Genealogy Chat

Hi Brenda, Just wanted to thank you for the visit to Kew that I came on. Very enjoyable and the pic came out good. I've been going through my stuff since I got home and I've been thinking to myself - 'should have tried to find that'. Instead I wasted my time on going through boxes of passenger records. Never mind - it was great. I did end up going to the Family Record Centre too and heaved the big books onto the tables. I ordered 3 certs, 2 of which have already come. Have fun on the 30th. Christine

Is it too late to put my name down as a definite?

Hi Sheila I've updated the list!

Tracy, There’s room for a fat little fellow, and for your tall handsome husband! I’m doing a reserve list for the tour on a first come, first served basis, in case I can’t increase the numbers, but I don’t anticipate problems. Brenda

Hi Brenda I'm well on the road to recovery now so will still definitely be there! Lou

I will be contacting everyone who has expressed an interest in this visit fairly shortly by personal message. Meanwhile, if you are still interested, or can no longer make it, or have only just seen this thread and would like to come, please post to this thread.

Hello Brenda... Yes please me again!!! Pat

Hi Brenda, Yes I'm still interested, was talking to my Son about it at the w/end. Looking forward to it Vivienne

Hi Brenda, Hope you are well and just to confirm that I still want to come along. I've got a growing list of things to look up and I'm really looking forward to this visit. Louise

Hi Louise, Vivienne and Pat Glad you are all able to come!

Hi Brenda I would love to go, can you add my name to the list please. Ta Alison

Hello all, Steve From New Zealand, How i would love to vist Kew,and maybe this is not the place to ask but, Would some kind person be able to do a look up for me when they are down in Kew My father came to New zealand Via jumping ship in and around 1950-52,I can only guess but i would have thought he would have had to join the Merchant navy to be able to get a job onboard ship ??, So if someone could help me ,here's the hard bit his name, born William bill Hurley (b.30 oct 1926 glasgow) but here in New Zealand he was known as Bill William Fraser(taken his mothers maiden name) so i don't know which name he would have used to enlist Any help on this would be wonderfull and i know this is asking alot kind regards steve

Is this your man, Steve? BT 372/1091/143 R408483 HURLEY W 30/10/1926 GLASGOW He's in the catalogue. I've never looked at a seaman's pouch before, but there's always a first time!

Alison, I've put you on the list.

Hi Brenda, Yep Im still interested. Thanks Fi

Hi Fi Looking forwards to seeing you again in July. Lyla, thanks for the details of the exhibition. With an ancestor who did NOT see action at Trafalgar, his ship being laid up for repairs at the time, I'm looking forwards to exploring it.

Thank you to everyone who has sent a personal message to confirm they are coming. With the site at its current speed, it may prove easier to add to this thread, rather than messaging me direct.

Hi Brenda, I would like to join the group for Kew on the 30th if there is still room. Look forward to your reply. Mike

Hi Mike No problems. You'll be very welcome. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but are you currently in Oz, but coming to the UK in July? If so, will you have internet access while over here? And if you have only one bite at the cherry, do you know exactly what you want to look at? The ordering system is brilliant and documents arrive very quickly (unless, as I discovered last week, they are being used in an exhibition) but even so the time goes alarmingly quickly.

TRAVEL AND MEET UP DETAILS The restaurant at Kew opens at 9am and the search rooms at 9.30am. I travel by public transport and will aim to be there by 9am. The meet up point will be immediately on your right in the entrance hall. You go through the green revolving doors, have your bags checked by security, then turn through 180 degrees. I believe there is ample parking in the car park. For those coming by train it is a well-signposted five minute walk from Kew Gardens station. The National Rail website usually only shows details of engineering work two or three weeks in advance, so those unfamiliar with the journey, please check a few days beforehand. Those coming from Surrey or Sussex will find that the quickest route is to catch the fast train from Clapham Junction to Richmond. Once you get to Richmond, the tubes are about every five or ten minutes. There's usually one waiting on the platform. It's just one stop to Kew Gardens. You go through the underpass and follow the signs. If anyone is unable to get to Kew by 9.30am, please let me know. I will post further details over the next few days. Meanwhile, would people add to the thread, to indicate they’ve seen the details. Thanks