The Archivo General is located in a beautiful, historic building and is a well-equipped, modern research center. I wanted to spend much more time there. I was only there one day and that just whet my appetite. I will return one day for longer periods of research there. Here are a few thoughts about my trip last summer. First, it is imperative you have some letter of recommendation, preferably from an institution, professor, employer, stating that you are indeed a serious historical researcher and that you have a specific reason for visiting. They are not keen on letting "just anyone" in. They also require you to drop off your passport, and two photos. (I kept a copy in my tiny money bag just in case.) These are reviewed by a director and if she so deems, you are granted an interview regarding your purpose at the archives. I don't know how many people are actually turned away, but they do insist on the formality. These are, after all, extremely valuable original documents and security is of the utmost importance. Also, I suggest you visit the website - http://www.mcu.es/lab/archivos/AGI.html - and get a good feel for the way the archives are set up, so you can express your intentions well. Many of the people in Seville and other Spanish cities speak English, and they are ususally forthcoming when the Spanish words escape your tongue. I found the staff very friendly and willing to help. However, you will need some experience reading in Spanish and perhaps ask for translations of the major menu items in the computer program. Once you get in, you are given an ID badge and a locker ( nothing is allowed in) - I believe they provide you with paper & pencil. I had intentions of taking my printouts with me so I could research several names, but in the end, I had to transfer quick notes onto a sheet they gave me. It is important you allot about half an hour to learn the computer program used to search the archives. I had to wait for a while before someone was free to teach me to use this program. While not difficult, it is still a bit different than what I was accustomed to. If you are searching ships' passenger lists, you will not handle the original sources, but instead view them on screen because most of this has been digitized. You can print a copy of a document you find, but you will need to be sure you pick up printouts often. That is, the printing requests are qued and waiting at the print center. They won't actually print them out until you go pick them up. But, make sure you pick up printouts often, because if you wait to do it all at once, you may have to wait until someone else's requests print out. More importantly, the print center closes earlier than the research center. If it closed you would have to pick them up another day, or have them sent. I've had people tell me it often takes a good while to receive them by mail. Good luck! Hope this helps! Wish I were there! > ** Original Subject: RE: Research in Seville, Spain > ** Original Sender: cromrider@aol.com (CRomRider) > ** Original Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 17:27:43 -0600 (MDT) > ** Original Message follows... > > I am planning a trip to Spain and was wondering if anyone could tell me what to > expect from the Archives in Seville if I wanted to do some research there. My > Spanish is minimal. How do you suggest I prepare for such a trip? > > Carol Rider > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > >** --------- End Original Message ----------- ** > Connie Garcia Dominguez El Paso, TX