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Frequently Asked Questions
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Answers
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Where
do I start?
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Click
here for the info
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I've recorded everything my
relatives told me. Where do I go next? |
In
England and Wales people have been able to register births, marriages
and deaths since 1 July 1837. Certificates of events occurring from this
date can be obtained from local Register Offices or you can search the
General Register Office (GRO) indexes to these registrations at The
Family Records Centre, 1 Myddelton Street, London EC1R 1UW. Some local
libraries and record offices have copies in microform.
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What information can I expect to obtain from a
certificate? |
A birth
certificate usually names both parents, including the mother's maiden
surname. Knowing both parents' full names, you can search the indexes
for a reference to their marriage. A marriage certificate usually
supplies the names of the fathers of both parties. Simple steps like
these can take your line well back into the nineteenth century. |
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But this information only applies to England and Wales.
My ancestry is Scottish and Irish. What do I do? |
Civil
Registration began in Scotland in 1855 and in Ireland in 1864.
Certificates can be obtained from New Register House, Princes Street,
Edinburgh EHI 3YT (for Scotland) and from the Registrar General, 8-11
Lombard Street East, Dublin 2 for Ireland. Registrations for Northern
Ireland after 1921 are at Oxford House, 49-55 Chichester Street, Belfast
BTT 4HL. Before commencing this part of your research, however, you are
strongly advised to read the relevant chapter in one of the many books
available. |
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I have traced my line back to the mid-1800s, using the
GRO Indexes. How do I get further back? |
Now, you
will be largely dependent on the church (or parish) registers. These
registers were introduced in 1537/8 and contain baptisms and burials (as
distinct from births and deaths) and, of course, marriages. Although
many early registers have been lost over the years, a surprising number
still exist. |
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Where do I find parish registers? |
Today,
very few registers, other than those which are still in use, are held at
churches. Many of the registers have been filmed and copies are widely
available; ask at the relevant county record office or local studies
library. |
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I've heard of Bishops' Transcripts, but am not sure what
they are. |
In
addition to the registers, from 1598 parish priests had to send to their
bishop an 'annual return', a copy of the register, known as a Bishops'
Transcript. Those that still exist can be very useful in supplying
entries omitted from the register or replacing a missing register. |
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I've heard of the IGI, what is this? |
The IGI,
or International Genealogical Index, is an index to about 250 million
(and growing) births, baptisms and marriages from around the world. The
index is produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and
is available in many libraries and record offices, and in the Church's
own Family History Centres. |
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To date my family history consists, mainly, of names and
dates; how do I find out more about my ancestors? |
A census
is taken every ten years and the records become available for public
scrutiny when they are 100 years old. We can therefore see, on microfilm
or microfiche, those returns for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891and
1901* . They are arranged under addresses, not names, and so you need to
know where your family lived at those times to trace them. Details such
as age, occupation and place of birth may be found on the census returns
for 1851 and after. The 1841 census omits place of birth and
relationships. |
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Where can I search the census returns? |
A
complete set for England and Wales is housed at The Family Records
Centre, 1 Myddelton Street, London EC1R 1UW. Additionally, those
pertaining to your area may be found at your local record office or
library. There are many name indexes available, particularly for the
1851 and 1881 censuses: the latter has been indexed for the whole of
England, Wales and Scotland. Or subscribe to:
www.Ancestry.co.uk
Highly
recommended! |
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What else can I expect to find out about my family? |
There
are countless other sources which you can search, far too many to list
here, and you would be well advised to read a book on the subject and to
attend a family history class. |
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How do I find out if there are any family history classes
in my area? |
Try the
Workers' Educational Association and the Local Education Authority, both
of whom arrange adult classes. If none is available then ask if classes
in this subject can be arranged. |
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I don't have time to attend classes. What else do you
suggest? |
There
are many books on the subject, so ask at your local library. However,
Amazon.co.uk have an enormous range of books and software. Links
throughout this site. |
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Should I join a family history society? |
Yes,
join your local family history society. Go along to their meetings, join
in their activities. You will also find it useful to become a member of
those societies covering the areas in which your ancestors once lived. |
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What benefits can I expect for my Membership? |
Most
societies produce journals and these will describe local records and
history. Their Members might be able to help with particular 'local
research' problems, for example by visiting the churchyard to read your
grandfather's gravestone for you! Belonging to a family history society
will also enable you to contact others who are tracing the same surname
that you are, in the area where your ancestor lived. |
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How do I find the contact address of a family history
society? |
We have
a link to most of the family history societies
here. Both international
and UK. |
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Supposing there is someone already researching the same
family as me, how do I find them? |
Many
family history societies publish directories of Members' interests. You
can purchase international directories, such as the "Genealogical
Research Directory", ask about these at your local family history
society. Even better - become a member of Genes Reunited!
www.genesreunited.co.uk/ |
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What's the best way to
"Get a flavour" of the area where my ancestors came from? |
By far the best way, is to visit a Family
History Fair, in or near to where your ancestors lived.
A list can be found here. You
will find lots of local information and booklets. Another great way to
find out more about your ancestors way of life would be to join the
Family History Society/Group for that area.
You'll find a list here. |
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* The 1901 census is
now available 'online' at
www.Ancestry.co.uk. However, your local family history society may have the records
for it's local area. |
