​Today’s post is about the difficulty of acquiring information. As I stated recently, I have located information that might be helpful in identifying the 15th century migration of the Newburghs from Dorset to what was then western Dorset - but is now part of Devon.

In an article published in 1903 in Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, a significant list of names was written into a record known as the Roy Roll. In the article, the Roll was said to have been archived at the British Museum. At some time during the 20th century the roll was moved to the British Library where it remains today. One would think it would be an easy task to find a person to examine the roll. What follows is the difficulty I have encountered in getting the desired information.

First, the British Library experienced a cyber-attack in October of 2023, rendering the online catalogue inoperable. So instead of trying to work through the catalogue, I contacted the library staff directly and was able to get information from a librarian who generously pulled the roll and photographed it for me. I was so excited, thinking that it would be just a few short days or weeks and we would have the information needed to continue research.

NOT SO FAST. . .
At first, I was told that I would need to have someone local in London go to the library and search through this monumental scroll. Just looking at the photo one can see that it is a fragile 15th century parchment that would require special handling. Finding someone of that caliber is difficult. Not to mention the size of the roll would require someone with unlimited time, plus command of medieval Latin.

So . . . I asked if there was a digital copy available - which I discovered there is. However, it is not available to the reading room public! Why? Good question. However, when the digitization department returns to normal operations, a copy of a microfilm (previously available) can be purchased for £18. No problem . . . but the duplication and digitization department is not expected to be back in service any sooner than July or August, if it fact it is functional even then.

So . . . I asked if there was any other archive in England that might have a copy. I discovered that there is – but stringent restrictions apply there as well with regard to the microfilm, which cannot be copied and may not be used for anything other than personal research. However, once again there is a waiting period of up to eight weeks or longer as an independent researcher must be contracted to search the film.

So I am back to square one waiting for the digitization department at the British Library to get back in operation, when I will try and buy a copy of the film and read it myself.