After four full days devoted to research at The National Archives in Kew, I thought I deserved a break. For the first time today, I woke up later than 5 AM (7:30 AM!), and while surfing on the Web, I read there was a walking tour of Richmond leading to 17th-century Ham House, once home to a friend of King Charles I. Deal!

Before going further, I want to let you know that I found a couple of documents on Adam Bangle (in the Loyalists series) which I had already viewed on a microfilm in Salt Lake City Family History Library. At the time, page 94 was missing from the microfilm and I just remembered it while I was at the computer. I had the pleasure of touching the original document and page 94 was indeed in the book—the microfilm missed a page, not the original! I also found a document in the T (Treasury) series rather than in the AO (Audit Office) series. I read later on the Loyalists Website from the University of New Brunswick that they do have the index to this series on microfilm even if the documents are exclusively kept in Kew. So you see, my trip was not in vain.

The town of Richmond (Kew being part of it) is located south west of London. That history tour was quite interesting. First, I learned that Queen Elizabeth I actually died at Richmond House. And that the Rolling Stones had their first real gig at what is now called One Kew Road.

After a full week here, I finally walked along the Thames! We made it to Ham House just in time for lunch. What I appreciate most about a vacation is having time to do whatever I want, at the pace I want.

I leave you with some pictures of the day, enjoy!

Glimpse of Richmond

Ham House