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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1999-05 > 0927423473


From: "G . EDWARD ALLEN" <>
Subject: Re: Traced to the 1500's in England. Now what?
Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 18:37:53 -0700


Reedpcgen wrote:
>
> >
> >With the greatest of respect, that although the FHL may have huge
> >resources, does it have (for example) copies of hundreds of individual
> >family histories as filed in the Society of Genealogists?.........
>
> It has a massive collection, which takes up a whole floor, aside from what's on
> microfilm. It does not have some of SOG's manuscript genealogies (two of which
> I quoted in a recent article I did on the Blake family), but it does have many
> they don't. I mentioned Anthony Camp because he is not only a friend, but was
> director of the Society of Genealogists, London, until just recently. He says
> it is easier to do British research here in SLC than any other single place in
> the world.
>
> >copies of army records, shipping manifests....etc. etc.?
>
> Yes.
>
> >Apart from which,
> >isn't it best to seek primary sources rather than secondary - which, surely
> >must be the case at FHL in many cases?
> >
>
> We rely on primary sources, which are on microfilm, or transcribed and printed
> by various editors, including HMSO.
>
> >Surely "....But there are original records which we do not have yet..." is
> >an understatement - or am I wrong in my thinking?
> >
> >jal
> >
>
> With all due respect, it is not an understatement, and you are wrong in your
> thinking only because you are unaware of what is available here. We have well
> over 95% of all English probate records before 1858, and a massive percentage
> of parish records, aside from other record types. You do not have to "order"
> records here at the FHL. You are free to go grab the book or film yourself and
> peruse it at your leisure, a rare oportunity as record offices or repositories
> go. [The PRO at Chancery Lane was much faster than Kew, but even then it was
> frustrating to only be able to order three documents at a time, and then wait
> after returning them and ordering three more. The British Library, Department
> of Manuscripts is even slower.]
>
> Also, if you were aware of my research, you would know that I am the strongest
> advocate of primary sources and original research. If fact, when records from
> the PRO at Kew are needed, most of the time is is possible to determine the
> exact piece number and reference number to order a color photocopy (in the case
> of inquisitions post mortem, chancery suits, etc.) from here in the US, though
> you have to wait for mailing.
>
> The point of my previous post was not to brag about the resources here, but to
> let the large number of American researchers interested in British research
> know that they can still do great amounts of original research themselves here
> in the US, even if they can't make the trip to London or elsewhere.
>
> pcr

Having just returned from London, Amen, Amen. Both PRO and SOG had their
shorcomings compared to FHL. I hate to think what I could have done in
SLC with the money I spent in London :-)

Kay Allen AG

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