Yes I can recall my first visit to Somerset house and the upper floors with the huge leather bound volumes. I seem to remember a cert cost the same as a dog licence ie 7/-6d or 35 np . At least then there was somewhere to seek out the index. I think its a great shame that central gov has not satisfactorily replaced the Family History Centre in Middleton street. I believe there is a set of the BMD indexes in the BL but that's not open access and a readers ticket is required. Julian Duffus Sog member 1979 to present Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2 -----Original Message----- From: Barry Faiers <barry@faiers.org> Sender: sog-uk-bounces@rootsweb.com Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 21:33:13 To: Merryl Wells<merryl.wells@one-name.org>; <sog-uk@rootsweb.com> Reply-To: barry@faiers.org, sog-uk@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SOG-UK] Harrington Gardens 30 years ago now Sadly I was never able to visit Harrington Gardens, as much as I wanted to. I started researching my family history in about 1971 and heard about a strange society that may have been able to help. I eagerly sent off my SAE for details, and in return received a wad of pretty coloured papers, amongst which was an application form. I grabbed my pen (fountain type in those days) and started to fill in the usual details until I came to a question which asked 'Please give references from 2 members of the Society'. Full stop end of application filling. It was another 10 years in the mid '80's before I found out that the rules had changed and a letter from a responsible person or employer would be acceptable as a reference. I typed the letter from my boss, bought him a pint to convince him I was a responsible person, and he duly signed. I was admitted to membership. The boot seems to be on the other foot now with the Society seeking members rather than putting obstacles in the way. I do however remember the good old days at Somerset House and always marvelled that no volumes ever when 'over the edge' into now what we would call the atrium. ----- Original Message ----- From: <jjgduffus@gmail.com> To: <sog-uk@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 6:21 PM Subject: [SOG-UK] Harrington Gardens 30 years ago now >> Does anyone on the list remember their reactions to the move to New >> Building >> from the wonderfully ramshackle premises in Harrington Gardens. >> >> I can recall how nicely accessible the Great Card Index was in its new >> home. >> >> I missed the character and style of the old place and slipping out in >> the >> private gardens to have lunch >> >> Wonder if the society plans to mark this anniversary? >> >> Julian Duffus >> >> SoG member 1978 to present >> >> ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SOG-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message