Home based resources

[Guy Etchells]

Geoffers mentioned microfiche on the Hampshire forum a few days ago.

"Also, many County Record Offices offer photocopying facilities and/or can provide copies of registers on fiches. I don't live near my areas of research, but am able to do a fair amount using my 2,000+ fiches from the comfort of my own home (and whilst drinking a cuppa, which you can't do in a record centre)."

I would encourage everyone to purchase as many microfiche, microfilm and cd copies of the orginal Parish Registers, Census directories as they can possibly afford.
It can't be emphasised too strongly just how convenient it is to have access to sources at home, additionally having access to copies of original registers allows a wider understanding of the village your ancestors lived in.
I admit it is not as easy to pick up a second hand fiche reader these days but it is still possible and new readers are relatively cheap compared with a number of trips to a record office.
Cheers
Guy

[Annie]

When I started my family history I went to my local archive even though my area of research is many miles away and used their GRO index, 1881 census and IGI on micro fiche but after an hour's work I had to leave feeling very nauseous, apparently its the light from the fiche reader that effects me. So unless there are different types of fiche readers I have to make do with what I can find on-line and save up for census cds. Even some computer screens can cause a problem.

Annie

[Guy Etchells]

There could be a couple of reasons for that.
1, was the research room lit by flourescent light, the frequency of the flicker of various lights affects some people, inversely dim room lighting also affects some when looking at a bright screen.
2, When browsing the fiche did you change images quickly, this sometimes causes a type of motion sickness in susceptible people.

With you mentioning computer screens I would assume it is the flicker frequency affecting you and would therefore recommend using computers and fiche readers only in a room light by daylight or tungsten bulbs, not flouresent lights.

I could also see the advantage for you in having your own reader thereby allowing you to research for short periods of time when convienent.
Cheers
Guy

[Annie]

Thanks Guy
you were right it was fluorescenct light fittings, don't have them at home.
Well as santa has already given me a copy of TMG I think I'd better wait awhile before I start asking for a fiche reader! But just so I'm ready any on-line sites I can browse?

Annie

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Annie,

A friend of mine managed to buy one for £12 from a local business which was either closing down/upgrading, so it may be a good idea to browse your local newspaper.

My local Library bought new microfiche readers ....... don't know what they did with the old ones?

Apparently, they are on sale at e-bay I've been told, but think they are pricey, so a local business is your best bet! :)

[Annie]

Thanks Diane
I've sent santa... sorry hubby out to get the local paper!

Annie