Thanks to Somerset and Dorset FHS
Archives reopening
The National Archives at Kew
The National Archives reopened on Tuesday 21 July, offering a limited service to visitors who must book their visit and order their documents in advance. Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00am - 2.50pm. Only the first floor document reading room is open with other facilities still closed including the map and large document reading room, the reference library, exhibition spaces, shop, and cafés. Full details. The National Archives will continue to provide free access to some digital records for the time being.
Somerset
The Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton will reopen to the public on Tuesday 4 August. Access will be by appointment only and further information about booking will be available on Tuesday 28 July. The Centre asks prospective visitors not to contact them before 28 July as they will not be able to process bookings until then. Full details.
Dorset
The Dorset History Centre in Dorchester reopened to the public on a limited basis on Tuesday 7 July, with access to original documents only; there is no access to microfilms or computers. Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10.00am-4.20pm. The Centre remains closed all other days of the week. Advance appointments are necessary, email. Further information.
Local Libraries
As local libraries start to reopen, the home access that they have been offering to Ancestry and/or FindMyPast will gradually end. Libraries West (which covers public libraries in Somerset, Dorset, Bath, Bristol and South Gloucestershire) has been giving Library members free access to Ancestry (worldwide records) during the lockdown and, at present, this is scheduled to end on 31 August, but do keep an eye on their website as the date may change. |
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