Because of the Covid-19 pandemic the IGRS Library (based in central London at the Society of Genealogists - SoG - since 2013) hasn't been able to open to either Society members or the public since Spring of last year. In the meantime, SoG has sold its current premises and is seeking a new base, also in London.
Since the move in 2013 from our former premises at St Magnus the Martyr Church, in the City of London, most of the Society's collections of books and manuscripts have been held in storage, but those that remained at SoG had now to be removed too. A small group of IGRS members, led by IGRS Council member Jim Boulden (our new Librarian) undertook to pack the material into about 50 boxes to facilitate their transport to a storage facility in Kent on Wednesday, 11th August.
The material mainly comprised a small number of regularly used reference books, the Michael Leader collection, a full set of O’Kief Coshe Mang, the Bullen collection of manuscripts and 48 Family History Box Files. Even the new SoG CEO, Laura Doyle, gave a hand in loading the van.
The final packing went so smoothly (and quickly) there was plenty of time afterwards for the small group to enjoy lunch and a chat to celebrate a job well done. The van with the boxes arrived in Kent just a few hours later.
We hope to have news about a new location once SoG has new premises - watch this space.
In the photo to the left are (l-r) Daniel O’Brien, Jim Boulden, Mark Goold, Pete Quirk and Paul Masterson. Many thanks also to Claire, Jim Boulden's partner, who also helped pack boxes in the weeks prior to the move.
