I sent this to this list recently, and in view of recent correspondence I think it's worth repeating! ================================== "Last year I contacted the Meath Heritage Centre in Trim, and a delightful lady sent me a whole pile of printouts, including photocopies of the census form that was filled in by grandfather Anthony Melvin in 1901. It also bears his signature which we find very emotive. The Melvin family were (and still are) protestants and their records are based on Loughcrew Church near Oldcastle, now sold and closed, in bad repair and looks unwanted. Even the memorials which adorned the walls inside the building have been removed and now form part of the old churchyard wall. They were never designed for being exhibited externally and appear to be degrading rapidly. I think it's better to deal with the Heritage Centre by mail rather than personal visit, because when I went there in mid-June 2002, just a few rainy weeks ago, I was disappointed to find that it's only a small office, hidden well away in the town hall in Mill Street near the castle, and the reception wasn't very warm or helpful! Crazily, they only keep the 1901 census there - the 1911 follow-on is in Dublin! Mystifyingly, some distance away, just across the river bridge, there is a substantial building described very boldly as the "Trim Visitors Centre", and which bears a large and colourful sign advertising the "Meath Genealogical Centre". I went in to the reception to enquire, but the two girls there had never heard of it (even though the sign was just outside above their office window) and had to make a phone call to find out where it was... The phone call revealed that the "Meath Genealogical Centre" and the "Meath Heritage Centre" are the same place. "So why", I asked, "is it very colourfully and prominently advertised on your wall outside if it's not here and you've never heard of it?" A reasonable question I thought. However, the answer - a real classic this one - was that "The sign just tells you we've got one, it doesn't say it's here". Go figure! If anybody connected with the Meath Heritage Centre reads this, will they please send a note to the list stating where exactly they are and what are REALLY able to offer? I wasted a whole day getting to Trim and back. ================================== Best wishes fellow researchers Bryan Morgan Researching Melvin and Bowers --------/!\________/!\-------------------------------//|\\=====//|\\----- >From border Monmouthshire, between the Severn Bridges... Saved - the old Severn Ferry! Follow her restoration at http://www.severnprincess.co.uk A picture of South Wales village life: The Caerwent Community website at http://www.caerwentcom.com Monmouthshire as it was a century ago in a 1901 Kelly's Trade Directory: http://www.kellys1901.co.uk