Copying National Archive microfilms

[whitley_project]

Has anyone here made copies of micrfilmed material such as ORBs at the National Archives at Kew?

I know it is possible to get copies made, but how are they viewed outside of the archive - i'm not about to buy a microfilm reader!!

Any thoughts gratefully recieved

[robstitt]

Funny you should post this as I was about to post the following...

Was just in touch today with the National Archives at Kew regarding ORBs on DVD.

Contact Mary Leong at Mary.LeongATnationalarchivesDOTgovDOTuk confirms that they will copy ORB microfiche reels onto a CD or DVD at GBP 25.00 per reel for Bitonal and GBP 30.00 per reel for Greyscale. Separate charges apply for the CD or DVD.

I've ordered two sets of ORBs on DVD in the past and it's a heck of a deal - so easy to use once copied onto a hard drive.

Regards:

Robert

[Alan434]

On this topic of digitized microfilm, that is a very good price. A few of us here in Canada have digitized 3 rolls of microfilm with a private company as Canadian Gov. has not taken on this project yet.
We paid $250 Canadian per roll and divided the cost, but still not as cheap as U.K. A bit of an advantage is some rolls had 2 or 3 squadron's.
The company made a PDF scan and a Tiff scan for comparison, the PDF was much better for legibility.
We would like to do more, but due to cost we have very few willing to participate.
Alan
www.rcaf434squadron.com

[bruce dennis]

Hello Whitely Project,
After re-reading the original question, it seems worthwhile pointing out the obvious: visitors to TNA can print hard-copy A3 prints of individual frames from any roll of microfilm there. It is done by using a self-service printer in the main viewing room. Although I haven’t done the maths, I am certain that for most complete rolls it would be cheaper to get a CD, but if you are interested in only a few frames (say a particular month of an ORB) then the self-service option is very attractive. The same would apply if the information you want is spread over more than one roll. If you can’t visit in person, I believe the TNA staff can still make hard copies (for a price) if you specify what you want, which can be tricky, or there are independent researchers (like me) who can do the same.

Hope this helps,
Bruce

[SteveBrooking]

If you visit TNA and if you get authorised to use a digi-camera then you can use the camera in the m/film area and there are special readers with a different type of screen and then you can take photos of the screen. In my experience this works pretty well except with the poorest quality original F540/541 docs.

Steve

[whitley_project]

Thanks guys

I think getting them copied onto CD or DVD is a winner - a fair price too.

[whitley_project]

Does anyone want to share in the cost of getting some ORBS copied? I'm interested in 7, 51, 58, 77, 78, 102, 166 Sqns.

Cheers

[robstitt]

My experience is based on living outside the UK. The two times I've made it to TNA, I've made copies, photographed pages, written copious notes, then got home and then wished I'd recorded more. For a modest price, a DVD is always at one's fingertips.
Regards:
Robert

[Ed Cooke]

Whitley Project,would be interested in 102 Squadron May'41 to July '42,bear in mind that I live 5000 miles away,renton Washington,let me know.Ed

[aestorm]

Rob
I too have found Mary Leong, at the National Archives at Kew , very helpful.

When I ordered ORB DVD in 2006 Mary seemed to be one of only two people working in that specific department, of the NA. It cost £50 for the DVD + postage & a preliminary search for the AIR numbers was £30.
Cost would depend on amount of reel filming you need.

Anne