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FINANCIAL QUESTIONS |
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Are any of the Society’s officers paid for their work for the Society? |
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No, all are volunteers, who give their time without recompense. Such payments to officers would actually be illegal under the terms of section 4 of the Society’s Bank Mandate. |
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Does the Society make a profit, and if so, what happens to it? |
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The Society has never yet made a profit, in fact, quite the reverse. In the unlikely event of a profit being made in the future, it would be used firstly to pay off existing debts, after which any remainder would be spent on further research work or purchase of other appropriate items for the benefit of the membership as a whole. |
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Who are the Society’s Bankers? |
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The Society has a "Treasurer Account" (number 31589059) with the Midland Bank plc at High Street, Chelmsford, Essex. (Sort-code number 40-17-08). |
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Has the Society recently changed its Treasurer? |
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No, but he has moved to a new address, and may now be contacted at: 26 Peartree Lane, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4LS, England. |
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Does the Society accept payments made by credit card? |
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No, because the cost to the Society would be too great, relative to the small amounts which would be involved in the majority of the transactions. |
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Are photographs, manuscripts and files, which are borrowed by members, fully insured? |
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No, not whilst on loan, due to the high cost of the premiums which would be required. Members are, therefore, expected to take all reasonable care of such items and to make good any loss or damage sustained whilst in their possession. |
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Since I have inadvertently allowed my membership of the Society to lapse, does this mean that I will be required to pay the joining fee in order to re-new it? |
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Yes, I’m afraid so. |
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How much does it cost to make a call to NEWSLINE? |
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No more than the price of an ordinary telephone call to a number in the Havering area of London. This is, of course, a local call from anywhere in London’s 020 telephone area. |
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Could you please give me some idea of which Internet Service Providers would give me the best value for money for family history research? |
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I’m afraid that it’s not a very straightforward issue. I suggest that you, together with anyone else who is interested, telephone the Society on 01708-749941 extension 366 for information. |
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Does the Society’s Wills scheme entitle members to make a will at a reduced cost? |
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No, it is not actually a scheme as such, but is merely a suggestion, which was first mooted in the January 1997 edition of NEWSLINE, that members might like to consider mentioning the Society when making their own Wills. The idea arose from the fact that in the past, the Society had occasionally been unaware of the death of members. In several instances, this had resulted in the sad loss of large amounts of RAYMENT photographs, certificates and other memorabilia, the deceased member having made no provision for their preservation. It was made clear that any mention of the Society in the Will of a member need not be in financial terms but could simply consist of the bequest of some family history records, photographs, or birth, marriage and death certificates, all of which would be of immense value to the Society, whilst being of little or no value to anyone else. Furthermore, it was pointed out that there would be other advantages to everyone, including future generations of family historians, since not only the existence of the Society and its records would then become readily apparent to future researchers of the Wills and Administrations, but the Society would also automatically become aware of the demise of any of its members. For those members who have already drawn up their Wills, a printed Codicil form and notes are available from the Secretary. |
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I’ve been approached by Burke’s Peerage who have offered to sell me a book, priced £28, about the RAYMENT families. They are also offering other Genealogical and Heraldic material for sale. Do they have any connection with the Rayment Society? |
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No, none whatsoever. They are a purely commercial organisation who have neither asked us for, or ever been given by us, the names and addresses of any of our members. |
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Is it worth buying the Burke’s Peerage RAYMENT book? |
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The Society is unwilling to proffer an opinion for legal reasons. However, perhaps it might help in reaching a decision were it to be known that, for example, the current Burke’s Peerage book lists a total of 21 Rayment Wills but gives almost no details of their contents. By comparison, the Society has a list of RAYMENT Wills and Administrations totalling well in excess of one thousand two hundred, the contents of which have been fully transcribed and are available for members to consult free of charge. It should also be pointed out that the Society has a copy of the Burke’s Peerage book available for loan to members. |