Original documents?

[benny1982]

Which do you prefer, microfilm or originals?

I was at Kew and had to view the original muster rolls, and I was handling documents that were over 200 years old. And at Essex RO I was looking at electoral rolls for the 1880s and 1900s and was looking at typed books.

 

[duckweed]

While it is quite something to see original documents I am aware that microfilm or copies are a better way of protecting the originals, and digital imaging is so wonderful now, all details are clearly there. I don't like relying on transcripts as they are subject to errors. I can't get to Kew and often ask the Archives to scan documents for me and email the images to me. It works pretty well and the fee is about the same cost as travel costs across London so is a good deal to me.

 

[benny1982]

I wanted to take pics of documents at Chemlmsford but you have to pay £10 for the day and have to inform them every time you want to take a photo.

 

[duckweed]

It does vary. Sheffield charges 50p a copy or gives you permission to use your camera as long as you sign you are not going to use it for commercial purposes.

Matlock won't let you copy anything but will put a digital copy on CD for you and post it for about a £5.

Sheffield Libraries local history section charges 10 pence a copy.

National Archives copying documents vary from £2.80-£5 per copy on average. Depends on size and number of pages.

 

[leefer]

I wanted to take pics of documents at Chemlmsford but you have to pay £10 for the day and have to inform them every time you want to take a photo.

Got to say i wasn't impressed when i went to Chelmsford.....the staff didn't want to help and i struggled.
Saying that i am a complete idiot with that kind of thing.

 

[duckweed]

I've never had any problem with any of the archives I have visited except Matlock (and it wasn't really a bad experience). I have visited Lincoln, Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Wakefield and they have all been great.

 

[leefer]

Like i said Duckweed...being confronted by a bumbling nitwit like me was probably the reason.........put me right off though.

 

[benny1982]

I have come across a few unhelpful archivists in my time. So of them have appeared like they have one brain cell and that is on the blink.