Genealogy Weather!

Jellybaby1 · 24-05-2012 2:57pm #1

Since the weather changed to...well, nice, I find it hard to drag myself into the repositories. But if I do, will it be full of tourists at this time of the year? Or should I leave it until after the tourist season?

pinkypinky · 24-05-2012 3:03pm

I've never seen a vast amount of tourists doing genealogy at any time of the year. They mostly just monopolise the advisory services in the NLI and NA, and you'd hardly need them!

Jellybaby1 · 24-05-2012 8:46pm

Well that's good news for me, thanks. Hoping to catch up with a distant relative first before I trek in.

P. Breathnach · 30-05-2012 6:12pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

I've never seen a vast amount of tourists doing genealogy at any time of the year. They mostly just monopolise the advisory services in the NLI and NA, and you'd hardly need them!

There won't be many tourists monopolising the advisory services in the National Archives: the service has been suspended from today.

Waitsian · 30-05-2012 6:31pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

There won't be many tourists monopolising the advisory services in the National Archives: the service has been suspended from today.

Anything to do with cutbacks and mergers I wonder?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0524/1224316609948.html

Edit: http://www.nationalarchives.ie/2012/05/genealogy-service/

P. Breathnach · 30-05-2012 6:44pm

Herself was in the NA today. She was given to understand that the statement

The Genealogy Service in the National Archives will be temporarily suspended from 1 June – it is hoped to reinstate this service as soon as possible.

is code for "gone due to cutbacks, and with no reasonable hope of restoration of the service".

pinkypinky · 30-05-2012 7:39pm

Wow!

I know the current contract was coming to an end - they were seeking tenders last year for the service. Guess they didn't find the right group at the right price. That is a serious shame.

Jellybaby1 · 30-05-2012 9:14pm

There are going to be a lot of disappointed tourists this year.

pedroeibar1 · 30-05-2012 10:29pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

Wow!
. That is a serious shame.

Agreed. However it seems a bit odd, what with Deenihan's views on family history as a tourism generator. Maybe he will ride to the fore when the R word is over.

Coolnabacky1873 · 31-05-2012 3:46am

A real shame. Claire's blog entry was interesting as I didn't know the service was provided by APGI members. Basd on what pinky says above I'm guessing they must have had some sort of contract to provide the service?

I wonder will researchers wander up stairs and ask the service desk staff all sorts of genealogical questions from now on.

As Pedro says, maybe Deenihan will get the service resumed...or maybe they will look for volunteers to step into the breach instead.

P. Breathnach · 31-05-2012 8:55am

I would be very offended if paid staff were laid off and an effort were made to recruit volunteers to take their place.

I don't think it necessary that a free advisory service be provided. It might have been better to introduce a fee system pitched at a level sufficient to cover staffing costs.

RGM · 31-05-2012 9:44am

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. What exactly has been suspended? I'm arriving in Dublin next weekend!

Does this mean I'll be able to get certs, but not do searches?

P. Breathnach · 31-05-2012 10:04am

Don't panic. The service that is being suspended is the genealogical advisory service in the National Archives. There has been no curtailment of access to records.

RGM · 31-05-2012 10:22am

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Don't panic. The service that is being suspended is the genealogical advisory service in the National Archives. There has been no curtailment of access to records.

The nerve. Let me get Barry Obama on the phone and I'll set this right.

Waitsian · 31-05-2012 1:28pm

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0531/1224316987797.html

Makes for interesting reading - including the comments.

Genealogy Weather!

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