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Archiver > ENG-SOMERSET > 2001-06 > 0992121651


From: Paul Benyon <>
Subject: Re: [ENG-SOM] PLANNING A VISIT AND NEED SOME ADVISE
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2001 22:21:18 +0100
References: <000301c0f109$0a0d0900$2c488cd4@j96510j>
In-Reply-To: <000301c0f109$0a0d0900$2c488cd4@j96510j>


Hi Linda

Certainly the Somerset CRO is the only place to go for most of what you
are looking for. To have a look at their various holding you can take
links from their list of parishes at:

http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/asp/parish.htm

I was just browsing through:

http://www.genuki.org.uk/indexes/SOMcontents.html

and there appear to be quite a few transcripts for Minehead on-line,
assuming you weren't previously aware of them! Maybe other parishes
too - but I haven't checked?

I would strongly advise that you have a good read of some of the
material on the site - especially the bit about opening hours etc:

http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/howuse.htm

It would be a shame to arrive first thing Monday morning and find that
they are closed until 1400 hours: there is also advice regarding making
appointments etc I find the staff, friendly, helpful and
knowledgeable. And, of course, the more you know about what they have
available, the better prepared you'll be when you arrive!

I'm not too sure what you mean regarding a few strays from Bristol: you
should be aware that Bristol, except for a few years has always been a
county in its own right and has its own Record Office in Bristol: see:

http://www.bristol-city.gov.uk/rec_office/record-office.html

Note they are closed Fridays! Although Bristol has some connections
with Somerset and Gloucestershire, an easy way to upset a Bristolian is
to suggest that his beloved and ancient City is in either of these
counties :-))

You are coming down, IMHO at the best time of the year - please take
time out - F&M permitting - to have a look around the local villages: I
often pop out at lunch time for an hour or two to find a quiet spot in
one of the many villages in the area - away from the madding crowd :-)
And returned refreshed in the afternoon ready for some more research.

Taunton also has its own local studies centre, but I haven't used this
facility, although I am advised by those who know about these things
that it is also worth a visit. Regret I don't know what the URL is
these days, but you should be able to sort something out from the
following:

Somerset Studies Library The Library, Paul Street, Taunton, TA1 3XZ;
Telephone: 01823 340300; Fax 01823 340301.
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm, Wednesday
and Friday 9.30 am - 7.00 pm, Saturday 9.30 am - 4.00 pm.

Regards

Paul
Portland, Dorset

On Sat, 9 Jun 2001 18:23:16 +0100, you wrote:

>Hello Somerset Listers,
>
>I am planning to visit Somerset in 2 or 3 weeks time, staying at Bristol with family, and hope to spend everyday (weekday) in 'a' record office searching for my ancestors. Parishes are Ilminster - Curry Mallett - Wraxel - North/South Petherton - Wiveliscombe - Minehead - and finally a few strays in Bristol. Can somebody advise me as to where the best place to go to search through PR's, Census returns and Wills Indexes for these Parishes. I have had a brief look at the Somerset Record Office in Taunton on the web, is this the best place to go and does it hold all these record I need, in one building ?
>Also do I need to book a machine or table ?
>
>Surnames Researching -
>
>VILE - HENDY - BURGE - LANSDOWN - YANDLE - STOALING - BLANTERN - Amongst other's
>
>Kind Regards
>Linda Collie
>Hadleigh, Suffolk
>
>
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