Does making an in-person visit to a local/regional archive still make any sense?
Nowadays it seems nearly everything of high genealogical value is available for viewing online. However, are there still valid reasons for paying a to a local/regional archive? And if so, would you please cite some specific examples of where and when the visit to the archive really made the difference?
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Richard
I must admit that I have not visited an archive of any description for many years. As you say, there is so much online these days. However, there remain many documents that have not be digitised and so a visit may still be helpful in some cases.
For example, many years ago I visited the Wellcome Collection in London where I viewed a diary of a brother of one of my ancestors from the early 1800s (he was the nephew of and business manager to Dr Edward Jenner hence why it was in the Wellcome Collection). Although I have not checked, I seriously doubt whether such a record has been digitised. It was a great read including a mention of the wedding of his sister (my ancestor).
Regards
Graham Buckell
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Firstly, I would disagree that "nearly everything of high genealogical value is available for viewing online".
I admit I haven't travelled to a record repository (here in England) for a few years now, but have found that much of the material at the National Archives and at various county record offices is yet to be copied, yet alone put online.
In the past, I have viewed original documents of settlement certificates, court records and tax returns that I could not have seen in an alternative way than to visit the repository itself.
The best place to start in getting an answer to your question (especially regarding records of your own family) is to look at the catalogues at the websites of these record holders. If you cannot identify anything there, send an email to the archivist (or general enquiries) asking about the availability of items that might include reference to, say, a relative for whom you have not found certain details online.
Quite apart from that, I have found it just a good feeling to be handing the original material, which will be provided during a visit if it hasn't been microfilmed. I have been presented with documents so fragile I have had them placed on a desk in front of me, not allowed to touch them and had to get the archivist (or assistant) to remove them once I had made my notes!
In summary, it all depends on how practicable a visit is for you. I have made visits from my home in London to Yorkshire and Durham and discovered little more than I had I visited my local Family History Centre or Society of Genealogists' Library! So I'd definitely advise checking first (as described) to evaluate how worthwhile any long trip might be.
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Thank you for your candid assessment!
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Thank you for your question, Richard.
I have enjoyed researching in local archives. I have found that the staff who look after them are really knowledgeable and helpful.
Before I moved to my current home I was unaware that I had any ancestors from this part of the country. When I researched them, I was astonished to discover that one branch had a home less than half a mile from my current address. To find out more, I made an appointment to visit local archives, which proved fruitful and fascinating as I was shown original documents held by the county records office.
I recently found out a relative was imprisoned in Broadmoor Asylum (as it was named in the 1920s). The ONLY way to view his records is to go to an appointment at the Berkshire records office. I've been in discussion via email with the archivist and am planning a visit.
Many records have been digitised, but many more are only obtainable at the archives. Yet more have been digitised but not transcribed or indexed yet.
Wishing you great success if you decide to visit the archives where your ancestors lived and worked.
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