Obtaining Information During the Covid-19 Restrictions

 As I am working on a number of stories about ancestors, I have had many occasions to contact archives, libraries and other institutions for information. But wherever you go these days, there are restrictions in place for access.

Many offices, government and otherwise, have been closed with some employees working from home. That means they do not have access to the actual files unless those records have been digitized. Even then, getting copies made can be more time-consuming and difficult.

Last fall, I ordered a copy of military records from the UK Ministry of Defence for a relative that served with the British Army during WWII. They were just in the process of getting the file copied when they were locked down in the spring. I realized that this would be a problem so did not pursue the matter until the summer. Their office was completely closed for five months. An email message from them in July told me that they were doing some processing but that it could take many more months to get the results. The file finally arrived in the mail in October.

Some archives, such The National Archives (UK) have opened on a limited basis. Only a few people have been able to visit the premises and orders for record copying can only be sent in on weekends. At least it is something. Unfortunately, it did not last long as a new lockdown this past week shut down in person visits again.

I have been able to put in an order for a document to be copied online (you can only do so on weekends). I hope to get the copy with a month. For records that are already digitized, one can now download many more files than was the case in the past.

I have been busy getting copies of ships’ crew lists for vessels my great-grandfather served on in the early 20^th century. All of it was achievable because people were in the archives offices and able to access the records. The Glamorgan Archives in Cardiff, Wales, has been very helpful even with limited staff onsite.

Some sites, such as the Maritime History Archive only offer access online, but it still depends on someone being able to get to the place where files are stored in order to make copies. The MHA has been exceedingly cooperative in looking up information and making digital copies.

Having access to database subscriptions has meant that I could continue to search for and find records for many people and events. For those that do not have such access or cannot visit family history offices to use their facilities, the current situation must e very frustrating.

We are being challenged to find different ways to get information or falling back on some of the old ways – such as email – to make contact with various groups. Libraries and archives offices are understaffed all over the world, so it takes much more time to get acknowledgment and results of requests. When you live a long way away from locations where records are kept, as I do with respect to British files, you are somewhat used to doing things online or waiting for files to be sent.

Mother Nature does not care much for our little dilemmas, though. We may as well get used to using different methods and experiencing longer wait times until this latest pandemic passes.