The Public Record Office is now the National Archives. Two changes since I went there last The first is that you can now take digital cameras in and make copies of original documents. There is no charge for this and there was no need to book in advance (at least today anyway). You first need to get a 'photo' sticker for your reader's ticket. Go to the desk in the photocopying section - they will ask you to complete a form (copyright etc) and will ask you to operate your camera to make sure it is suitable. What are they looking for: No flash - this is not permitted, so it must be able to take pictures in available light. No tripods etc are allowed Quiet - it must be silent or very quiet in operation to avoid disturbing other readers. Now you have your 'photo' sticker. When you are allocated a seat, tell them that you wish to use a camera, and you will be given a seat in the 'glassed' area of the reading room (where there is additional supervision) and near the window (more light!) The other change is that from today (August 4th) you are not allowed to take a bag or folder of any sort beyond the public area. This includes pencil cases, files and paper wallets. When you get to the desk by the swipe card machine for your readers ticket, you are given a clear plastic bag in which you put the items you are allowed to take in - graphite pencils without rubbers, up to 5 sheets loose paper, a notebook and nothing else (except wallet, keys, lap top & camera ). You have to leave everything else in free lockable lockers (remember your locker number as the keys are not numbered). You can no longer take your files and folders with you so you must do your homework thoroughly before you go so you know what you are looking for. Just make some brief notes to take in with you. As before everything is checked when you leave to make sure you are not taking any documents out with you. On a different note - Marks and Spencer, about 5 minutes walk away, has a very nice cafe and also sells sandwiches, salads, drinks etc to take out, at the same prices as all its other branches nationwide. Helen Cooling down very slightly in Weymouth's sea breeze - the temperature was 35 C at Kew and along much of the M4, M25 and M2 motorways! Helen Jones, Weymouth, Dorset http://www.melcombe.freeserve.co.uk List Admin Rootsweb Eng Dorset & Scammell Lists, and British Genealogy Eng-Dorset, Surnames & Forenames list