National Archives - Kew Tips?

Must admit I haven't been keeping track of the releases of these. TNA published a projected timetable for releases, not sure how they have been keeping to it or not. The AIR 81s go quiet for long periods which are broken by large releases at once.

 

Came across this article regarding the New Zealand National archives; it appears that other researchers are having trouble at thier public institutions! Here this is about cutting of reading hours

 

I have one suggestion that may put a rocket up the TNA; if for one week (5 days) researchers decided not to visit Kew it would send a message, a weeks worth of revenue gone from parking, copying, beverages, 'food', nothing bought from the gift shop. A large chunk of money that would not go into their coffers. The very least it would signal to the 'Top Brass' that a large section of researchers could mobilise and at times refuse to use the service leaving them a little strapped.

It still rankles that they took away Mondays; it's a great shame that there is not TNA 'whistleblower'; would love to here what is actually going on and what their thought processes are.

Re: WO 416 cards I have never understood the need to keep these cards closed on the grounds of privacy except for those that incude an X-Ray! I chased these cards since they were at Portsmouth back in 2012, then when they were moved and being assessed at MOD Hist, as there are no personal comments made in the cards, I assume like others that a digitisation deal was done with Find My Past or Ancestry. WO 344 have more personal details, even accusing some of the worst crimes! From two different soldiers I found accusations made of the same man in the 6th Airborne Division of stealing patients personal effects!

I think it is the MP Helen Whatley that oversees TNA, have to wait and see after the reshuffle this week. A letter is always a good start to flag up issues.

 

A revival of the User Forum, defunct since February 2019, might be helpful. Previous discussions about WO 416 are to be found here:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/agenda-user-forum-november-2016.pdf

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk...resentation-prisoner-of-war-november-2016.pdf

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/user-forum-notes-november-2016.pdf

 

Glad to see I'm not the only one unhappy about this.

I've lobbed an email at my local MP, I would suspect that is the correct course of action.

 

The National Archives Trust commenced on Monday. No idea who the trustees are, apart from one, Sir Anthony Seldon.

Established to receive money.

Also avoids FOI requests.

See here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/launch-of-the-national-archives-trust

 

That'll save us all that tedious primary research, especially now there's not enough room or time for us to do it. Our betters can decide what we should know and inform us through the medium of interpretative dance!

 

On writing to Members of Parliament see minutes of an Executive Team meeting held in May 2018 on page 9 at item 6.0 etc.:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/executive-team-meeting-minutes-may-2018.pdf

Interesting that the chair of the meeting says that the National Archives is a "business."

I particularly like the question raised of " how to surface figures relating to letters from MPs."

You couldn't make it up.

 

I was there yesterday, and on the first floor there was tables set out with fine silver by the looks of it and chandeliers, obviously for the launch thing.
On another note, very few people in the reading room, probably about 60 maximum. When I had finished my bulk order, at about 2pmish, I booked my self a seat. Only 17 available!!! Some tables weren't even occupied.
When I left at 6.30 ish, there were only about a dozen people still in there. but as it was a Wednesday might have been the reason.

Also I did not see as many staff about at all.....

Andy

 

You chaps getting this?



Comments here:
Steven A. Woodbridge on Twitter

Bad for my blood pressure.

 

I'm surprised they haven't taken advantage of the current threat to health and safety posed by the great unwashed and just shut the doors anyway. It is what they are longing to do.

 

If they come under the Home Office, let's hope it gets Priti interesting...

 

Link to National Archives research guides that may be of interest to some. Note that these are guides to assist further research and not free access to individual records. It shows what is around and also covers family history research in general.
Research guides - The National Archives

 

FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

"While our Kew site is closed, signed-in users can download digital records for free."

Free access to digital records - The National Archives

 

Combat gallantry awards could be bulk-downloaded. They are all digitised.

Anyone knows if there are other interesting documents to download about italian campaign?

 

TNA unlikely to re-open before September, if this article is accurate:

Archives to reopen 'September at the earliest'

 

Is there a date on that article. They said on twitter the other day they were looking to open next month with a reduced service.

 

I think the article is about two weeks old.

 

TNA is partially opening from 21 July.
Tues to Friday, 10:00 am to 2:50 pm.

Documents must be advanced ordered, maximum of 6 documents per day. Only one visit per week allowed.

Full details here: The National Archives to re-open on 21 July - The National Archives

 

A more positive update from TNA:

Since mid-March, our iconic and much-loved building in Kew has been silent. With our reading rooms closed, the vast majority of our staff working from home and many of our usual services suspended, we have focused on bringing you more digital content and online resources. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy our online talks, podcasts, free downloads of digital records available through our website and our ever-popular research guides and education resources.

Following recent government announcements, I am delighted that our reading rooms in Kew will re-open on 21 July 2020. It’s wonderful to know that visitors will again be able to use our reading rooms and have access to our collection of original documents.

The re-opening will be a gradual process and The National Archives will look and feel very different to what you are used to. We’ll be providing limited access to parts of the building and our services will operate differently for the time being.

In recent weeks, we’ve been busy preparing and introducing new measures.

• We will be introducing a booking system. All visits will need to be pre-booked and we will ask everyone to pre-plan and order all documents in advance
  
• You will notice a new document delivery process to protect you, our staff and to ensure the correct handling and quarantine of documents
  
• A one-way system will be in place around the building with signage to help with social distancing. There will also be rigorous cleaning throughout the day.

You can find more information on our website about how to book, our new safety arrangements, and what to expect when you visit.

The safety of our visitors and staff is paramount to the decision we have taken to re-open our reading rooms. We will keep all of our opening arrangements under constant review, and would welcome your feedback over the coming weeks.

I’m pleased to say that, for the time being, we will also continue to provide free downloads of our digital collection on our website, along with a huge number of research guides, resources and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for your continued support of The National Archives and look forward to welcoming you back from 21 July.

With very best wishes,

Jeff James
Chief Executive and Keeper, The National Archives