General Chat

From Ken Doyle Lancashire Family History & heraldry Society produce a number of microfiche on that county. Try www.lfhhs.org uk or write to Mrs. Dorothy Haworth, 24 Cecil St., Oswaldtwistle, Lanc's., BB5 3HF

I certainly agree with Marion ... whenever I've asked for help at the library everyone (bar one person who was obviously having a bad day) couldn't do enough to help and as for that one person who cares the others were so nice and helpful ...

At the library where I work the local studies information is kept locked. There are a lot of old and important documents. You would not believe the things that people steal from libraries - down to the crossword page from the newspaper. Unfortunately we have had 3 computers stolen from our Junior library recently. Anyone who uses our internet facilities or local studies info or fiche reader would have to give us at least their name. You will be able to bring your own fiche, but they may want to know what you want to look at to see if it will work in their machine, or to judge how long to book you in for. Please don't be put off by essential security, it is an unfortunate fact of life these days and those of us enforcing it wish it wasn't. I am sure that those who have to lock their churches for fear of theft and vandalism feel the same way. Anyone who works in a library should be pleased to help, please don't be afraid to ask. Maz. XX

Lesley Perhaps some libraries are different, but my local library only has fiche readers in the local studies dept. You have to book to use that as it's a separate part of the library behind locked doors. They want to know what you need to look at when you book. I don't know if you use your own fiche, I haven't asked, but it's like Fort Knox as it is margaret

Some FHSs are better than others - the ones I need don't have any on fiche, hence my excitement when I found out I could get them from the records offices. My friend was using the library to view her own fiche - they're public libraries so I can't see why it would be a problem.

I have parish registers from Bedfordshire and Worcestershire both obtained from FHS with no problems

Lesley Have you asked at your local library if they mind you using their machine and bring your own fiche? It's something that hadn't occured to me. I bought my own fiche reader from ebay. £65 although I have seen tham more expensive than that. That also saves on petrol, don't even have to go to the library. Margaret

I bumped into someone I know the other day who it turns out is also researching their tree ... they told me they'd managed to buy parish registers on microfiche from the record office local to the parish they were looking for ... sure enough I e-mailed Lancashire Record Office and they too will sell me the fiche (as long as I write to the incumbent in the parish and get his written permission). It's a bit long winded, but better than having to travel. Once you've got the fiche you can look at them at your local library ... Just thought I'd share that piece of information ...