Denise I found a beauty, a few years back at the optomterists that slides between a leather pouch cover, sits in my handbag without getting scratched etc. I use it continously when transcribing from CPS records, mine is only about 2-3" in diameter and was around $40 - $50 larger one's were available, I found it well worth the expence Regards Marg ----- Original Message ----- From: "Denise McMahon" <helendmc@powerup.com.au> To: <AUS-VIC-NE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, 10 February 2002 11:52 Subject: [AVNE] Resources > Can anyone tell me where I can buy a magnifying glass. Not the little ones you buy in the newsagencies but much stronger. > > I have been using a magnifying sheet, under a lamp with a torch shining onto the subject. > I now have a photo of a minutes book taken in the St. Johns Lodge and I am trying to read the names. > > I have found that shining a good torch onto the paper,/photo/book/newsprint/whatever makes things much clearer. > > It also shows up marks which naked eye can't see on the back of photos. I have found a few names on the backs of 1800 photos which I couldn't see, until the torch was shone on it.. Obviously the pen/pencil or whatever was used has faded, but the indentation is still there. > > Thought it may be a good clue for everyone. > > Denise > >