I wish some enterprising soul would write an idiot's guide on how to understand and make use of the information found in Lib Vast and other 'land' sources, preferably with illustrations, maps, plans and examples. Even the significance of the information in Composition books is puzzling to me, maybe others.

I know there are explanations of some aspects in the board archive and composition book extracts on-line but they seem to assume a level of knowledge already. Everyone acquires a different patchwork of knoweldge over time and may be lacking in some vital piece of the jgsaw. It reminds me of computer software manuals which tend to assume a level of computer literacy - throwing in terms like 'reboot' and 'toggle' without further elucidation! Janet Narasimham's book is nearly there but could spell out the necessaries in even more detail.

I'm thinking of a step-by-step guide right from first principles so we could get access and learn more about our families' lives, but perhaps those with the expertise wouldn't have the time or inclination or skill, or perhaps they would guard jealously a hard-won knowledge that they had no help in gaining, or perhaps some would resent casting pearls before undeserving 'swine'!

Sorry, sounds like a rant. Just would like to think that if I hired & looked at the relevant films I would feel confident that I would actually understand the signifcance or what I read and be able to come to intelligent conclusions about my family history from it. Any takers?