Thanks Elwyn, very helpful. It is good to see it open again, it looks as though it's as safe as it could be. Obviously far from normal though. I will give it a miss for now. Evelyn Cardwell ------ Original Message ------ From: "elwyn soutter via CoTyroneIreland.com Mailing List" <cotyronelist(a)list.cotyroneireland.com> To: "CoTyroneIreland.com Mailing List" <cotyronelist(a)list.cotyroneireland.com> Cc: "elwyn soutter" <elwynsoutter(a)googlemail.com> Sent: Monday, 7 Sep, 20 At 15:33 Subject: [CoTyroneMailingList] Using PRONI in Belfast during Covid Some comments for anyone visiting PRONI at present based on a recent visit I made. 1. Only 5 or 6 people a day are allowed to visit, so appointments can be hard to get. 2. You get a block of 4 tables to yourself and there’s a microfilm reader on each block. You are well isolated from staff and other visitors. 3. There are no photocopiers or PRONI scanners in use at present, so you have to bring your own scanner or camera, or just transcribe the documents. 4. You can only order 10 items a day. PRONI are very strict about the limit. I tried squeezing 2 sequential microfilms on as one item and got knocked straight back. 5. You normally have to provide detailed reference numbers for the document you want. They won’t search for you. For example, I was looking for Antrim Workhouse indoor admission records but couldn’t find them in the e-catalogue. I know they exist because I have used them before but without the exact reference number, they won’t order them up for you. 6. You don’t need a specific reference number for probate files but you do need to distinguish between administration files (intestacy cases) and files that have a will. And you need to include date of probate plus the Registry (Belfast, Armagh or Londonderry). 7. Near the date of your appointment you will get a further e-mail explaining your exact admission time eg 10.10, with a short Youtube link showing how things work now. 8. The café is closed but if you bring your own refreshments there is an area downstairs to have them. Plus there is a tea/coffee machine. Most people go to one of the cafes across the road overlooking the marina. 9. The public room which contains the GRONI computers, microfilms, on-line church records, maps and reference books is closed. If you need a microfilm you need to order it in advance. The other sources are simply not accessible at present. 10. Any document or film you use is quarantined for 2 weeks afterwards, so no-one else can order it up. Obviously a snag for commonly used items. Elwyn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mailing List Email Address: cotyronelist(a)list.cotyroneireland.com To unsubscribe send an email to cotyronelist-leave(a)list.cotyroneireland.com Change Your Preferences: https://list.cotyroneireland.com/mailman3/accounts/list-options/cotyronelist.list.cotyroneireland.com/ <https://list.cotyroneireland.com/mailman3/accounts/list-options/cotyronelist.list.cotyroneireland.com/> Mailing List Archive: https://list.cotyroneireland.com/archives/list/cotyronelist(a)list.cotyroneireland.com/ <https://list.cotyroneireland.com/archives/list/cotyronelist(a)list.cotyroneireland.com/>