CH. V – Making contacts

CH. V – Making contacts

49- Tracing relatives and friends

50- Family tree

51- Birth, marriage and death certificates and divorce records

52- Youth exchanges

53- School exchanges

54- Twinning my town

49- How can I trace my relatives and friends in Britain?

It is sometimes helpful to place an advertisement in the personal column of local newspapers in the area where relatives or friends were last known to be living.
Addresses of local newspapers in Britain can be obtained

from ‘Willings Press Guide’,published annually by:

Reed Information Services,

Windsor Court,

East Grinstead House,

East Grinstead,

West Sussex RH19 1XA.

Visitors to Britain can trace relatives and friends through local electoral registers, which contain the names and addresses of everyone living in an area over the age of 18, or current telephone directories. Electoral registers and current telephone directories for the whole country can be viewed at most libraries.

Online information : British Media Online

Telephone directories dating from the end of the 19th century to the recent past may be viewed at:
British Telecom Archives

3rd Floor,

Holborn Telephone Exchange

268-270 High Holborn

London WC1V 7EE

(At least a day’s notice should be given for an appointment)

Birth, marriage and death certificates feature addresses of individuals. Copies may be viewed and purchased at offices listed in question 51.

Family members: the following registered charities offer a tracing service in urgent cases for immediate family members only:
Salvation Army Family Tracing Service

101 Newington Causeway

London SE1 6BN

Tel +44 (0) 171 383 2772
Note: Persons living outside Britain should initially contact the Salvation Army in their country.

International Social Service of Great Britain

Cranmer House

39 Brixton Road

London SW9 6DD

Tél. +44 20 77 35 89 41

Tel. +44 (0) 171 735 8491

The Department of Social Security may assist in tracing missing relatives only in the event of a family crisis such as a death or sudden illness:
Section A,

Department of Social Security

Longbenton,

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1YX

Tel +44 (0) 191 213 5000

If you want to ask the help of professional researchers or detective agencies in Britain consult the following organisations for advice and a list of members:
- Association of British Investigators Ltd

- Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives

- Institute of Professional Investigators

For further information on tracing family members see also advice on compiling a family tree in question 50.

50- Where can I get information for my family tree?

Sources of information for those undertaking genealogical research include birth, marriage and death certificates which are available from the appropriate register office (see question 51);

- parish registers (information available from county or district record offices)

- and divorce records (available from the appropriate office - see question 51).

In addition, public records are valuable sources of information.

Copies of material such as legal documents, property and succession records, census returns, taxation records, old parish registers, etc. should be sought from the following offices.

Please note that offices can answer specific enquiries, but will not undertake research:

England and Wales
Family Records Centre

1 Myddleton Street

London EC1R 1UW

Tel +44 (0) 181 392 5300

Scotland
Scottish Record Office

Registar General for Scotland

New Registrar House

Edinburgh EH1 3YT

Tel +44 (0) 131 556 6585

or

Pay-per-view Services: Scots Origins

Northern Ireland
Public Record Office

66 Balmoral Avenue

Belfast BT9 6NY

Tel +44 (0) 1232 661 621

Genealogical researchers:

Those wishing to enlist the services of an independent agent to conduct research on their behalf may contact the Record Office concerned for a list of reputable researchers, or write to:

Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives

29 Badgers Close

Horsham

West Sussex RH12 5RU

Tel +44 (0) 1403 263119
(enclose six International Reply Coupons)

Further advice can be found in:

‘Tracing your Ancestors in the Public Record Office’,

by Amanda Bevin and Andrea Duncan (HMSO, now The Stationery Office Limited), 1990): The Stationery Office - TSO

General enquiries about Stationery Office publications should be sent to

The Publications Centre,

PO Box 276,

London SW8 5DT

Tel +44 (0) 171 873 0011

More links:

Information on genealogical research

General Register Office - Research

51- Where do I get birth, marriage and death certificates and divorce records?

To obtain certificates of birth, marriage and death in England and Wales since 1 July 1837 contact:
General Register Office,

PO Box 2,

Southport,

Merseyside PR8 2JD

Tel +44 (0) 1704 563563
Certificates cost £15.00 per full certificate, inclusive of postage. Payment should be made by International Money Order in pounds sterling (or sterling draft) made out to a London clearing house. Cheques should be made payable to the OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS (International Money Orders are obtainable from the foreign exchange department of large banks or specialist foreign exchange companies). Payment can also be made by Access, Visa or Mastercard.

Certificates can be obtained in person from:
General Register Office

St Catherine’s House,

10 Kingsway,

London WC2B 6JP

Tel +44 (0) 171 242 0262

or

Family Records Centre

1 Myddelton Street

London EC1R 1UW

Certificates issued in Scotland since 1855 (and many previously) can be obtained by post or in person from:
Registrar General

New Register House

Edinburgh, EH1 3YT

Tel +44 (0) 131 334 0380 (Price £12.00 per certificate)

Certificates issued in Northern Ireland since 1864 can be obtained by post or in person from:
Registrar General

Oxford House

49-55 Chichester Street

Belfast BT1 4HL

Tel +44 (0) 1232 250000 (£6.00 per certificate)

Records from Northern Ireland for the period 1864-1922 are also kept at:
The General Register Office

Joyce House

8-11 Lombard Street

East Dublin 2

Tel +353 1 671 1968

Some records prior to the dates noted are held by parish registers. Local county or district record offices should be contacted for advice on their availability.

Divorce records

for England and Wales can be obtained from:
Principal Registry of the Family Division

Decree Absolute Search Section

First Avenue House

42-49 High Holborn

London WC1B 6NP

Postal enquiries are liable to a fee of £20.00 (plus postage) for a decree absolute in each 10 year period searched. Records prior to 1938 are held at:
Family Records Centre,

1 Myddleton Street,

London EC1R 1UW

Tel +44 (0) 171 233 9233

Those looking for Scottish and Northern Irish divorce records should first send a written enquiry to:

for Scotland and Northern Ireland:

- Scotland:

Extractor of the Court of Session

Parliament House

Parliament Square

Edinburgh EH1 1RQ
Tel +44 (0) 131 225 2595

A fee of £14.00 is charged for each certificate

- Northern Ireland:

Probate and Matrimonial Office

Family Division

Royal Courts of Justice

Chichester Street

Belfast BTI 3JF

Tel +44 (0) 1232 235 111

A fee of £5.00 is charged if the case reference is known - if not, an additional £5.00 fee is charged.

52- How do I organise youth exchanges with Britain?

Pen friends:

International Pen Friends

PO Box 42

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Northumberland TD15 1RU

Friends by Post (any age)

43 Chatsworth Road

High Lane

Stockport

Cheshire SK6 8DA

Voir aussi :Echanges scolaires et correspondants (British Council)

The Youth Exchange Centre, a department of the British Council, promotes youth exchange between Britain and other countries. Although its primary function is to establish contacts between youth groups in Britain and abroad, youth groups overseas may be able to advertise in its newsletter, ‘Youth Exchange News’.
Youth Exchange Centre

The British Council,

10 Spring Gardens,

London SW1A 2BN

Tel +44 (0) 171 389 4030

Fax +44 (0) 389 4033

and Connect Youth

Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council (CYEC)

promotes contact between groups of people aged 16-25 from Britain and all other Commonwealth countries by means of two-way youth exchanges. It also publishes ‘Contact’, a handbook for Commonwealth youth exchange and ‘Safety Welfare Guidelines’ - essential reading for youth exchange organisers. Note: CYEC is not able to provide direct funding to overseas groups.
Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council

7 Lion Yard,

Tremadoc Rd,

Clapham,

London SW4 7NQ

Tel +44 (0) 171 498 6151

Fax +44 (0) 171 720 5403

The European Commission operates the Youth for Europe Programme, and can put youth groups in the 15 EU member states and in Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway in contact with Youth for Europe National Agencies.

For full details of the programme write to Youth Programme:
European Commission,

Directorate-General XXII

Education,

Training and Youth

Unit C.2,

Rue de la Loi 200,

B-1049, Brussels

Tel (32-2) 295 11 00

Fax (32-2) 299 41 58
and

France-Education-School exchanges (British Council)

53- How do I organise school exchanges with Britain?

Those wishing to organise school exchanges should write to :
The Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges

10 Spring Gardens,

London SW1A 2BN

Tel +44 (0) 171 389 4004

Fax +44 (0) 171 389 4426

The Central Bureau is the national office responsible for the provision of information and advice on all forms of educational visits and exchanges from Britain and the linking of British educational establishments and local education authorities with counterparts abroad.

The European School Exchange Databank allows schools seeking a partner to register on a database. The information provided will then be passed on to potential partners across Europe. Registration on the database is free, but a listing of registered schools is charged for.
European School Exchange Databank

Stichting Europees

Platform voor het Nederlandse Onderwijs Nassauplein 8,

1815 GM Alkmaar,

The Netherlands

Tel (31) 72 511 85 02

MORE:

- European Schoolnet

- British Council

- primary and secondary schools: Windows on the World

54- How can I twin (jumeler) my town with one in Britain?

Write to International Links Team

Local Government International Bureau

Local Government House

Smith Square

London SW1P 3HZ

Tel: +44 (0) 171 222 1636

Fax: +44 (0) 171 233 2179 (for an information pack on twinning (jumelage).

BACK Home <--> NEXT to Chapter VI

Cliquer sur TOP pour revenir au début de cette page

CH. XIII - Practical advice and useful addresses

CH. XIII– Practical advice and useful addresses

95- VAT

96- BBC World Service
97- Quarantine regulation
98- Postage rates
99- British stamps
100- Contacts

95- How can I claim back VAT?

Tourists who purchase goods at shops participating in the Retail Export Scheme may apply for a refund if they intend to leave Britain for a final destination outside the European Union within three months of the date of purchase. Visitors should ascertain before making their purchase whether or not a refund will be available.

• At the time of the purchase the retailer will ask to see a passport to establish the customer’s eligibility for the refund scheme.

• Both parties should then complete the refund document provided by the retailer (form VAT 407 or a refund company voucher).

• The VAT form or refund voucher must be presented with the goods for certification by HM Customs and Excise when the customer departs from the European Union. Forms cannot be certified after departure from the EU.

• The certified form should then be sent to the retailer or funding company, and the claim will be processed and a refund cheque (in sterling) sent to the purchaser. Alternatively, the form may be handed in at the refunding company office at the airport for an immediate refund, if applicable.

• Any correspondence about non-receipt of funds should be sent to the retailer or refunding company, not HM Customs and Excise or British Government Offices.An information leaflet about claiming back VAT for overseas visitors may be obtained from:

The Southbank VAT Centre,

HM Customs and Excise

Dorset House,

Stamford Street,

London SE1 9PY

Tel +44 (0) 171 202 4087

96- Where can I find out about the BBC World Service?

To find out the frequencies for the BBC World Service write to:
BBC World Service

PO Box 76,

Bush House,

Strand,

London WC2B 4PH

e-mail worldservice.letters@bbc.co.uk

website http://www.bbcnc.org.uk/worldservice/

Tel +44 (0) 171 240 3456 Fax +44 (0) 171 379 6841

In addition, the BBC Worldwide Magazine, available by subscription (contact address above), publishes a complete listing and regular updates of frequencies.

97- What are the regulations for repatriating deceased people to Britain?

All deaths must be registered in the country where death occurs. The local police or the British Consul can give advice on how to do this. The death may also be registered at the British Consulate, and by doing so a British death certificate may be obtained.

In certain countries British Consulates cannot issue death certificates. These are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

British Consuls can also provide a list of local funeral directors and advise on the transport of the deceased back to Britain.

98- Where can I find out about postage rates?

Any Post Office in Britain can advise on postage rates within Britain or overseas. There are two postage rates in Britain first class and second class.
- First class postage should be used for letters requiring delivery on the next working day.
- Second class should be used for items that are not urgent - most second class letters are delivered within three working days.

For further information or details of charges call

the Post Office Counters Services Helpline on 0345 22 33 44 (calls within Britain only)

99- Where can I find out about philatelic clubs and obtain British stamps?

The British Philatelic Bureau can supply a wide range of British postage stamps and other philatelic items by mail order. The Bureau’s monthly Philatelic Bulletin gives details of all new stamp issues, First Day Cover services, postmarks and other information about postage stamps and philately. For a free information pack contact:

The British Philatelic Bureau

20 Brandon Street,

Edinburgh,

EH3 5TT

Tel +44 (0) 131 550 8989

100- Where can I find the address of...?

The British Council

The British Council has offices throughout Japan. Click here for details.

The British Tourist Authority

The BTA has an offices in Tokyo. Click here for details.

Buckingham Palace

The address is:

Buckingham Palace,

London SW1A 1AA

Charities and voluntary organisations

Charities and voluntary organisations are listed in the Charities Digest, published annually by:
Waterlow Information Services Limited

Paulton House,

8 Shepherdess Walk,

London N1 7LB

Tel +44 (0) 171 490 0049

Fax +44 (0) 171 253 1308

Alternatively,
The Charity Commissioners

St Alban’s House,

57-60 Haymarket,

London SW1Y 4QX

Tel +44 (0) 171 210 4477

Fax +44 (0) 171 210 4559
maintain a central register of charities.

For details of voluntary organisations consult

The Voluntary Agencies Directory, published by:
National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Regent’s Wharf,

8 All Saints Street,

London N1 9RL

Tel +44 (0) 171 713 6161

Fax +44 (0) 171 713 6300

Embassies and High Commissions

Embassies in London are listed in the Central London area telephone directory, also in parliamentary guides such as the PMS Parliamentary Companion.

Government departments

These are listed in the telephone directory (Central London area)

and in parliamentary guides such as the PMS Parliamentary Companion,

or access all Government departments on the Government’s website:

website http://www.open.gov.uk/

Members of Parliament

MPs can be contacted by post at:

House of Commons,

London SW1A 0AA

Full details of MPs and their constituencies can be obtained from:
The Public Information Office

House of Commons Library,

1 Derby Gate,

London SW1A 2DG

Tel +44 (0) 171 219 4272

National newspapers

National newspapers are listed in the Willings Press Guide published by:
Reed Information Services

Windsor Court,

East Grinstead House,

East Grinstead,

West Sussex RH19 1XA

Tel +44 (0) 342 326972

Political parties
These are listed in parliamentary guides, or contact head offices.

Conservative and Unionist Party:

Tel +44 (0) 171 222 9000

Fax +44 (0) 171 222 1135

Labour Party:

Tel +44 (0) 171 701 1234

Fax +44 (0) 171 234 3300Liberal

Democrats:

Tel +44 (0) 171 222 7999

Fax +44 (0) 171 799 2170

Museums

Popular museums are listed in Museums and Galleries in Great Britain and Ireland, published by:
Reed Information Services

Tel +44 (0) 342 326972

or contact

the British Tourist Authority (BTA)

Telephone Information Line on

Tel +44 (0) 181 846 9000

Television companies

TV companies are listed in the Blue Book of British Broadcasting, published by:
Tellex Monitors Ltd,

Communications House,

210 Old Street, London EC1V 9UN

Tel +44 (0) 171 490 1447

Fax +44 (0) 171 490 8595
This guide gives exhaustive details of all television and radio companies in Britain.

The British Film Institute Film and TV Handbook, published by

BFI,

21 Stephen Street,

London W1P 2LN, also lists television companies.

Universities

UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the central agency which acts on behalf of all British universities and most colleges of higher education. The UCAS Handbook lists the names and addresses of all British universities, together with details of their degree courses.
UCAS Handbook,

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service,

Fulton House,

Jessop Avenue,

Cheltenham,

Gloucs GL50 3SH

Tel +44 (0) 1242 222 444

Fax +44 (0) 1242 221622

BACK Home <--> NEXT to 'OUTILS LINGUISTIQUES'

Cliquer sur TOP pour revenir au début de cette page