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The National Archives must be more than a business
I’d like to reply to Else Churchill’s blog about changes at the National Archives.
I am entirely in favour of wider access, and I am no less in favour of family history (as a former professional genealogist I could not be otherwise). But, in common with a very large number of people in all areas of historical research, I am gravely concerned by what is happening at the National Archives (TNA).
First, digitisation is regarded as the universal panacea. It isn’t. It has immense long-term cost implications, and it requires constant upgrading of technology. Nobody knows the longevity of any digital method, and nobody can assess the costs of managing its future. But, be assured, they will be immense.
Second, the process erodes what is surely a fundamental principle – that access to information should, whenever possible, be free. This is the heritage of the nations and peoples of the British Isles, not a commodity like baked beans or margarine.
Third, the role of archivists has been downgraded at TNA to the point where they are regarded as expendable, as is the expertise of the many specialists who work there. In total 35 posts of senior archivists, collections managers and subject specialists are getting the chop. All others will have to apply for their own jobs.
Fourth, reducing opening times sets a terrible example – where TNA leads, other archive authorities may follow: already, West Yorkshire is proposing to reduce the opening of the record offices at Halifax and Bradford from five to two days a week. The agenda is aimed at reducing visitor numbers.
It’s inconceivable that any other great national institution – the British Library, the National Gallery, the British Museum – would positively discourage people from entering the building.
The management of TNA is now in the hands of people who do not come from archival backgrounds and have no experience as archivists (unlike, say, the people who head the National Gallery or British Museum, who are experts in their fields as art historians and librarians).
It seems to me that they see TNA as just a business. It isn’t. The heritage of this and every future generation should not be treated in this fashion. This is not about charges for car-parking or cutting costs. It is about the integrity and role of the institution which lies at the very heart of our national collective memory.
Alan Crosby is editor of The Local Historian
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TNA
Coming late to this blog I was amazed at the number of people who were as disappointed with their experiences at Kew as I have been. After a lengthy (and expensive) trip from Wales, hoping to further my novice attempts at several branches of my family trees, I was well out of my depth at the TNA. I couldnt find answers to several queries and tried to find help, but there were very few people available and even less who appeared to have time for me. I too was told to search elsewhere for answers. The whole atmosphere can be very intimidating for first-timers and could put people off trying again. Can I mention, though, that I had very different experiences at county records offices, Chelsford in particular were very helpful and welcoming. I found much more information through them and intend to try others!
TNA changes
Alan Crosby.....you hit the nail right on the head!!!!
i have attended the TNA on many occasions, and it was only last Saturday that i actually gained any help or info......on the other occasions i was basically pointed to a computer and left to get on with it....well i can search ancestry, the genealogist, curious fox and lots of other online facilities as i have a fair few subscriptions....the staff at the TNA have frequently told me that the records i am wanting to see arent held there or have been destroyed.....yet everywhere i go i am pointed back to the TNA.....example....i was looking for a service record for an ancestor who was a sergeant in the royal artillery.....they found me a muster record but only after a member of staff had given me the wrong catalogue numbers to search and i had to ask another member of staff to help me.... but they didnt really know where to look for a service record.....therefore, apparently, it probably doesnt exist!!....i was told they were under staffed when it took them over 3 hours to get me a free scanned copy of my fathers merchant seaman record as well....
it's definitely treated like a business, as last week a photocopier wasnt working so they offered to scan a file i did manage to get....for £10 a sheet!!!!! instead of 20p for a photocopy.....so i insisted they point me in the direction of a photocopier in a different part of the building....i understand small charges for digitisation....but the prices of things are rising very quickly
apparently they closed the family records centre in london as they couldnt get enough people to use it....and now they are saying they want to reduce the amount of opening hours at TNA.....yet everyone is making comments about how family tracing is becoming a more popular hobby....its everyone right to search their family tree and see the records which relate to their ancestors....another comment that is very very frequently said.....so which one is it?? not enough people coming through the doors or genealogy is becoming more popular?
Re TNA CHANGES
I agree with what Alan said as well. It certainly looks like the management of TNA are more interested in making profits for themselves without any regard for their staff or the documents. By pretending they are making changes for the public's interest is very misleading. The only persons who gain from their proposed plans with closures and staff redundancies are the managements pay packets. I still haven't forgiven them for closing the FRC. There was no way that facility was under used. It's just another excuse for the management to deceive us and they really need to be made accountable for this.
TNA changes
Thanks to Alan Crosby - we need someone to stand up for common sense. How about some cuts on TNA's admin types - personnel, PR and the rest. And how come an organisation in financial crisis can afford a huge pay rise for its CEO when it can't afford to pay the staff who do the real work?
TNA Changes
Regarding the changes we read that are happening at TNA one thing would be made illegal and that is that staff should be put in a position as follows - All others will have to apply for their own jobs. TNA, like all similar Archives around the UK are very important and I agree with Alan Crosby's comments.
Robert Dalgleish
TNA changes
Alan Crosby is absolutely right - management consultants like Natalie Ceeney (the CEO of TNA) are all very well in their place, but not if they don't understand the first thing about the nature of the 'business' they are managing. The place is top heavy with managers who have no archival knowledge at all.