stick to Jan1 now.