Historical Search Room open again at the National Records of Scotland

The Historic Search Room of the National Records of Scotland, based upstairs within the building, is now open again, with researchers now being sent there rather than the temporary based Reid Room facility during the pandemic. The access provisions are as previously stated in its Service Status page (https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/service-status), last updated on June 17th:

The Historical Search Room is now open to all customers but is operating with reduced capacity and by appointment only. Please see our Guidelines for users of the Reid Historical Search Room (326 KB jpeg) for further information.

Access to the Historical Search Room is by appointment only. The search room is open between 10:00 – 16:30, Mondays to Fridays (except for certain public holidays). You will be given a designated arrival time upon booking your appointment.

Several of my colleagues from the Scottish Genealogy Network are reporting that there are many vacancies in the room upon visits, presumably with people having quickly gone through the limited resources they have been able to gain access to (a maximum of 12 productions). There are eleven tables, with three set aside for computers, and the camera stand is available, which does not require booking. One bundle of records is being delivered at a time to researchers, comprised of a maximum of three productions.

Colleagues are also reporting that tables have been delivered to the Dundas and Reid Rooms, and it seems some activity may be happening there to return the service back to normal in the near future. 

Since the publication of Fergus Smith's open letter to Paul Lowe on Tuesday evening (see http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2022/06/open-letter-protesting-ongoing.html), the number of people signing has now increased to 95 - you can access the letter, with the updated signatory list, at https://www.oldscottish.com/blog/open-letter-to-nrs.

(With thanks to SGN colleagues)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.