Orpington Family History Centre, Kent

Centre Contacts and Hours
Location &amp; Map:


 * 1) Station Approach Orpington BR6 0ST, United Kingdom
 * 2) To obtain directions 01689 837342 during opening hours. The building is on all local bus Routes and alongside the Railway Station which has main line and suburban routes to Central London termini and to other destinations in Kent
 * 3) There is ample parking around the building during opening hours. Entrance to the centre is at the rear of the church building which has Blue Badge parking spaces and ramped wheelchair access to the centre entrance. For first time visitors further directions can be offered.
 * 4) The centre operates on an appointment system due to the limited equipment available.
 * 5) Any United Kingdom family history centre may be located at http://www.lds.org.uk/contact-us/ward-locator/search-by-map/

Phone: +44 1689 837342 or 01689 837342 (during centre hours)

E-mail: none

Open Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 10 am to 1 pm.

Thursday 7 to 9 pm.

Saturday by prior appointment.

Holiday Schedule:

Closed for Seasonal Holiday periods in part of August 2012 and at Christmas and New Year.

Class Schedule
We would invite you to examine the class schedule at London Family History Centre for classes for all in the London area.The regional FamilySearch Centre offers a variety of classes to assist researchers.

Orpington does not offer classes at present.

Collections

 * Family History Library Catalog: It is possible to order any of the films and fiche available through the Family History Library Catalog.

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal Computers here have access to the Family History Centre Portal page which gives free access to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions.
 * Publication of the restricted access images England, Kent, Wills and Probate (FamilySearch Historical Records) and England, Kent, Land Tax Assessments (FamilySearch Historical Records) means that it is advisable to telephone the centre to reserve a computer if you wish to view this collection using the portal.

Hardware and Equipment

 * The centre has 2 computers, 2 Microfiche viewers and 2 Microfilm viewers to accommodate those who have ordered online microfilm. For further information see Ordering Microfilm or Microfiche from a Family History Center

Centre Services
We aim to offer a local resource for research and volunteer service opportunity in the Orpington and wider North Kent area for anyone who wishes to use FamilySearch equipment to advance their research. The local Bromley Central Library Local Studies department offers an additional local Library resource for local and family history.

Resources in the Local Area
Orpington is within easy travel distance of the Regional Centre London Family History Centre, which supports the Greater London area FamilySearch centres. This Regional centre offers monthly classes for those with interest in research in Ireland, Wales as well as other classes of interest to family historians.

The North West Kent Family History Society was formed in 1978 with the object of encouraging and aiding the study of family history and genealogy in South East London and North West Kent.

Kent Archives Centre and Library Maidstone from Spring 2012 offers Reading Room computer access to all digital images which have been published online by FamilySearch and any future image collection publications will also be available in this way.

Kent Online Parish Clerks are working in local parishes in West Kent and the London Borough of Bromley, see the parish list Kent Online Parish Clerks. The parishes of Cudham and Keston are being transcribed with the permission of the Diocese of Rochester and Bromley Archives, also within the terms of a co-operative Indexing agreement with FamilySearch for online publication during 2013. Transcripts for Downe, Kent are already available. See also Cudham, Kent and Keston, Kent

Links
The Local Studies Library in Bromley Central Library offers resources going back hundreds of years, on topics related to the London Borough of Bromley and its environs. It has specialist collections on The Crystal Palace, Walter de la Mare and H.G. Wells and works closely with Bromley Museum Service based at The Priory, Orpington. It also houses the archives for the borough and has extensive family history resources. A range of local history publications for sale are available from the Local Studies Library.

Telephone: 020 8461 7170 Fax: 020 8466 7860 e-mail: localstudies.library@bromley.gov.uk

Address: High Street, Bromley BR1 1EX


 * Parish registers (Microfilm)
 * Census returns 1841-1881 (Microfilm)
 * Census returns 1891, 1901 (Microfiche)
 * Kent directories (Microfiche)
 * Newspapers (Microfilm)
 * General Register Office Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths 1837-1997, England and Wales (Microfiche)
 * Bromley Poor Law Union records see Kent Online Parish Clerks for detail of holdings and LDS film numbers for births and deaths. Bromley Archives have online Creed Register indexes 1889-1893-4 Creed register index

Volunteer at the Centre
For many years community volunteers have staffed our service to the family history community in Orpington. If you have an interest in family history and experience of research we would welcome your assistance and service. Please contact the Centre for further details.