Finding out information about soldiers buried in CWGC cemeteries

[pylon1357]

There have been staffing cuts at the National Library and Archives Canada for sure. It has affected the ordering of files somewhat but not too terribly much. Used to be I could order a file before 10:00 am and the file usually at the end of the day. They have since cut back were I order the file one morning and it arrives at for my viewing the following afternoon usually.

For me th biggest hassle now is the change to the visitor parking. The on sight parking is now run by a private company. There are only 7 visitor parking spots, plus two handicapped ones. This is a loss of about 50%. It used to be we could park for free for 2 hours. I understand soon it will cost to park in the spots and the time allowed has yet to be determined.

Thank goodness for progress

[pylon1357]

double post.

[force136]

British KIA records

Jean Loup

British KIA ARE OPEN, however the problem is not in accessing the files its getting someone to copy the info for you. I KNOW the KIA records are OPEN because I just saw a stack of SOE KIA personal records when I was at Kew last. I have never tried to access British paratrooper files but I would assume if I can get personnel records of SOE and SIS KIA, you can get the para files. The system is the same as it is here in Canada.

Regards

Ken

[Henry Jones]

Has anybody experience with making a request at the Ministry of Defence for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel ?
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Ab...ePersonnel.htm

I saw that after 25 years of death you can get access to these records but its really expensive, 30 Pounds/person . I had 9/10 killed Commonwealth RAF airmen in my district I had to research for . Are in Kew similar information?

Alex

[peter monahan]

Jean Loup

British KIA ARE OPEN, however the problem is not in accessing the files its getting someone to copy the info for you. ...
Regards

Ken

Ken

When I was last in Ottawa, at Library and Archives Canada I was hsppy [and mildly surprised] to discover that they had no problem with me photographing records. And I was looking at 200 year old stuff! I did use flash a few times, which might be problematic, as all curators and archivists are trained to regard light as the single biggest [though slow] threat to the longevity of paper and cloth. Hence the 'dark' galleries so common in museums.

Perhaps the folks at Kew would let you phtograph records, avoiding the copying by an expensive employee thing? You can then transcribe any relevant data. I use a voice program to do that, if its any more than a line or two, and it works quite well - not as 'oroiginal', perhaps, as a photocopy of the original, but far cheaper.

My ntuppence worth!
Peter

[peter monahan]

Jean Loup

British KIA ARE OPEN, however the problem is not in accessing the files its getting someone to copy the info for you. ...
Regards

Ken

Ken

When I was last in Ottawa, at Library and Archives Canada I was happy [and mildly surprised] to discover that they had no problem with me photographing records. And I was looking at 200 year old stuff! I did use flash a few times, which might be problematic, as all curators and archivists are trained to regard light as the single biggest [though slow] threat to the longevity of paper and cloth. Hence the 'dark' galleries so common in museums. However, at least at LAC it didn't seem to be an issue.

Perhaps the folks at Kew would let you phtograph records, avoiding the copying by an expensive employee thing? You can then transcribe any relevant data. I use a voice program to do that, if its any more than a line or two, and it works quite well - not as 'oroiginal', perhaps, as a photocopy of the original, but far cheaper.

My tuppence worth!
Peter

[DJT]

You are allowed to use a digital camera (no flash) to photograph documents at Kew.