National Archives - Kew Tips?

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by von Poop, Oct 2, 2008.

  1. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    From Jan 2018, document ordering hours are being reduced to 9:30am to 4:00pm each day, including extended opening days (Tues and Thurs)

    4:00pm will be the deadline also for Advanced orders for next day.

    Lee
     
  2. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    Yes you can download for free to your own device that is connected to TNA wifi.

    You cannot email from TNA computers.
     
  3. PackRat

    PackRat Well-Known Member

    What's the parking currently like at Kew for a mid-week, mid-morning visit?

    I was planning on arriving at about 10.30 - 11.00 to avoid ploughing through the rush hour traffic, but will there be any spaces left by that point? Are there any good fall back options for car parking nearby?

    Also, does anyone have any quick tips for good camera settings to use to get the clearest shots when photographing documents using the camera stands? Do you leave it on auto, or macro, or do you dig further in to the f stops and other wizardry?
     
  4. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member


    You can download digital documents and email them. I did it on my visit to TNA last month.

    However the method is not evident. I had a coloured army attestation that was almost completely black when printed. I enquired if it was possible to email it to myself and was talked through the process by a very helpful member of staff.

    It can only be done on one of the few desks that have a computer case attached to the screen and keyboard, not at a desk with only a screen and keyboard.

    If I remember correctly the document is downloaded to the computer. Then, via the browser, I signed into my email account online, at which point I was asked for a security code as I was signing in from a different computer to normal. This code was emailed to another of my email addresses. Entering the code I was able to access my emails and send an email attaching the download to myself.

    Simple! Probably best to ask and get someone to talk you through the process. Don’t forget to write it down for the next time.

    I arrived on a Tuesday about 10am and the car park was only about a third full. I have arrived on a weekday about midday and there were only about 5 places left.

    Richard
     
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  5. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    I tend to use aperature priority at f/7.1 @800 ISO which generally gives a shutter speed of 1/80th to 1/100th sec, depending on document and ambient light level in reading room.

    If you need to go handheld then to shutter priorty at 1/100th sec. (Not as steady and fit as I used to be, in youth could handhold down to 1/15th sec)

    Lee
     
    PackRat likes this.
  6. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Does this mean the large quantity of camera stands (DIY document copying) in the reading rooms will no longer be available?

    Gus
     
  7. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    No, it's referring to the cameras and printer stations provided by TNA - the ones opposite the document return counter in first floor reading room principally.
     
  8. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Thank goodness for that! :)
     
    PsyWar.Org likes this.
  9. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Thanks for posting this Lee, just have to make sure one has enough files to plough through in the 3 hours after 4pm on a Tuesday/Thursday!

    Andy
     
    PsyWar.Org likes this.
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    4pm is a bit harsh for a Tues and Thurs.
     
  11. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    On the flip side, it is now possible to place an advance order for up to 12 documents.

    Although the advance orders form now appears to check if you have carried over any documents from a previous visit and allows a maximum of 20 docs.

    The annoying part is the form only tells you that you have exceeded 20 documents. It does not tell you what you maximum advance order allowance is. The document section of the form is also cleared.

    It would be much more sensible to say something like "You have exceeded 20 documents, you already have 10 documents on hold so can only advance order a further 10 documents".

    And rather than clearing the form, leave doc references in place but highlight the ones that exceed your limit. (In this example, the last two references given)
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  12. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    I joined the Friends two months ago. I think I might unjoin.
     
  13. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Start a rival group: The Former Friends of the National Archives.
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I've seen them - what is it they actually do?
     
  15. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    What is the status of the WO417 files now they have been digitised? Are you able to view the files in person at Kew?
     
  16. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    Once a document has been microfilmed or digitised, generally, the originals are no longer orderable. (Drives me to distraction)
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Thanks. when it says it digital copy available for downloading is that of the original or is it going to send me off to one a pay-to-view site? :unsure::unsure:
     
  18. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    I didn't check but in this case I think it would be a download through TNA servers.

    Usually when it is a third party website, there is a button link directly to the website and there is no regular order button.
     
  19. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Cheers. I'll be down there for a week later this month so I'll find out....
     
    Rob Dickers likes this.
  20. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    A welcome change at the Archies this morning - as the trains were all running well I arrived at about 08:10 and expected to sit in the foyer until 08:30 when you're allowed to go into the cafeteria. The attendant on duty told me to go straight in and said that, since yesterday (11/1/2018) Management had decided that visitors could go into the cafe from 08:00. The bad news is that this only benefits those not arriving by car as the car park will continue to open at 08:30. The Reading rooms continue too open at 09:00.
     

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