National Archives - Using Digital Express??

[LancsLass]

Hi everyone

Having read the earlier thread about discharge papers, can someone (Geoffers?) explain about using digital express? I think I have read before that this is a quicker way of getting papers but I can't see how to do it.

I have requested an estimate for my 4x great grandfather's discharge papers from the 95th foot in 1819 and a week on am still waiting (patience never was my greatest virtue). Presumably once I have the estimate, which everyone seems to know will be £8.50, I then have to wait again for the papers either by post or to be uploaded.

Is there a suggestion that there is a quicker way? I can't find it, sorry if it is starring me in the face but ....

Many thanks

[Peter Goodey]

I believe that Digital Express is not available for everything

"Most records that are held on site, and are not available on microfilm or online, and are less that 420mm x 297 mm (A3 size) can be copied. We cannot always predict in advance whether or not a particular record is suitable. If you place an order and we find the record is not suitable, you will not be charged".

In the WO 97/276/10 example, the document doesn't meet those criteria so digital express is not available.

The options available are shown when you click the "Request this" button. In this example, paper and PDF are the available options.

[Geoffers]

In the WO 97/276/10 example, the document doesn't meet those criteria so digital express is not available.

I don't know whether it is a glitch in the system, but I have obtained a WO97 document from TNA via digital express. I similarly got a copy of the admission register to the RHMS Dublin (this is at least A3 in size) using the same service.
- maybe they were feeling kind that day - or perhaps it was just one of the older staff being more helpful?

To use digital express - you pay upfront using a card. If they cannot provide a copy of the document in the time stated they refund the money.

[LancsLass]

Thanks to you both for helping me to understand, a little better. Iin both the example from the previous thread and my example when you "request item" you are not offered digital express as an option. The best you can get is email rather than snail mail, once you have received the estimate after 10 working days

It isn't entirely clear to me why these papers don't fall within digital express but they are similar time frames (1815 ish). I'll keep any eye open for digital express options next time I use TNA.

Kind regards

[Peter Goodey]

You haven't identified what you want but the example in the other thread makes it clear why Digital Express is not available. The catalogue states that the document is available "at microform reading room, Kew"

As mentioned above, the documents must be "not available on microfilm".