Federation Of Family History Societies

GRO to provide a Collect Service from Southport

It was previously announced that the current facility for customers to order and collect certificates from Family Records Centre (FRC) would be withdrawn from November 2007 and there was no intention to provide a replacement service. However, on 28 September the FFHS and other members of the FRC Users Consultative Group were advised by the GRO's Certificate Services Branch that a certificate collection service will be available at the GRO office in Southport with effect from 30 October 2007. Details are still being finalised but this facility will be available only for orders placed by telephone or post or by Registration OnLine (ROLO) account holders. It is envisaged that collection in person will be available from 10.00–16.00 Monday–Friday.

While this is to be welcomed as a small step in the right direction, it remains to be seen to what extent this meets the needs of users. We will keep you advised as more news becomes available.

Withdrawal of Paper Indexes from FRC

At the Family Records Centre (FRC) Users Consultative Group Meeting on 3 October 2007 the following schedule of withdrawals was announced:

12/13 October - B,M,D Indexes 1947-2005
19/20 October - B,M,D Indexes 1865-1946
26/27 October - B,M,D Indexes 1837-1864
26/27 October - All Overseas Indexes

Paper indexes for Adoptions will remain at FRC until it closes, and will then be moved to Kew.

Following the removal of the paper indexes from FRC, five sets of indexes on microfiche will be available on the first floor at FRC until it closes. Thereafter, there will be just three sets available at The National Archives
(TNA) Kew - currently there is only one set there.

The following summary of GRO services on the first floor at FRC from November 2007 to March 2008 may be helpful.

• Microfiche copies of B,M,D and Overseas Events
• Internet access to GRO Indexes held on third party web sites (not all free)
• PC based systems providing access to modern indexes for B,M,D, Adoptions, Civil Partnerships, and Overseas Events
• Paper indexes for the older Adoption Records
• Online ordering via Registration OnLine (ROLO) and Internet access supported by TNA
• Customer Service Point

The Customer Service Point will be located in "C" Section and will be covered by two GRO staff to provide a check on unclear references on microfiche. It may not be possible to give instant answers - it will depend on the nature of the query. This facility will exist only from November 2007 to March 2008.

Roger Lewry
FFHS Archives Liaison Officer