GUIDE FOR AN OVERSEAS GENEALOGIST TO DEVON

DEVON DISTRICT MAP

Please note that the Devon County boundary line is in a dark and wider blue. The District boundary line is in a narrow blue. This is not a road map.(CLICK HERE TO SEE MAP)

GENEALOGY

• You will find that some church records have not been released by the diocese and you will have to visit or contact those churchs yourself in order to find records of your ancestors. However, some church records are available that the mormons have not filmed yet for Salt Lake City. I would strongly recommend that you visit the churchs to get more information from gravestones and local villagers. You will be amazed at what you will find. (Warning some lichens on grave stones are protected species if you do not want the wrath of The British Lichen Society, leave them well alone).

• The Devon Record Office has moved from Castle Street to Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter in 2004. You will need to check for day and times they are open.(Bank holidays all offices are closed and Exeter office is closed on weekends).Get directions to the Record Office as Exeter has one way streets and bad traffic problems. My advise to people who are driving to use the Park and Ride at the Matford Car Park, Exeter just follow the signs from A38 or M5. Cost was one pound five pence per person round trip. Last bus leaves Exeter at 6.30 pm (March 1998). I would check on arrival for any changes in season etc. (The Matford Car Park will NOT be the Park and Ride for the Great Moor House address check the link above for directions).

• Some documents in Exeter are kept in storage and require 48 hours notice for production in search rooms.

• Exeter Dean and Chapter Archives, the Cloister Library, Exeter Cathedral Library, Diocesan House, Palace Gate, Exeter By appointment only

• Bring proof of identity which is now required from all searchers using original documents. (Passport or drivers license with photograph)

  CURRENCY

• Take British currency for search room charges which is 2 pounds per person per day. Procedure seems to be that you fill out a form to receive copies of items you want. They bill you first and after receiving payment they will mail you your copies. (A very slow and long winded process I hope they change this procedure soon. It would be far quicker and cheaper to copy and pay while your at the record office.)

• Buy your travelers checks in British sterling. Unless you have a local bank account you will not be able to cash foreign money. (Buckfast Abbey gift shop is the only place I saw to exchange currency for overseas visitors in 1998 other than some American motels).

  DRIVING

• You must wear seat belts.

• Drive on the left side of the road.

• Be especially cautious when you come to a roundabout (rotary), which must be entered clockwise.

• A "Zebra crossing" is a Pedestrian Crossing. You must stop for pedestrians.

• A "Diversion" is a detour.

• Don't turn left at a red light. At certain traffic lights in Devon they have cameras that take photos of cars that jump lights so please obey the laws.

• "B" ROADS: Some lanes are bordered by hedges and are very narrow that there is only room for one car. When a car approaches a sharp bend it is the custom to beep the horn, to warn any motorist coming in the other direction. Also it is the driver closest to a pull over area to back up so the other driver can pass.

• Gasoline is called Petrol and the price per liter is about 66.9p and up for 1998 it is more costly than in America. Pay in cash at gas stations.

• The trunk of a car is called a boot

• The hood of a car is called a bonnet

• Request an automatic rental car with plenty of boot space for your baggage if you have not driven in England before.

• Public parking is not cheap and you need to carry plenty of change for the garage parking machines.

• Don't drink and drive. You may end up in jail as the laws are not the same as in America.

  PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• On some buses you pay as you enter. On other buses choose a seat and wait for the conductor to come and collect your fare. Fares are based on the distance traveled.

• Train service is limited in Devon and can be costly. It is cheaper to buy a British Railway Pass or a Flexipass if you intend to do a lot of traveling in Britain. There is also a BritRail/Drive Flexipass that uses Hertz rental cars. (Check with your travel agent).

• Subway is called a tube or Underground. Pay at the entrance and keep your ticket because you must give it up as you leave the Underground at your destination. Fares are based on distance traveled. Some talk of the London underground being sold to private companys in 1998.

• Taxis can be hailed on the street, and minicabs (a regular small car, not the usual large London taxicabs) can be ordered by telephone. Taxis from London airports charge a minimum of 35 pounds there was some contraversion about this on the English TV station this March 1998.

  MISCELLANEOUS

• VHS tapes prerecorded of your family history in the U.S.A. will not be able to be viewed on TV's in England. Also do not purchase prerecorded videos in England to view in America. You can have a video converted so it can be viewed but this is expensive and it does lower the quality of the film.

• Take an electric converter if you plan on using american appliances in England.

• V.A.T. is a value-added tax which is added to the price of goods.

• A drug store is called a chemist in England.

• A doctor's office is called a surgery.

• A elevator is called a lift.

• To phone someone is to ring up.

• Toilet is loo (informal) or WC (water closet).

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