Genealogy Chat

See below so that you get paragraphs

I have just realised I may have been very, very silly. Shortly before Christmas I thought I had ordered a document from National Archives. I had never done this before. I found the document I wanted, filled in the form, paid the £10 requested, and sat back and waited. I did think it rather strange when they emailed me an estimate for £10 when I had already paid £10, but as I was having computer problems at the time, I thought no more about it. Finally, today, wondering just how long it normally takes to get documents from National Archives, I went back and re-read the emails. Silly, silly me. I was supposed to respond to the estimate and place the order (which, as I had already paid £10, would have cost me no more money). I keep clicking on the link in the email to get to the right place to order from this estimate, but all I get is 'Site unavailable'. I can get into the National Archives site in the normal way. There does not appear to be any way to go from there into my personal estimate. Have I left it too long to now order the document which I have already paid for? Tina (sobbing quietly in the corner)

Oh Tina ...feel for you...it is difficult to know how to go about getting certificates when you are new to it all. It took me a while to order my first was struggling with the GRO until a kind soul on GR helped me. Certifiacte not arrived yet but should be here any day. Don't give up. truly :0))) x

Tina Yes, I think so. But cheer up, repeat the process and remember to send the confirmatory e-mail after they've sent the estimate. nell

Tina if i was you.... I would send an e.mail through their normal contact facility and explain what has happened.... I would also play on their heart strings and plead 'pig ignorance, stupidity' et al.... It sometimes works :))) Chris

Oh, thank goodness, I thought everyone was ignoring me because you were all rolling around on the floor laughing at my stupidity! Truly, thank you for responding. Actually, it is not certificates I am trying to order, it's a copy of a document in the national archives. I have cracked getting certificates - rather too well actually and have spent more money than I care to admit on them! Nell But they charge for the estimate, so if I repeat the process, won't they just charge me another £10 for the new estimate? Chris I fear that you are right. I am just going to have to throw myself on their mercy and admit that I have become a silly old woman - just when I have been trying so hard to convince myself that I am neither silly nor old. Truth hurts! Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I think a long unadulterated gin is called for while I try to word a sufficiently crawling email. Tina

So, having emptied the gin bottle I decided to write the crawling email. I went to the National Archives site and, crucially, and for the first time today, logged in. Guess what, there was the link to my estimate, which had an expiry date of 19th March, so I have been able to complete the order and can now sit back and await my document - again! I am so, so, so stupid! Does anyone know a good vet who would come round and humanely put me out of my misery. Tina

****kerpow Tina!***

Ah well, Joy, if my trials and tribulations have produced a chuckle for you, perhaps it has all been worthwhile after all! Tina

oh yes!! how about a cat reunion?

It costs £10 for the estimate, but this is offset against the cost of the document. I suppose this is to stop people asking for things they don't really want. nell

Tina, I don't think you're silly at all. I think it was an easy mistake to make. Glad it's all sorted and hope you enjoy reading the document when it arrives. Jean x.

Perhaps there's a lesson for us all in there somewhere, Tina. Haven't yet had to order anything from there yet ...but if I ever do... thanks for ther inadvertant tip!!! Kat

Thank you for the kind words of comfort. I have crawled out of the gin bottle (well, once it's empty not a lot of point staying in there). Kat, I am so pleased to find that I have actually managed to give a tip. You know me, always like to stick to the rules when on the Tips Board!!!!! Tina