National Archives - Kew Tips?

Mori sorry mate im only the village idiot without a village.

Whenever a new member joins the forum the first thing they go for is " My relative (add name) was in the Royal Artillery etc , we think, does anyone know him "
Forum members then do their genealogy bit get the name right date of birth or death etc then member is advised to send off for their service records.In the meantime forum members add their bit to the thread and it builds from there.
Once records arrive they then have the option to order or seek the war diaries or other data that gives them the journey of their relative.
This works very well on here.
There is a forum search box which you can use. Also when you Google with a WW2 query, ww2talk normally springs up.

As regards to building a bespoke search engine I'm not sure it is required.

Example thread that helps people Need help with finding certain war diaries and paints picture of a persons research journey and Andy posting a diary which he already has in his massive collection.

Also a very helpful thread
WW2 Commonwealth Army War Diaries, Info Thread

 

Yes, many newcomers are interested in their relatives, that's a certain fact.

I was more thinking of a tool for history buffs / authors / scholars / historians. I suppose most posters who have been here for years and/or have posted 1000s of contributions are beyond the family genealogy (at least their own).

Putting together an excel list is not anything advanced, and satisfies the need.

Anyway, don't bother with it if you are not convinced it can help.

 

It is actually a time consuming effort which most people dont have time to do because they are concentrating on their particular area of research.

Also for your info member Lees search engine War Diary Search Engine - www.arcre.com

Andys The National Archives Catalogue on Excel

 

Who have you shared the (5 millions pages with?) Should that not be (5 million ?) You say that you have shared documents with more than 100 people over the last couple of years! I'm has thick has pig whats it to workings of the forum. You said, "just ask & you get it"!
Please get a wiggle on & share what you have got. This board is for free. It would be interesting to see what you have collected, & shared with (100 people). By the way, I've copied other documents for several people over the years. Yes, "that was free of charge".

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu: I'm not too sure of the tone of your message, and I don't get whether you ask questions or whether you just fix my EFL.

I have added an Excel list above: it's close to the documents I can send. Pick from that. Email me if you want any of them.

 

Mori,
Not sure what you mean by whether i just fix your EFL? I've only asked you a couple of questions? I'm not the Stu that you have provided a link for.

Please do create your own Exel link on here. I've no need to use either of Andy's, or PsyWar's. Like you have said, 5 Million images is probably worth looking at. The forum has changed over the past five years when it comes to posting images. You will be busy if everyone emails you has to what you have got?

Regards,
Stu.

 

I think Mori is using EFL (English as a Foreign Language) which is where some of the confusion is coming from.

Tim

 

Not much more than I am already...

 

I became a secret TNA criminal today.... took 6 pencils in with me

 

I'm not going to ask where you hid them...

 

I can imagine they weren't expecting such cunning.

 

I'm having a few problems with both my camera and my phone. As my phone contract ends in a few days, the obvious solution is to replace both by a phone with a very good camera.

The National Archives website says that you can take phones in silent mode into the Reading Room but is there any way of attaching them to a camera stand? Amazon and others sell clamps that can attach a phone to a camera tripod but has anybody been seen using one at TNA? I've not been for ages.

XSories Pholder Smartphone Tripod Mount: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

Happy New Year from the National Archives Introduction of car parking charges - The National Archives

 

I suppose it had to come eventually. We have had quite a long stay of execution one way or another.

 

A number of independent researchers fought them tooth and nail over this and to try to at least get a reduction in the daily charge. But they'd already done the deal with the parking contractor and installed the equipment. They were not interested in the slightest.

 

A long day visit will now cost more than the short train journey I need to get there. But not by much. Tough on you gents who visit regularly though.

 

Yeah this has probably tipped the scales for me. Five plus hour commutes, greater costs and reduced access to documents, just not really working for me anymore.

 

Time to move the whole thing away from Kew, I'd say.

 

That will happen for sure at some point. The site is far too valuable and will be a vote winner. Although likely to make it less accessible, especially for those visiting from overseas.

 

I thought Manston would be a good location !