Are you ready to begin your own Irish genealogical quest? You're not alone. Today, over 34 million people in the United States alone have Irish ancestry. It's one of the most commonly searched nationalities in American genealogy. Thanks to a huge wave of immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Irish roots are found in every part of American life.
Not only is Ireland well-represented among the population of the United States, it can be found throughout the world. People in nearly every nation on earth have ancestry that could ultimately lead them on an Irish genealogical quest. The people of Ireland have been fanning out throughout the world since as early as the 7th century, when monks from the "Emerald Isle" set out to bring Christianity to the masses in Europe. Emigration continued at a steady pace until the 19th century, when it exploded! The infamous potato famine was happening then, and it caused 2 million Irish nationals to emigrate to nations all over the world, but particularly England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and the United States.
If you want to identify your Irish ancestors and get to know who they were, there's now plenty of opportunity to do so. Today, there are more records than ever that have been opened to the public, and even made available online! Lots of websites, such as the Origins Network, now make Irish genealogical records available online for a small monthly fee. You can use these websites to find such important records as birth, death, and marriage records, church registers, census records, and rosters of property owners (also known as Griffiths Valuation). So, get out there and get started on your path to discovering your Irish ancestors! They're looking forward to meeting you!
Are you ready to dive head-first into the wonderful world of Irish genealogy? Are you excited by the prospect of discovering new ancestors from the Emerald Isle, but don't know how to start? Come to Irish Genealogical, the Internet's best place for Irish genealogy, where you'll learn everything you need to know about uncovering your Irish ancestry!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Varney
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2279165
Sunday 28 August 2011
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Family History and Geography
When you first start doing your family history, you are eager to add as many names as possible to your family tree. You know the surnames and possibly the given names of your ancestors so you start writing them down and then documenting the certificates that prove their existence.
Then, you find that your grandparents emigrated from the country that matches their name. Baker and Schmit from Germany. Larson from Sweden. Larsen from Denmark. Murphy from Ireland and so on.
Did the geography of the country affect your grandparents? I would think so. Some tiny countries have a large population. Some are surrounded by water. Some are governed by monarchs. Seamen tend to come from people living by the ocean and merchants and industrial workers come from the larger cities.
The United States has many different geological areas. Emigrants tended to migrate toward areas similar to their native country and they stuck together as neighbors, workers and club members.
They usually worshiped with the same religion that they used in the old country. Religion was a source of comfort to the lonely and often a source of welfare for the poor.
Emigrants tended to work at the same industries and jobs that they had in the old country. They tended to be poor and knew only one method of making a living.
Industrial workers went to such towns as Troy, New York. Tailors went to large cities such as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia. Merchants tended to follow other workers such as miners.
Farmers started working in farm country such as Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. Miners came from Cornwall and Ireland to similar mines in Michigan and Montana.
Many laborers settled temporarily in places to build tunnels and railroads. The Chinese especially would take the leavings left from quartz miners looking for gold.
When I went to Ireland to get some certificates for my family, I was struck by the similarity of the geography to my own town and state. The mountains are not as high as in my town but they look similar. Between the similarity and the extraordinary hospitality of the Irish, I felt right at home.
My grandfathers and great grandfather worked in the copper mines in Allihies in County Cork and the copper mine in Knockmahon in County Waterford in Ireland. They were encouraged to immigrate to Montana and work in the copper mines in Butte.
The timing was perfect as the mines in Ireland had been worked dry since the famine in the 1850s. Fertile farmland in the area around the mine in Waterford contributed to the better status of those miners, but they still all emigrated to mines in Michigan and Montana.
I have not visited the copper mines in Michigan, but I know the geography of Allihies in Ireland is very similar to the geography of Butte, Montana, home of "the richest hill on earth."
Elizabeth Larsen has researched her family tree for 35 years. For more information on beginning a good genealogy and many tips, go to http://www.squidoo.com/basicgenealogy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Larsen
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6096338
Then, you find that your grandparents emigrated from the country that matches their name. Baker and Schmit from Germany. Larson from Sweden. Larsen from Denmark. Murphy from Ireland and so on.
Did the geography of the country affect your grandparents? I would think so. Some tiny countries have a large population. Some are surrounded by water. Some are governed by monarchs. Seamen tend to come from people living by the ocean and merchants and industrial workers come from the larger cities.
The United States has many different geological areas. Emigrants tended to migrate toward areas similar to their native country and they stuck together as neighbors, workers and club members.
They usually worshiped with the same religion that they used in the old country. Religion was a source of comfort to the lonely and often a source of welfare for the poor.
Emigrants tended to work at the same industries and jobs that they had in the old country. They tended to be poor and knew only one method of making a living.
Industrial workers went to such towns as Troy, New York. Tailors went to large cities such as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia. Merchants tended to follow other workers such as miners.
Farmers started working in farm country such as Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. Miners came from Cornwall and Ireland to similar mines in Michigan and Montana.
Many laborers settled temporarily in places to build tunnels and railroads. The Chinese especially would take the leavings left from quartz miners looking for gold.
When I went to Ireland to get some certificates for my family, I was struck by the similarity of the geography to my own town and state. The mountains are not as high as in my town but they look similar. Between the similarity and the extraordinary hospitality of the Irish, I felt right at home.
My grandfathers and great grandfather worked in the copper mines in Allihies in County Cork and the copper mine in Knockmahon in County Waterford in Ireland. They were encouraged to immigrate to Montana and work in the copper mines in Butte.
The timing was perfect as the mines in Ireland had been worked dry since the famine in the 1850s. Fertile farmland in the area around the mine in Waterford contributed to the better status of those miners, but they still all emigrated to mines in Michigan and Montana.
I have not visited the copper mines in Michigan, but I know the geography of Allihies in Ireland is very similar to the geography of Butte, Montana, home of "the richest hill on earth."
Elizabeth Larsen has researched her family tree for 35 years. For more information on beginning a good genealogy and many tips, go to http://www.squidoo.com/basicgenealogy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Larsen
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6096338
Sunday 15 May 2011
Choosing Genealogy Software: What Features To Look For
Author: Julia WestGenealogy software is likely your best tool for organizing the research of your family's history. Most of the software available today can connect people according to relationships, sort and combine individuals into family trees, locate and delete duplicate entries, and help uncover errors and solve problems. The best genealogy software packages give you comprehensive charts and reports for organizing your data, and for viewing the development of your genealogy research.
To find the right genealogy software, do NOT rely just on the software manufacturer's description of the program. You must also read both professional and customer reviews of the software. (A good source for customer reviews is Amazon.com.)
Choosing the right genealogy software can make a tremendous difference in the course of your research. Following are some important criteria for selecting the best genealogy program to meet your needs:
- Ease of use. The software should be intuitive and user-friendly in order to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced computer users.
- Ease of setup and installation. The genealogy software's installation process should be simple and straightforward.
- Feature set. The software should be equipped with numerous features for organizing and researching family historical information, including charts, reports, web access, searching capabilities, and other useful ways of storing data. Some genealogy software programs allow you to import information from online databases (such as Social Security death records, or pictures of census forms).
The various charts and reports should include:
• Ancestor charts. They show the direct lineage of a person's ancestors.
• Narrative reports of the ancestors. These are reports written in a story form, similar to books. They start with a specific individual, and are then followed by stories from his or her lineage. Sharing this research with your friends and family members can be enriching and enlightening.
• Family charts. These charts show entire families, including the wife, husband, and children.
• Family trees. A family tree shows multiple generations, and can be a thing of great beauty. The software should allow you to print a family tree in several different formats.
- Ample help and documentation. The genealogy software developer should provide help in various forms. The help can include FAQs, phone and email support, product tutorials, and online video courses. A bonus would be a support forum, where software users often help each other.
Using genealogy software is an excellent method for researching your family history in an organized and convenient fashion. Try it just once, and you'll NEVER go back to keeping your records using pen and paper again.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/genealogy-articles/choosing-genealogy-software-what-features-to-look-for-4767683.html
About the AuthorJulia West is an enthusiastic budding genealogist. Enjoy her free 5-part mini-course for genealogy newbies at http://www.findmyancestorsforfree.com.
Tuesday 10 May 2011
Find your Ancestors through Census Records
Author: Amy YencerThere are other countries that conducted census records prior to 1790, but the United States was the first nation to mandate a census in the Constitution. Article One, Section Two states that at least every ten years an “actual Enumeration” needs to be taken of the population. This has enabled genealogists, with the single most sought after document, to gain information about their family heritage.
In 1790, Federal Marshals had the job of visiting every house and recording their findings. The first census only contained six questions: name of the head of house, number of persons in the household, number of free white males over the age of sixteen, numbers of free white males under the age of sixteen, and the sexes and colors of everyone in the household. Since then every decade had produced another census. Each census has improved with more information making it easier to trace your ancestors.
Over the years, the census has changed according to what issues were important to our ancestors at the time. By 1820, the census did take into account women and “free colored persons” to show how our economy was expanding. By 1850, the census contained “social statistics;” which gives us insight to schooling that people had obtained, crime in that time period, and taxes. Later “Enumerations” reflect many turns that America was taking with the increasing number of immigrants. The 1900 census asks if foreign born, year of immigration and whether they have the ability to speak English or not. In 1920 the year of naturalization was polled.
The United States census can help you discover facts about your ancestors and fill in missing event information, helping to build your family tree. Among the information you can discover: birth dates, birth places, place of residence, occupations, income, immigration years, naturalization status, and more. Another benefit of using the census is finding families, giving the genealogist the ability to add missing ancestors, such as children and grandparents.
Censuses are available as Population Schedules. There are also Special Census Schedules that included: slave schedules, state records, agricultural schedules, mortality schedules, manufactures, social statistics, defective classes, and others are available. The state and mortality censuses just might help you with tracing your ancestors. Mortality schedules were recorded 1860, 1870, and 1880. Census takers were directed to secure additional information for persons dying with the 12 months preceding the census taking. For each person, the following information is listed: name, age, sex, marital status if married or widowed, state or country of birth, month of death, occupation, cause of death, and the length of the final illness. These schedules may be the only record of death for some individuals, as many states did not require recording of deaths until the late nineteenth century. In addition, gravestones or cemetery records may be nonexistent.
Some Noteworthy Tips
When looking for your ancestor, remember to look for them using different spellings. Many Census takers often wrote the name the best they could with the way it sounded. And people, who have indexed online databases, have erroneously made mistakes in recording names and information too.
If you are looking at copies of microfilms, don’t overlook the other people on the same page or the page before or after your ancestor. Many times, relatives lived in the same household, or within houses from each other.
Counties grew and developed over time either as land was expanded or by changing of boarders. This can be of importance to finding other ancestors and documents that are often filed by county such as Wills, Taxation lists, and Deeds.
The 1890 census records are almost completely destroyed and others have been lost. The best place to find what is available for each county is through Family Search, you can also use our guide below for general state information.
When you find a person you are looking for, remember there often is the same name, living in the same area. Verify the information belongs to your ancestor before you record the source and its details.
The 1940 census will be made available to the public on April 1, 2012 by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Connect, share, discover and record your family history with our online Family Tree software program.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/genealogy-articles/find-your-ancestors-through-census-records-1407624.html
About the AuthorAmy Yencer, I have been researching my family history for several years. I am the marketing manager of ourFamilyology; a new online genealogy software program that educates, inspires, and helps people to grow their family tree. Visit us as www.family-genealogy. For comments, I can be contacted at amy.yencer@ourfamilyology.com
Monday 9 May 2011
Celebrate Your Family History: 10 Activities to Preserve Your Family Story
Author: Susan SaundersYour family history, your heritage, is too important to let slip away. Set aside an afternoon for you and your family to discover you history and what makes your family unique.
Here are 10 activities your family can do together to learn more about their history and how the actions and decisions of their ancestors affected who they are today. These activities will help to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for your foundations and will provide a more complete record of your distinctive history that will be treasured for generations to come.
Make a Family Tree
Ask one person to sketch a family tree on a large piece of paper while everyone contributes information. Encourage Grandma and Grandpa to share what they remember of the older generations and have the younger children locate their positions on the tree. Later, make decorative copies of the family tree and give one to each family member. Frame them for a lovely gift!
Start a Family Journal
Recruit your fastest write to record the stories and information in a journal that will come to light throughout the afternoon or evening. Divide the journal into four sections: one for individual 'Family Members', one for 'General Family' stories and information, one for 'Family Gratitude', and one for 'Legacy'. Ask a lot of questions to get the best stories! Later, transfer this priceless information to a more durable keepsake book or post to an online family wesite for all to enjoy.
Put Faces to Names
Blow the dust off the box, bag or album containing old family photos and together, identify the subjects in the pictures. Discuss where that person fits into the family tree and who they most resemble. Note any other historical information that is known. This is also the perfect time to label any unlabeled photos with names, dates, ages, locations, and any other relevant information. Use a soft lead pencil on pre-1950's photos and a felt tip marker on post 1950 photos. Never use a ball point pen as it can damage the photos.
Generation Preservation
Old photos are fragile and cannot be replaced once lost or damaged. Consider scanning the images to computer or disc so they can be preserved digitally, a more resilient format and one that can be shared easily. Digital images can also be repaired if they are damaged and organized into a video slide show documenting your family history.
Their Turn
Shine the spotlight on Grandma and Grandpa and encourage them to talk candidly about their experiences growing up. Go ahead, ask questions as often a little probing can reveal a treasure trove of fascinating stories and family history. Consider recording these stories in video or audio format so help future generations can connect on a more personal level. For something a bit more special, a Family Documentary Family Documentary can capture their life story and your family history by weaving a filmed interview with photographs, maps, and other memorabilia to create a modern day 'moving' portrait.
Where in the World
Using a world map or globe, point out where the family originated from and the different places they lived. Ask the children to trace the route the family may have taken between the locations. Discuss why, when and how the family came to America (or their current location) and the challenges and emotions they faced throughout their journey. A quick internet search can reveal the historical context of their immigration.
Generation Transformation
Looking over the Family Tree, discuss what life was like for each generation; their professions, living conditions, education, opportunities, and limitations, and how their experiences affected the next generation and ultimately the family as it is today. Have the children make a list of all the different family professions.
We are Family
Identify any family traditions, characteristics, family traits, values, and practices that have been passed down through the generations. Discuss why, when and where they may have begun and and their significance within the family.This is a great time to ask Grandma why she makes the special dish for Thanksgiving, or to compare your artistic skills with Grandpa.
Family Gratitude
Ask each family member identify an experience or decision an ancestor (or current family member) made that contributed to a better life for their descendants. Discuss what their perspective may have been at the time, and whether they could have imagined the impact their experience or decision would ultimately have their descendants.
Leave a Legacy
Finally, ask each family member to reflect upon what they would like their own family contribution-their legacy-to be and why. Encourage everyone to share how they envision their contribution to impact on future generations. Now, take a portrait and label it with names, the date and your location and add it to the family journal.
Your family history changes every day. Begin a new family tradition by using these activities to embrace and celebrate the past while guiding you family as they look to the future.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/genealogy-articles/celebrate-your-family-history-10-activities-to-preserve-your-family-story-3666612.html
About the AuthorSusan (Saunders) Soble preserves life stories and family history for future generations through Personal and Family Documentary. She is the owner and production manager at Family Line Studios.
Sunday 8 May 2011
English Occupations: Finding More About Your Ancestor
Whilst rooting around in your family history, you will learn what your ancestors did for a living - at least as far back to the early 1800s. This is often one of the most fascinating aspects of discovering who your ancestors were. Whether they were a lowly agricultural labourer, or a highly respected surgeon or magistrate, the curious and wide range of English occupations can lead you to further knowledge of how they lived their lives on a day to day basis. For some people it can be exciting to discover that a creative gene, such as writing or painting has made its way down to the present.
Much of this information can be found on the census, at least back to 1841, and sometimes beyond depending on the availability of records. Some earlier parish records did mention a man's occupation, and other records, such as directories, wills, property deeds and tax records can also give occupational details.
Many of you will have come across occupations that are now obsolete, and will often need further explanation. What, for example, is a night soil man? Or a calenderer? Or a fag ender?
The first of these might have been found in any large town or city, emptying dry toilets in the days before plumbing. Not a job I would like to imagine any of my ancestors doing - but fascinating nonetheless.
The other two are connected to the textile industry, and will usually be found in those industrial areas where cotton was being produced - for example, Manchester. A calenderer was just a generic term for a textile industry worker. A fag ender was someone employed to trim off loose bits of cloth known as fags.
If you trawl through the census records for specific areas, you will of course find a wealth of occupations connected to that area's industry. Sticking with Manchester for the moment, you will find many jobs associated with the cotton industry, and among the weavers, winders, packers and piecers you might also come across Fustian cutters (cloth workers who trim corded cloth), beamers (people who handle materials before weaving), billiers, billy roller operations or billymen (all terms for cotton spinners) or even an impleachers (cloth weavers).
When you find that an ancestor's origins are in a particular area, it is worth while finding out about the major industries there, because this will no doubt have had some effect on your ancestor's life, even if he (or she) was not directly involved in it.
For example, shoemakers are known everywhere - but a shoemaker working in Manchester would probably have had a different experience to a shoemaker who worked in a more rural area, or on the coast. Is he making shoes for factory workers, agricultural labourers, fishermen or for the well-to-do?
If your ancestor moved around, it was very likely it was to find work. Undertaking a bit of historical research on the local industries can give you a good indication of why your ancestor moved from one town to another. My own great-great grandfather started out as a bricklayer in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and moved to Birmingham where he became a builder and employer. You only need to find out about the building boom going on in Birmingham in the mid-19th century to work out why he made the choice to move!
Some occupations can lead you to finding further documentation. For example, workers in skilled trades may well have started out as an apprentice, and you may find the apprenticeship records at the local record office. These can give you further details about his origins and parentage.
If your ancestor worked for a big company, it may be worth finding out whether there are staff records in existence. If the company still exists, they may even keep their own set of archives.
Not only are occupations interesting in themselves - they can lead you to find out further information, whether it is more family records, or information about how your ancestor lived, and under what conditions. Much information about trades and occupations can be found on the internet, and there are many books about various trades and industries. The Society of Genealogists publishes a range of books entitled "My Ancestor was...."
Old English occupations are varied and wide-ranging, and they can tell you much about your ancestor. Make sure you always follow up this line of enquiry and find out as much as possible about what he (or she) did for a living.
Ros is a professional genealogist and runs a UK ancestry tracing service for UK and international researchers who need help with their UK ancestry. Ros offers a one-stop-shop tracing service for all UK ancestors, or record look-ups in Warwickshire and Birmingham. Find out more at Tracing Your Ancestors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosamunde_Bott
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6045634
Much of this information can be found on the census, at least back to 1841, and sometimes beyond depending on the availability of records. Some earlier parish records did mention a man's occupation, and other records, such as directories, wills, property deeds and tax records can also give occupational details.
Many of you will have come across occupations that are now obsolete, and will often need further explanation. What, for example, is a night soil man? Or a calenderer? Or a fag ender?
The first of these might have been found in any large town or city, emptying dry toilets in the days before plumbing. Not a job I would like to imagine any of my ancestors doing - but fascinating nonetheless.
The other two are connected to the textile industry, and will usually be found in those industrial areas where cotton was being produced - for example, Manchester. A calenderer was just a generic term for a textile industry worker. A fag ender was someone employed to trim off loose bits of cloth known as fags.
If you trawl through the census records for specific areas, you will of course find a wealth of occupations connected to that area's industry. Sticking with Manchester for the moment, you will find many jobs associated with the cotton industry, and among the weavers, winders, packers and piecers you might also come across Fustian cutters (cloth workers who trim corded cloth), beamers (people who handle materials before weaving), billiers, billy roller operations or billymen (all terms for cotton spinners) or even an impleachers (cloth weavers).
When you find that an ancestor's origins are in a particular area, it is worth while finding out about the major industries there, because this will no doubt have had some effect on your ancestor's life, even if he (or she) was not directly involved in it.
For example, shoemakers are known everywhere - but a shoemaker working in Manchester would probably have had a different experience to a shoemaker who worked in a more rural area, or on the coast. Is he making shoes for factory workers, agricultural labourers, fishermen or for the well-to-do?
If your ancestor moved around, it was very likely it was to find work. Undertaking a bit of historical research on the local industries can give you a good indication of why your ancestor moved from one town to another. My own great-great grandfather started out as a bricklayer in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and moved to Birmingham where he became a builder and employer. You only need to find out about the building boom going on in Birmingham in the mid-19th century to work out why he made the choice to move!
Some occupations can lead you to finding further documentation. For example, workers in skilled trades may well have started out as an apprentice, and you may find the apprenticeship records at the local record office. These can give you further details about his origins and parentage.
If your ancestor worked for a big company, it may be worth finding out whether there are staff records in existence. If the company still exists, they may even keep their own set of archives.
Not only are occupations interesting in themselves - they can lead you to find out further information, whether it is more family records, or information about how your ancestor lived, and under what conditions. Much information about trades and occupations can be found on the internet, and there are many books about various trades and industries. The Society of Genealogists publishes a range of books entitled "My Ancestor was...."
Old English occupations are varied and wide-ranging, and they can tell you much about your ancestor. Make sure you always follow up this line of enquiry and find out as much as possible about what he (or she) did for a living.
Ros is a professional genealogist and runs a UK ancestry tracing service for UK and international researchers who need help with their UK ancestry. Ros offers a one-stop-shop tracing service for all UK ancestors, or record look-ups in Warwickshire and Birmingham. Find out more at Tracing Your Ancestors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosamunde_Bott
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6045634
Wednesday 4 May 2011
‘IGI’ is a road map to your ancestry
Author: Peter N. CollinsONE of the fundamental building blocks for anyone searching their pedigree is the International Genealogical Index, or the IGI.
The IGI is a finding tool for a computer file that lists several hundred million names of deceased persons from throughout the world.
It also lists some vital information, such as a birth or marriage date and place.
Many names in the index come from transcriptions of vital records from the early 1500s to 1885. Others have been submitted by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons.
The IGI is available on the Internet, on compact disc (CD), and on microfiche.
Copies of the IGI may be viewed at any LDS Family History Centre throughout the world, or any of the established genealogy societies, as well as most capital city municipal libraries.
It is primarily an index to Mormon temple work for individuals, which explains why there are often multiple entries for the same person.
LDS Church members have often submitted names for temple work to be done without having first found out whether it has been done before.
There are various reasons why this has been very difficult to do in the past.
There seems to be a general recognition that there are two main kinds of entries in the IGI, those submitted by church members (often called patrons) and those extracted directly from original records.
Family historians and other researchers tend to trust the latter entries, and it is relatively easy to check out the original source. If using the IGI on microfiche, these extracted entries usually have a batch number beginning with C or M or occasionally another letter, but some begin with numbers.
The CD-ROM edition gives pretty complete information for each entry. But if you’re using the IGI on fiche there is no substitute for reading detailed instructional material about this.
For anyone with an Internet connection, the IGI can be found on-line at this address: www.familysearch.org. It's all free.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/genealogy-articles/igi-is-a-road-map-to-your-ancestry-1007792.html
About the AuthorProfessional genealogist, local historian, broadcaster, editor and author, Peter N. Collins, founded Garrison Communications Family History Research Services in 1995. He whet his genealogy appetite with the launch of the Alexander Henderson Award-winning book, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: A History of the Maudsley Family, in 1988. Offering commissioned family history and archival research services, Peter serves an Australian and international clientele who typically have ancestral links with Queensland. Garrison Communications stocks state-of-the-art genealogy research software and other information technology equipment (including the ScanPro 2000).
Monday 2 May 2011
Family History Stumbling Blocks with the English Parish Records
Author: Nick ThorneSometimes our research can become bogged down as we work on our family history. Not the least of which is in the area of Parish Records. Some time back, when I was starting out on this quest to find my ancestors, I was introduced to this list of twelve stumbling blocks while I was doing an on-line course with Pharos Tutors. Some of the hurdles below can be got around, while others are not so easy to get past!
1. Handwriting - It can be fiendishly difficult to decipher and it may vary enormously from parish to parish depending on the vicar or clerk writing it. The art of reading old handwriting is called palaeography and you may find various books available to purchase from bookshops. There are guides on-line at The National Archives website http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/Palaeography/ and another one at Scotland's Peoples website http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/. This latter site is worth a look even if you don't have Scottish ancestors as their guide is really useful to family historians.
2. Mistakes in the documents - the registers are often no more than copies of the original daily memorandum book. These may have been written up once a year and so the possibility of mistakes creeping in or entries being left out becomes a real possibility. If this has happened to the records you need to use there is no real work around here other than finding an alternate data sources.
3. Gaps in the registers or they are missing altogether is another frustrating problem with no real remedy.
4. Details may be lacking in the records as there was no standard applied as to what should be recorded.
5. Before 1733 most legal documents would be written in Latin although surnames, at least, would not be translated into Latin. My solution here is to do a search on the Internet for a Latin to English translation page, where by entering the Latin into the box an English translation is produced.
6. Spelling of surnames may vary from the norm. Stop and think of likely spellings for the way a name may have sounded to the writer. Remember also to consider the local accent when doing this.
7. Can't find baptismal records? Perhaps the children were not baptised at all or were christened when they were older? In one of my branches four or five were all baptised together on the same day! Remember to keep looking for several years.
8. Periods of non-conformity. Again, in my same paternal line, I find several children christened in the established church and then several more in the Presbyterian chapel, before they return to the Church of England. The lesson I learnt from this was not to assume that they were C of E from cradle to grave.
9. Illegitimacy - Have you an ancestor whose parentage is in doubt? Make a search of the local poor law records such as Bastardy bonds if you are unable to find your ancestor in the Parish Records.
10. A person giving their details to the minister may have been mistaken and not know where they were born. The solution here is to widen your search to other parishes.
11. People moved about more than many expect so be prepared to look at surrounding Parishes from the one you assume your ancestors hailed from.
Similarly the family may have moved into the area from a different parish. Here you should do a search of parishes on the IGI or the County Record Office for a ten mile radius. A great piece of software to help find the names of the neighbouring parishes is the Parish Locator free from this website: http://www.yorksgen.co.uk/
12. The change of the calendar in 1752 may be a pitfall for you to tumble into if you are not aware of it. England and Wales adopted the Gregorian calendar in September 1752.
- 11 days were omitted - the day after 2nd September 1752 became the 14th September.
- The first day of the year, or Supputation of the Year became the 1st of January.
- Prior to this in England and Wales, the year began on Lady Day, or the 25th March. This would mean that the 24th of March 1750 would be the last day of 1750 and the next day was the 25th of March 1751, and a new year.
The Calendar Act 1750 changed this situation, so that the day after 31 December 1751 was 1 January 1752. As a consequence, 1751 was a very short year - it ran only from 25 March to 31 December.
The year had previously been broken up into quarters, still in use for some legal practices, Lady Day (25th March), Midsummers Day (24th June), Michaelmas Day (29th September) and Christmas day 25th December).
To throw even more confusion into this situation, Scotland had already changed the first day of the year to 1 January in 1600 and so 1599 was a short year there ( remember that in 1600, Scotland was a completely separate kingdom from England as the United Kingdom had not come into being yet).
What has to be recognised is that when King James VI of Scotland also became King James I of England in 1603, the possibilities of date confusion must have been very large indeed across his two kingdoms.
So remember that there are stumbling blocks just waiting to trip you up. Some you can do little about but others need the application of a little effort to get around. Good luck as you research your ancestors.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/family-history-stumbling-blocks-with-the-english-parish-records-1590370.html
About the AuthorNick Thorne, alias: The Nosey Genealogist, shares the secret tips and tricks, learnt from professional family historians, so that you can break down your brickwalls in family history. Nick provides reports, podcasts and screencast videos to help you succeed in your online search for your ancestors. Want to learn more about Beginning Family History Online? Claim Nick's free weekly tips and tricks, available at:=>
http://www.NoseyGenealogist.com
Sunday 1 May 2011
Trade Directories - What Are They & How Can They Help Find Your Ancestors?
Commercial directories first started to be published for cities and large towns in the UK in the early 1800's, although London directories started in 1734. They were originally aimed at commercial travellers, and contained general information about each town, and lists of churches, schools, inns, prominent residents such as JP's, farmers, shopkeepers and other local traders.
Some private residents were also included, in the earlier directories they tended to be just the wealthy, but they later became more comprehensive in their coverage and included the names and addresses of more and more private residents.
By the mid 1800's a city directory would be quite a substantial volume including thousands of names and would usually be divided into four sections covering:
1: Commercial - A general alphabetical list of all traders
2: Trades - Alphabetical lists for particular trades and businesses.
3: Streets - A list of tradesmen and residents arranged by street.
4: Court - Lists of wealthier residents, local officials, etc.
Directories are an important source to use to track down your ancestors, particularly when they have moved, or sold a business. For example if an ancestor has been a trader for 5 years you should be able to find them listed each year, and if they do then not appear in the next years directory you can look in the street section to see who is living at that address, is it someone else carrying on the same trade who has perhaps bought your ancestors business, or has your relative died or moved house. If they are still living in the same town then you should be able to find them listed in the commercial section if they are still carrying out the same trade.
Copies of directories are held in local archives, libraries, and many have been reprinted in book form or have been scanned onto a CD, and can be purchased over the internet.
I have a collection of around 275 directories and other source books that I have personally scanned to CD over the past ten years that are available to purchase at just £5.00 each plus postage. Enquiries to stevejgarton@lineone.net
PIGOTS 1834 DIRECTORY – YORKSHIRE (Transcript)
PIGOTS 1834 DIRECTORY – DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND
1829 DIRECTORY – DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND
SCARBOROUGH & DISTRICT 1920 DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1936 DIRECTORY – HULL & NEIGHBOURHOOD
HULL & DISTRICT 1951 TRADES DIRECTORY
YORK & DISTRICT 1951 TRADES DIRECTORY
BAINES YORKSHIRE PAST & PRESENT
THE MIDDLE VALLEY OF THE WHARFE
PICTURESQUE HISTORY OF YORKSHIRE – BEVERLEY & WOLDS
YORKSHIRE THOROUGH GUIDE
YORKSHIRE HILL FOLK
YORKSHIRE RECIPES
NOTES ON SOUTH CAVE CHURCH 1882
1873 RETURN OF LAND OWNERS – DURHAM
1873 RETURN OF LAND OWNERS – NORTHUMBERLAND
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE BRITISH LEGION HANDBOOK 1937
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – CHESHIRE
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – DERBYSHIRE
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – SHROPSHIRE
LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY 1766
BAINES 1824 DIRECTORY – LANCASHIRE (Volume 1)
BURNLEY & DISTRICT 1953 TRADES DIRECTORY
PLYMOUTH & DISTRICT 1943 TRADES DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1883 DIRECTORY – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
KELLYS 1883 DIRECTORY – NORFOLK
KELLYS 1914 DIRECTORY – BEDFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1914 DIRECTORY – HUNTINGDONSHIRE
KELLYS 1914 DIRECTORY – NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
KELLYS 1931 DIRECTORY – GLOUCESTERSHIRE
KELLYS 1941 DIRECTORY – OXFORD
KELLYS 1946 DIRECTORY – BIRMINGHAM
KELLYS 1950 DIRECTORY – BATH
NORTHANTS PARISH REGISTERS
CRANFORD ST ANDREW & CRANFORD ST JOHN PARISH REGISTERS
THE ROMANCE OF PARISH REGISTERS
HISTORY OF THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
KELLYS 1883 DIRECTORY – SUFFOLK
WHITES 1850 DIRECTORY – DEVON
KELLYS 1936 DIRECTORY – ESHER & COBHAM
SOMERSET HOUSE CHAPEL MIDDLESEX
HISTORY OF NEWCASTLE ON TYNE
MANNIX & WHELLAN 1847 DIRECTORY – CUMBERLAND
RUSHDEN PARK ROAD BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL 1810 – 1910
YORKSHIRE COUNTY MAGAZINE
BULMERS 1890 DIRECTORY – NORTH YORKSHIRE
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE PLACE NAMES
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY 7 COUNTIES
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY CAMBRIDGESHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY LEICESTERSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY LINCOLNSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY OXFORDSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY WARWICKSHIRE
NEWCASTLE & GATESHEAD YEAR BOOK 1914
WEST YORKSHIRE 1900 COUNTY BLUE BOOK & COURT GUIDE
LEEDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL ADMISSION BOOKS 1820 – 1900
KELLYS 1931 DIRECTORY – WIMBLEDON & MERTON
SOUTH CAVE PARISH REGISTERS
KELLYS 1935 DIRECTORY – READING
NORTON PARISH REGISTER 1559 – 1812
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF BOLTON
KELLYS 1933 DIRECTORY – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
KELLYS 1935 DIRECTORY – DORSET
KELLYS 1936 DIRECTORY – CHESTER
MONK FRYSTON PARISH REGISTER 1538 – 1678
DOMESTIC ANNALS OF SCOTLAND
KELLYS 1888 DIRECTORY – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
KELLYS 1888 DIRECTORY – NORFOLK
KELLYS 1888 DIRECTORY – SUFFOLK
KELLYS 1926 DIRECTORY – HEREFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1926 DIRECTORY – SHROPSHIRE
KELLYS 1935 DIRECTORY – BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE – ITS LAND & PEOPLE
WHITES 1872 DIRECTORY – LINCOLNSHIRE
KELLYS 1929 DIRECTORY – NORTH & EAST RIDINGS OF YORKSHIRE
BULMERS 1905 DIRECTORY – WESTMORELAND
KELLYS 1937 DIRECTORY – HERTFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1940 DIRECTORY – STAFFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1940 DIRECTORY – WARWICKSHIRE
KELLYS 1940 DIRECTORY – WORCESTERSHIRE
KELLYS 1923 DIRECTORY – WILTSHIRE
NORTHUMBERLAND PEOPLE & PLACES
BULMERS 1886 DIRECTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND (HEXHAM DIVISION)
WARDS 1930 DIRECTORY – REDCAR, MIDDLESBOROUGH, STOCKTON
THE NAVY LIST 1855
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR – SECTION 1
WARDS 1930 DIRECTORY – NEWCASTLE, NORTH & SOUTH SHIELDS, JARROW
KELLYS 1895 DIRECTORY OXFORDSHIRE
BAINES 1823 DIRECTORY – EAST & NORTH RIDINGS OF YORKSHIRE
KELLYS 1939 DIRECTORY – SOMERSET
THE ROYAL KALENDAR 1827
A SCHOOL HISTORY OF THE EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE
OLD YORKSHIRE (NEW SERIES 1890)
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAVE & OTHER PARISHES
KELLYS 1928 DIRECTORY – IPSWICH
WHITES 1853 DIRECTORY – LEEDS, BRADFORD, HALIFAX, HUDDERSFIELD CD
THE ROMANCE OF THE YORKSHIRE COAST
KELLYS 1880 DIRECTORY – HAMPSHIRE & THE ISLE OF WIGHT
THE SNAPPER – 1929 JOURNAL OF THE EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – MANCHESTER
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – MANCHESTER DISTRICT
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – BOLTON, OLDHAM, ROCHDALE, STOCKPORT
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – CHESHIRE
ARMY LIST 1865
YORK CITY GUIDE
KELLYS 1880 DORSET DIRECTORY
WARDS 1921 DIRECTORY SUNDERLAND, WALLSEND, NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD
REMINISCENCES OF OLD SHEFFIELD
KELLYS 1936 LEICS & RUTLAND DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1880 WILTSHIRE DIRECTORY
BIRMINGHAM 1818 DIRECTORY
NORTHOWRAM REGISTER
BRADFORD FIFTY YEARS AGO
HISTORY OF BRIGHOUSE, RASTRICK & HIPPERHOLME
GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL REGISTER
GAZETTEER OF SCOTLAND
1936 REGISTER OF ELECTORS - TONBRIDGE
HISTORY OF THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT 1914 - 1927
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS IN HAMPSHIRE
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS IN YORKSHIRE
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS IN KENT
BRITISH FAMILY NAMES
STORY OF THE NORTH COUNTRY
ST GEORGE'S GAZETTE - 1896 JOURNAL OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
THE ROMANCE OF NORTHUMBERLAND
OXFORD AS IT WAS
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT
TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF WORCESTERSHIRE & YORKSHIRE
BYGONE YORKSHIRE
THE CENTURYS PROGRESS - YORKSHIRE
THE COUNTY OF THE WHITE ROSE
TOPCLIFFE & MORLEY REGISTERS
BYGONE BURY
KELLYS 1912 ESSEX DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1855 DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1855 YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
1871 CENSUS STRAYS V1
HISTORY OF GIRLINGTON WESLEYAN CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE ANNALS OF MANCHESTER
1915 LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY
OLD & NEW NOTTINGHAM
KELLYS 1912 MIDDLESEX DIRECTORY
HAMPSTEAD 1939 DIRECTORY
EDINBURGH PAST & PRESENT
ANNALS OF LEEDS
GORES 1814 LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY
BAINES 1825 DIRECTORY – LANCASHIRE (Volume 2)
BAINES 1824/5 LANCASHIRE DIRECTORY (2 Vols)
MANNEX 1851 WESTMORLAND DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1896 WARWICKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1912 HERTFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 KENT DIRECTORY
LEWIS TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF ENGLAND
KELLYS 1903 SUSSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 SURREY DIRECTORY
LUTON BURGESS ROLLS
KELLYS 1922 SHROPSHIRE DIRECTORY
WILLIAMSONS 1773 EDINBURGH DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 BERKSHIRE DIRECTORY
CHELTENHAM REGISTER
PIGOTS 1830 BUCKS DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1890 NORTHANTS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 SUSSEX DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1890 BEDFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 BEDFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 CAMBRIDGESHIRE DIRECTORY
LANCASHIRE MILITIA
KELLYS 1890 HUNTINGDONSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1935 PORTSMOUTH DIRECTORY
SIDCUP 1938 DIRECTORY
HARROW REGISTER
WHITES 1882 LINCOLNSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1929 ESSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 CORNWALL DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 GLOUCS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 HANTS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 DEVON DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 NORFOLK DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 SUFFOLK DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 NORTHANTS DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 SHIELDS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 DORSET DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 SUNDERLAND DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 GATESHEAD DIRECTORY
GLASGOW 1943/4 POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 HEREFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1939 BERKSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 HUNTS DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1947 NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1939 OXFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
HALDENS 1893 STAFFORD DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 OXON DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1902 DURHAM DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 WALES DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1902 NORTHUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 SOMERSET DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1939 DEVON DIRECTORY
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR - SECTION 7
KELLYS 1939 CORNWALL DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 WILTSHIRE DIRECTORY
WHITES 1846 LEICESTERSHIRE DIRECTORY
BULMERS 1887 NORTHUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
LONDON MARRIAGES
KELLYS 1890 HERTFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
MELVILLES 1861 NORTHANTS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 ESSEX DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1931 BERKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1918 LINCS DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1938 SURREY DIRECTORY
FYNES HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM MINERS
HUNTS 1851 DORSET DIRECTORY
WHITES 1863 ESSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 HERTFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
HISTORIC & PICTURESQUE INNS OF OLD ENGLAND
PIGOTS 1839 MIDDLESEX DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1918 HULL DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1854 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1931 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1894 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1854 HUNTINGDONSHIRE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
FETTES COLLEGE REGISTER 1870 - 1909
KELLYS 1854 CAMBRIDGESHIRE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
THE ROSSALL REGISTER 1844 - 1913
KELLYS 1854 NORFOLK POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1928 DERBYSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1931 OXFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1854 SUFFOLK POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
WRIGHTS 1879 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1928 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1928 LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND DIRECTORY
BENNETTS 1910 YORKSHIRE BUSINESS DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 LEINSTER DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1893 CORNWALL DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 CONNAUGHT & MUNSTER DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1936 WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 ULSTER DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 LEEDS & SHEFFIELD DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 MANCHESTER & SALFORD DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 GLASGOW DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 BIRMINGHAM DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 BRISTOL DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1886 DERBY DIRECTORY
COPES 1924 CHESHIRE DIRECTORY
1911 MANCHESTER ROYAL EXCHANGE DIRECTORY
BAINES 1822 WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
WHITES 1885 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1925 CUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
BAINES 1822 LONDON DIRECTORY
DURHAM SCHOOL REGISTER
KELLYS 1925 WESTMORLAND DIRECTORY
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR - SECTION 13
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR - SECTION 12
KELLYS 1893 DEVON DIRECTORY
WARDS 1939 SUNDERLAND & WALLSEND DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1874 BIRMINGHAM DIRECTORY
WARDS 1939 NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY
WHITES 1851 STAFFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
WARDS 1939 GATESHEAD DIRECTORY
BULMERS 1895 DERBYSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1828 LANCASHIRE DIRECTORY
EDINBURGH ACADEMY REGISTER
WHITES 1850 WARWICKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1922 CAMBRIDGESHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1828 YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1947 LEEDS DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1863 BIRMINGHAM DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1891 SUSSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1835 STAFFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1835 WARWICKSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1835 WORCESTERSHIRE DIRECTORY
LONDON 1896 DIRECTORY
Some private residents were also included, in the earlier directories they tended to be just the wealthy, but they later became more comprehensive in their coverage and included the names and addresses of more and more private residents.
By the mid 1800's a city directory would be quite a substantial volume including thousands of names and would usually be divided into four sections covering:
1: Commercial - A general alphabetical list of all traders
2: Trades - Alphabetical lists for particular trades and businesses.
3: Streets - A list of tradesmen and residents arranged by street.
4: Court - Lists of wealthier residents, local officials, etc.
Directories are an important source to use to track down your ancestors, particularly when they have moved, or sold a business. For example if an ancestor has been a trader for 5 years you should be able to find them listed each year, and if they do then not appear in the next years directory you can look in the street section to see who is living at that address, is it someone else carrying on the same trade who has perhaps bought your ancestors business, or has your relative died or moved house. If they are still living in the same town then you should be able to find them listed in the commercial section if they are still carrying out the same trade.
Copies of directories are held in local archives, libraries, and many have been reprinted in book form or have been scanned onto a CD, and can be purchased over the internet.
I have a collection of around 275 directories and other source books that I have personally scanned to CD over the past ten years that are available to purchase at just £5.00 each plus postage. Enquiries to stevejgarton@lineone.net
PIGOTS 1834 DIRECTORY – YORKSHIRE (Transcript)
PIGOTS 1834 DIRECTORY – DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND
1829 DIRECTORY – DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND
SCARBOROUGH & DISTRICT 1920 DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1936 DIRECTORY – HULL & NEIGHBOURHOOD
HULL & DISTRICT 1951 TRADES DIRECTORY
YORK & DISTRICT 1951 TRADES DIRECTORY
BAINES YORKSHIRE PAST & PRESENT
THE MIDDLE VALLEY OF THE WHARFE
PICTURESQUE HISTORY OF YORKSHIRE – BEVERLEY & WOLDS
YORKSHIRE THOROUGH GUIDE
YORKSHIRE HILL FOLK
YORKSHIRE RECIPES
NOTES ON SOUTH CAVE CHURCH 1882
1873 RETURN OF LAND OWNERS – DURHAM
1873 RETURN OF LAND OWNERS – NORTHUMBERLAND
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE BRITISH LEGION HANDBOOK 1937
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – CHESHIRE
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – DERBYSHIRE
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
PIGOTS 1828-9 DIRECTORY – SHROPSHIRE
LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY 1766
BAINES 1824 DIRECTORY – LANCASHIRE (Volume 1)
BURNLEY & DISTRICT 1953 TRADES DIRECTORY
PLYMOUTH & DISTRICT 1943 TRADES DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1883 DIRECTORY – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
KELLYS 1883 DIRECTORY – NORFOLK
KELLYS 1914 DIRECTORY – BEDFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1914 DIRECTORY – HUNTINGDONSHIRE
KELLYS 1914 DIRECTORY – NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
KELLYS 1931 DIRECTORY – GLOUCESTERSHIRE
KELLYS 1941 DIRECTORY – OXFORD
KELLYS 1946 DIRECTORY – BIRMINGHAM
KELLYS 1950 DIRECTORY – BATH
NORTHANTS PARISH REGISTERS
CRANFORD ST ANDREW & CRANFORD ST JOHN PARISH REGISTERS
THE ROMANCE OF PARISH REGISTERS
HISTORY OF THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
KELLYS 1883 DIRECTORY – SUFFOLK
WHITES 1850 DIRECTORY – DEVON
KELLYS 1936 DIRECTORY – ESHER & COBHAM
SOMERSET HOUSE CHAPEL MIDDLESEX
HISTORY OF NEWCASTLE ON TYNE
MANNIX & WHELLAN 1847 DIRECTORY – CUMBERLAND
RUSHDEN PARK ROAD BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL 1810 – 1910
YORKSHIRE COUNTY MAGAZINE
BULMERS 1890 DIRECTORY – NORTH YORKSHIRE
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE PLACE NAMES
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY 7 COUNTIES
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY CAMBRIDGESHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY LEICESTERSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY LINCOLNSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY OXFORDSHIRE
BENNETTS 1901 BUSINESS DIRECTORY WARWICKSHIRE
NEWCASTLE & GATESHEAD YEAR BOOK 1914
WEST YORKSHIRE 1900 COUNTY BLUE BOOK & COURT GUIDE
LEEDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL ADMISSION BOOKS 1820 – 1900
KELLYS 1931 DIRECTORY – WIMBLEDON & MERTON
SOUTH CAVE PARISH REGISTERS
KELLYS 1935 DIRECTORY – READING
NORTON PARISH REGISTER 1559 – 1812
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF BOLTON
KELLYS 1933 DIRECTORY – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
KELLYS 1935 DIRECTORY – DORSET
KELLYS 1936 DIRECTORY – CHESTER
MONK FRYSTON PARISH REGISTER 1538 – 1678
DOMESTIC ANNALS OF SCOTLAND
KELLYS 1888 DIRECTORY – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
KELLYS 1888 DIRECTORY – NORFOLK
KELLYS 1888 DIRECTORY – SUFFOLK
KELLYS 1926 DIRECTORY – HEREFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1926 DIRECTORY – SHROPSHIRE
KELLYS 1935 DIRECTORY – BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE – ITS LAND & PEOPLE
WHITES 1872 DIRECTORY – LINCOLNSHIRE
KELLYS 1929 DIRECTORY – NORTH & EAST RIDINGS OF YORKSHIRE
BULMERS 1905 DIRECTORY – WESTMORELAND
KELLYS 1937 DIRECTORY – HERTFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1940 DIRECTORY – STAFFORDSHIRE
KELLYS 1940 DIRECTORY – WARWICKSHIRE
KELLYS 1940 DIRECTORY – WORCESTERSHIRE
KELLYS 1923 DIRECTORY – WILTSHIRE
NORTHUMBERLAND PEOPLE & PLACES
BULMERS 1886 DIRECTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND (HEXHAM DIVISION)
WARDS 1930 DIRECTORY – REDCAR, MIDDLESBOROUGH, STOCKTON
THE NAVY LIST 1855
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR – SECTION 1
WARDS 1930 DIRECTORY – NEWCASTLE, NORTH & SOUTH SHIELDS, JARROW
KELLYS 1895 DIRECTORY OXFORDSHIRE
BAINES 1823 DIRECTORY – EAST & NORTH RIDINGS OF YORKSHIRE
KELLYS 1939 DIRECTORY – SOMERSET
THE ROYAL KALENDAR 1827
A SCHOOL HISTORY OF THE EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE
OLD YORKSHIRE (NEW SERIES 1890)
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAVE & OTHER PARISHES
KELLYS 1928 DIRECTORY – IPSWICH
WHITES 1853 DIRECTORY – LEEDS, BRADFORD, HALIFAX, HUDDERSFIELD CD
THE ROMANCE OF THE YORKSHIRE COAST
KELLYS 1880 DIRECTORY – HAMPSHIRE & THE ISLE OF WIGHT
THE SNAPPER – 1929 JOURNAL OF THE EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – MANCHESTER
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – MANCHESTER DISTRICT
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – BOLTON, OLDHAM, ROCHDALE, STOCKPORT
1933 TRADES DIRECTORY – CHESHIRE
ARMY LIST 1865
YORK CITY GUIDE
KELLYS 1880 DORSET DIRECTORY
WARDS 1921 DIRECTORY SUNDERLAND, WALLSEND, NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD
REMINISCENCES OF OLD SHEFFIELD
KELLYS 1936 LEICS & RUTLAND DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1880 WILTSHIRE DIRECTORY
BIRMINGHAM 1818 DIRECTORY
NORTHOWRAM REGISTER
BRADFORD FIFTY YEARS AGO
HISTORY OF BRIGHOUSE, RASTRICK & HIPPERHOLME
GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL REGISTER
GAZETTEER OF SCOTLAND
1936 REGISTER OF ELECTORS - TONBRIDGE
HISTORY OF THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT 1914 - 1927
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS IN HAMPSHIRE
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS IN YORKSHIRE
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS IN KENT
BRITISH FAMILY NAMES
STORY OF THE NORTH COUNTRY
ST GEORGE'S GAZETTE - 1896 JOURNAL OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
THE ROMANCE OF NORTHUMBERLAND
OXFORD AS IT WAS
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT
TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF WORCESTERSHIRE & YORKSHIRE
BYGONE YORKSHIRE
THE CENTURYS PROGRESS - YORKSHIRE
THE COUNTY OF THE WHITE ROSE
TOPCLIFFE & MORLEY REGISTERS
BYGONE BURY
KELLYS 1912 ESSEX DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1855 DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1855 YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
1871 CENSUS STRAYS V1
HISTORY OF GIRLINGTON WESLEYAN CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE ANNALS OF MANCHESTER
1915 LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY
OLD & NEW NOTTINGHAM
KELLYS 1912 MIDDLESEX DIRECTORY
HAMPSTEAD 1939 DIRECTORY
EDINBURGH PAST & PRESENT
ANNALS OF LEEDS
GORES 1814 LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY
BAINES 1825 DIRECTORY – LANCASHIRE (Volume 2)
BAINES 1824/5 LANCASHIRE DIRECTORY (2 Vols)
MANNEX 1851 WESTMORLAND DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1896 WARWICKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1912 HERTFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 KENT DIRECTORY
LEWIS TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF ENGLAND
KELLYS 1903 SUSSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 SURREY DIRECTORY
LUTON BURGESS ROLLS
KELLYS 1922 SHROPSHIRE DIRECTORY
WILLIAMSONS 1773 EDINBURGH DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 BERKSHIRE DIRECTORY
CHELTENHAM REGISTER
PIGOTS 1830 BUCKS DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1890 NORTHANTS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 SUSSEX DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1890 BEDFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 BEDFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 CAMBRIDGESHIRE DIRECTORY
LANCASHIRE MILITIA
KELLYS 1890 HUNTINGDONSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1935 PORTSMOUTH DIRECTORY
SIDCUP 1938 DIRECTORY
HARROW REGISTER
WHITES 1882 LINCOLNSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1929 ESSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 CORNWALL DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 GLOUCS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 HANTS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 DEVON DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 NORFOLK DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 SUFFOLK DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 NORTHANTS DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 SHIELDS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 DORSET DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 SUNDERLAND DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY
WARDS 1897 GATESHEAD DIRECTORY
GLASGOW 1943/4 POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 HEREFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1939 BERKSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 HUNTS DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1947 NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1939 OXFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
HALDENS 1893 STAFFORD DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 OXON DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1902 DURHAM DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 WALES DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1902 NORTHUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 SOMERSET DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1939 DEVON DIRECTORY
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR - SECTION 7
KELLYS 1939 CORNWALL DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1830 WILTSHIRE DIRECTORY
WHITES 1846 LEICESTERSHIRE DIRECTORY
BULMERS 1887 NORTHUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
LONDON MARRIAGES
KELLYS 1890 HERTFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
MELVILLES 1861 NORTHANTS DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 ESSEX DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1931 BERKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1918 LINCS DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1938 SURREY DIRECTORY
FYNES HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM MINERS
HUNTS 1851 DORSET DIRECTORY
WHITES 1863 ESSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1839 HERTFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
HISTORIC & PICTURESQUE INNS OF OLD ENGLAND
PIGOTS 1839 MIDDLESEX DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1918 HULL DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1854 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1931 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1894 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1854 HUNTINGDONSHIRE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
FETTES COLLEGE REGISTER 1870 - 1909
KELLYS 1854 CAMBRIDGESHIRE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
THE ROSSALL REGISTER 1844 - 1913
KELLYS 1854 NORFOLK POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1928 DERBYSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1931 OXFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1854 SUFFOLK POST OFFICE DIRECTORY
WRIGHTS 1879 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1928 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1928 LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND DIRECTORY
BENNETTS 1910 YORKSHIRE BUSINESS DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 LEINSTER DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1893 CORNWALL DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 CONNAUGHT & MUNSTER DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1936 WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 ULSTER DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 LEEDS & SHEFFIELD DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 MANCHESTER & SALFORD DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 LIVERPOOL DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 GLASGOW DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 BIRMINGHAM DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1846 BRISTOL DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1886 DERBY DIRECTORY
COPES 1924 CHESHIRE DIRECTORY
1911 MANCHESTER ROYAL EXCHANGE DIRECTORY
BAINES 1822 WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
WHITES 1885 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1925 CUMBERLAND DIRECTORY
BAINES 1822 LONDON DIRECTORY
DURHAM SCHOOL REGISTER
KELLYS 1925 WESTMORLAND DIRECTORY
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR - SECTION 13
NATIONAL ROLL OF THE GREAT WAR - SECTION 12
KELLYS 1893 DEVON DIRECTORY
WARDS 1939 SUNDERLAND & WALLSEND DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1874 BIRMINGHAM DIRECTORY
WARDS 1939 NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY
WHITES 1851 STAFFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
WARDS 1939 GATESHEAD DIRECTORY
BULMERS 1895 DERBYSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1828 LANCASHIRE DIRECTORY
EDINBURGH ACADEMY REGISTER
WHITES 1850 WARWICKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1922 CAMBRIDGESHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1828 YORKSHIRE DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1947 LEEDS DIRECTORY
SLATERS 1863 BIRMINGHAM DIRECTORY
KELLYS 1891 SUSSEX DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1835 STAFFORDSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1835 WARWICKSHIRE DIRECTORY
PIGOTS 1835 WORCESTERSHIRE DIRECTORY
LONDON 1896 DIRECTORY
Saturday 30 April 2011
Turning Your Genealogy Research Into a Family Tree Scrapbook
Family tree scrapbooking is just as the words say - you make your family tree, but as a scrapbook. A family tree can come in many forms, and you can make it as much fun as you like by putting yours into a scrapbook.
The main difference between a regular family tree and a family tree scrapbook is that the scrapbook can be much more fun to make. You can add on lots of information there as well that would look cluttered if it were in a regular family tree display. The scrapbook is not any different from any other kind of scrapbook that you have made over the years, only that it contains historical information on your family.
Using a scrapbook to show your family's history is an excellent way to get kids interested in their family's roots and genealogy, and can be a wonderful gift to someone in your family as well.
What do you need to get started? Not much:
1. Start by getting yourself into a fun and creative mood - you are going to make this scrapbook using lots of imagination.
2. You need a scrapbook
3. You need some glue, scissors and some colors
4. Pictures of family mementos, and copies of family photos
If you have all that assembled, it's time to go out and get the information that you will be putting in there. You will need to decide in advance how far back you want your family tree to go. Each page in your scrapbook can represent a generation, so that the first page is the oldest and the last page is you and your family. If you already have some information, you can leave a page to put the genealogy in.
Once you have all the names and years that you need to put into your project, get to work. Using some creative writing and some color, pencil them in. If you have copies of family photos, you can shape them creatively and stick them in the relevant places, right below the name of each person.
Your mementos are also going to be used this way. You might be wondering just what mementos to use; it can be anything that your family was known for. If your family had a crest, reproduce it and put it in. If there was a house that was lived in by generations of people, get a picture or recreation of it and put it in. It can be anything that you want - get as creative as possible.
You now want to add little notes under the names. If your great, great-grandfather was a great shot for example, you might want to add "One Shot Tom" or whatever his name was under his name. Feel free to draw a shotgun under it or whatever he used. This is also a great way to start collecting details for a genealogy.
There are shops that sell little decorations that you can add to your family tree scrapbook to make it look even better - they will have ancient looking pieces and bits and bobs that you can paste on for effect. If you can find a shop like this near you, buy a few. If you can't, you might want to look online and see if you can make an online purchase.
Perhaps you have already made up a regular family tree and have since come across a lot more information. A scrapbook is a great way of not only storing but also displaying all that additional information.
Take care with the layout of each page and make sure you don't clutter it too much. As you continue to create it you may well learn even more about your family. Family tree scrapbooking is one of the most creative ways of recording your family's unique history.
Margaret Ravenscroft has been a genealogist for over 20 years and has traced her family back to medieval times. If you have found this article helpful, visit Family Tree Scrapbooking to discover more. Click Here for your FREE Minicourse http://www.genealogyandfamilytrees.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Ravenscroft
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6092121
The main difference between a regular family tree and a family tree scrapbook is that the scrapbook can be much more fun to make. You can add on lots of information there as well that would look cluttered if it were in a regular family tree display. The scrapbook is not any different from any other kind of scrapbook that you have made over the years, only that it contains historical information on your family.
Using a scrapbook to show your family's history is an excellent way to get kids interested in their family's roots and genealogy, and can be a wonderful gift to someone in your family as well.
What do you need to get started? Not much:
1. Start by getting yourself into a fun and creative mood - you are going to make this scrapbook using lots of imagination.
2. You need a scrapbook
3. You need some glue, scissors and some colors
4. Pictures of family mementos, and copies of family photos
If you have all that assembled, it's time to go out and get the information that you will be putting in there. You will need to decide in advance how far back you want your family tree to go. Each page in your scrapbook can represent a generation, so that the first page is the oldest and the last page is you and your family. If you already have some information, you can leave a page to put the genealogy in.
Once you have all the names and years that you need to put into your project, get to work. Using some creative writing and some color, pencil them in. If you have copies of family photos, you can shape them creatively and stick them in the relevant places, right below the name of each person.
Your mementos are also going to be used this way. You might be wondering just what mementos to use; it can be anything that your family was known for. If your family had a crest, reproduce it and put it in. If there was a house that was lived in by generations of people, get a picture or recreation of it and put it in. It can be anything that you want - get as creative as possible.
You now want to add little notes under the names. If your great, great-grandfather was a great shot for example, you might want to add "One Shot Tom" or whatever his name was under his name. Feel free to draw a shotgun under it or whatever he used. This is also a great way to start collecting details for a genealogy.
There are shops that sell little decorations that you can add to your family tree scrapbook to make it look even better - they will have ancient looking pieces and bits and bobs that you can paste on for effect. If you can find a shop like this near you, buy a few. If you can't, you might want to look online and see if you can make an online purchase.
Perhaps you have already made up a regular family tree and have since come across a lot more information. A scrapbook is a great way of not only storing but also displaying all that additional information.
Take care with the layout of each page and make sure you don't clutter it too much. As you continue to create it you may well learn even more about your family. Family tree scrapbooking is one of the most creative ways of recording your family's unique history.
Margaret Ravenscroft has been a genealogist for over 20 years and has traced her family back to medieval times. If you have found this article helpful, visit Family Tree Scrapbooking to discover more. Click Here for your FREE Minicourse http://www.genealogyandfamilytrees.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Ravenscroft
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6092121
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Family History Centers – A Great Place to Follow Your Ancestor’s Trails
Author: Floyd MillsFamily History Centers are operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have access to a vast amount of genealogical records held at the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah. With over 4,500 centers from the Latter Day Saints located all throughout the United States as well as countries abroad, you can easily find one near you.
Records at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah include:
- Pedigree Resource Files on compact disks and digital video disks
- International Genealogical Index records
- Archived vital records on microfilm and microfiche
- Family history books
- Gazetteers
- Atlases
- Maps and more.
You can search for this information from the centers resources or online through the Latter Day Saints website. Internet connectivity is available at most centers, some with subscriptions to online genealogy research sites. Pedigree Resource Files that are archived on compact disks may also be available at the centers for use in your research or they can be purchased online through the Latter Day Saints church’s website.
These centers are designed to help The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members identify their ancestors and to provide temple ordinances. However, everyone is welcome to use the centers for their research for free. There is a small fee to order microfiche, film or books from the Library in Utah to cover shipping and handling costs.
The Family History Centers are staffed by volunteers that can give you an orientation about the Family History Library’s genealogical holdings, answer some research questions, and help you use the center’s resources. Also through these centers you can order microfilm and microfiche as well as books from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Many of the centers also offer training classes on a variety of genealogical research topics for their patrons. Hours at the history centers are determined by each center individually so you need to call and check availability before you visit them. They may also be available to guide you to other institutions that can help you trace your ancestor’s trails.
To find a Family History Center near you just visit the following link: Family History Centers. For more genealogy tips and links to online research sites, visit my website at Ancestors Trails and keep on researching.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/genealogy-articles/family-history-centers-a-great-place-to-follow-your-ancestors-trails-1560875.html
About the AuthorFloyd Mills - A genealogy enthusiast, and has been researching my family's genealogy as a hobby for several years. Check out my blog at Ancestors Trails Blog and comment or ask questions about your research.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Irish Genealogy Newbie?
Author: PeterFor many of us that develop an interest in genealogy and family history, there is often a single point in time at which we became ‘hooked' For others, it is something they have grown up with because of a general family interest in history or because of belonging to a noble family, with deep ancestry itself.
For me, it was something that came late in life. But, I was thinking about this recently and remembered an incident which happened to me many years ago at the age of 10. I have to put this in context; although my parents were both Irish, I was born in England and this is where we lived, visiting Ireland every year. For a 10 year old boy this was always an exciting experience. Visiting from London in the 1970s, Ireland was a very strange parallel world, where old men
smoked pipes, sat in a corner of the room, regaling past stories and commenting on the politics of the day. The woman of the house proffered an endless supply of tea and cake, commenting about the fine young new priest in the parish – my brother and I not taking the hint.
It was on one of these journeys to Ballinamore, County Leitrim, to visit my mother's relations that this incident occurred. We were heading home after our days visiting but, had stopped at the Central Hotel in the Main Street for a ‘bit of tea'. It was a budget affair and the only other diners were members of a showband who were playing in the town that night. For some reason they were all wearing dark glasses and according to my dad very funny, but I remember not understanding a word they said – they were ‘from the north'.
We stopped outside the hotel, my dad to light his cigarette and my mum to use the ladies room. As happens, my mum had met some old relation inside and a marathon chat ensued. Meanwhile, some American tourists had emerged from the hotel. My dad, being my dad, struck up a conversation. It transpired they had been to Ireland for two weeks searching for their ancestors and were due to leave the next day, heartbroken that they hadn't achieved any real success. ‘Oh that's disappointing' my Dad said. ‘What are your names'? They replied. ‘Oh, I see and where would your people be from'. They informed him. ‘Ah' said my Dad ‘that would be John wee Pat form Bally…….' And for the next half hour my dad entertained them with tales of families, specific ancestors, meanings of surnames and places, notable characters and much advice on where to look further. Our tourists, mouths open looked as though they had been presented to the Angel Gabriel himself at the gates of Heaven. Muttering much praise and thanks they floated away content they could return home, something achieved.
Mum finally closed dialogue and we walked down the street to our car. In somewhat of a state of awe and disbelief I said ‘Dad, how did you know all of that stuff'. After a short pause he replied ‘Ah well, I made half of it up'. Silence. I don't know if I was more disappointed that my Dad had made up some of the stories or that he had set a bad example for me.
It was one of those few experiences in life where you have a very clear recollection of the event. Like when you remember a traumatic event at school – it has some significant meaning for you. I wouldn't say that from that moment I developed an interest in history (I didn't know what genealogy and ancestry was at that age) but, I did look forward even more to those visits home. Yes, I say home, because even then, returning to our house in England I experienced a sense of homesickness. It is a closeness that is difficult to describe – it is an attachment, a sense of belonging that, even now, when I visit the old run down cottage, it sends shivers down my spine - the cottage where we stayed on our visits, where granny ‘chuck-chucked' the chickens at feeding time, washing our faces in the morning in a bowl filled from a stream outside the door of the cottage, the smell of granddads Gold Plug Tobacco………
It was much later in life, finding myself out of work, that I took up a tangible (writing things down instead of feeding my childhood imagination) interest in ancestry and family history. But when did I really first get the ‘bug'. I like to think that it was back then as a 10 year old and I that have been under an apprenticeship ever since. Unfortunately I didn't inherit my dad's amazing
memory for facts and figures, or storytelling, but he proves to be a valuable consultant in my current genealogy work. And what of the information he gave to the American tourists – did he make half of it up? We have to remember, he came from a generation, when storytelling was the past time in the evenings and embellishing a tale was part of the device. What he told them was based on fact, with a little colour and drama thrown in. When conducting genealogy research today, particularly Irish genealogy and listening to stories from granny – we must take them with a pinch of salt. Good ancestry research and reporting should be supported by references and a list of sources used, otherwise it has no merit. However, I do hope we never lose that gift the Irish are renowned for – telling a good yarn.
So, although I am relatively new to Genealogy research, I feel I have been practicing and preparing since a small boy got hooked all those years ago.
Did I make this story up? – you decide.
Peter
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/genealogy-articles/irish-genealogy-newbie-4212528.html
About the AuthorPeter runs a personal genealogy research service based in Ireland. He specialises in working with people who may have been conducting their own research but got stuck making the Irsih connection.
Photographs are copyright of Irish Family Ancestry and may only be used with authors permission
Sunday 24 April 2011
Automated Genealogy Finding Your Ancestry In Canada
If you wish to learn about your relatives who lived in Canada inside the years 1901 or 1911 the Automated Genealogy web page is for you. This specific web-site contains comprehensive details about individuals who lived in Canada in the course of the years 1901 and 1911.
A whole lot of individuals who have Canadian ancestry are curious about their family's past. Should you be 1 of these individuals then the Automated Genealogy web-site is for you. In this web-site you may discover your Canadian ancestors who migrated, born and lived in Canada in the years 1901 and 1911. Even so you must contemplate that this internet site is made by volunteer who're working incredibly hard to complete the 1901 and 1911 census and put it in their database. Within the 1901 census alone, you will discover over five.6 million lines. As you may see, it can take very an although to total the entire database and put it inside the internet site.
The genealogists working with the Automated Genealogy site works very hard to discover all the documents about the people who lived in Canada in 1901 and 1911. You should take into consideration the fact that a whole lot of persons migrated in the course of these two years and if you think that your ancestors lived in Canada during these years and want to discover extra about the lineage of your family, then it is best to contemplate using this website. It is free and they made links to original documents for viewing. The interface is also straightforward to make use of for your convenience.
Some people even testified that they found out about their great grandmother's sister and her spouse soon after only a couple of seconds upon arriving inside the web page and searching. Here you may discover marriage, death, migration and even birth documents which is both easy to uncover and also easy to read.
The volunteers here are also developing other census, such as the 1906 census of Canada, 1872 Kings County census and even the Canadian soldiers of World War I. They made the web site quick to comprehend that even individuals who knows only a bit about genealogy can fully grasp tips on how to search for their Canadian ancestors. You should contemplate that this web page is comparatively new along with the researchers and genealogists along with the website developers involved are still enhancing the web page and completing their data gathering efforts to present top quality services for their visitors.
So, for anyone who is thinking about understanding about your Canadian past, or in case you believe you've got ancestors living in Canada and desire to know more about your long lost extended family, you need to take into consideration exploring the Automated Genealogy website. If you are productive together with your search, you might even organize a family reunion where each and every member of your family can exchange stories about your lengthy lost relatives and know much more about what's become of your family.
Indeed, locating out about your family could be fun. With the Automated Genealogy, you could be sure that you'll come across your ancestors who lived in Canada in 1901 and 1911.
A whole lot of individuals who have Canadian ancestry are curious about their family's past. Should you be 1 of these individuals then the Automated Genealogy web-site is for you. In this web-site you may discover your Canadian ancestors who migrated, born and lived in Canada in the years 1901 and 1911. Even so you must contemplate that this internet site is made by volunteer who're working incredibly hard to complete the 1901 and 1911 census and put it in their database. Within the 1901 census alone, you will discover over five.6 million lines. As you may see, it can take very an although to total the entire database and put it inside the internet site.
The genealogists working with the Automated Genealogy site works very hard to discover all the documents about the people who lived in Canada in 1901 and 1911. You should take into consideration the fact that a whole lot of persons migrated in the course of these two years and if you think that your ancestors lived in Canada during these years and want to discover extra about the lineage of your family, then it is best to contemplate using this website. It is free and they made links to original documents for viewing. The interface is also straightforward to make use of for your convenience.
Some people even testified that they found out about their great grandmother's sister and her spouse soon after only a couple of seconds upon arriving inside the web page and searching. Here you may discover marriage, death, migration and even birth documents which is both easy to uncover and also easy to read.
The volunteers here are also developing other census, such as the 1906 census of Canada, 1872 Kings County census and even the Canadian soldiers of World War I. They made the web site quick to comprehend that even individuals who knows only a bit about genealogy can fully grasp tips on how to search for their Canadian ancestors. You should contemplate that this web page is comparatively new along with the researchers and genealogists along with the website developers involved are still enhancing the web page and completing their data gathering efforts to present top quality services for their visitors.
So, for anyone who is thinking about understanding about your Canadian past, or in case you believe you've got ancestors living in Canada and desire to know more about your long lost extended family, you need to take into consideration exploring the Automated Genealogy website. If you are productive together with your search, you might even organize a family reunion where each and every member of your family can exchange stories about your lengthy lost relatives and know much more about what's become of your family.
Indeed, locating out about your family could be fun. With the Automated Genealogy, you could be sure that you'll come across your ancestors who lived in Canada in 1901 and 1911.
(ArticlesBase SC #4429484)
Wednesday 20 April 2011
How to Look Up Your Irish Ancestors
Have you got Irish ancestors who were living in Ireland early in the last century? If so, here's what you can do to find out about them.
The complete Census of Ireland in 1901 has been put online, making more than 4.5 million records available to genealogists, historians, and anyone who want to look into their family history. Some countries charge for access to such records, but this is a non-commercial, government service, and is free to use.
The census was taken on the night of Sunday, 31 March, 1901, and some 850,000 households on the island were covered. The Irish Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin said the launch of the service was "an important and exciting day for people all over the world who want to trace their roots."
Your ancestor's signature
Among English-speaking census-taking countries, Ireland is unusual in having the original forms filled out and signed by the head of each household on census night. Most other countries have just the books of enumerators - the family details transcribed by the person charged with collecting the census information.
That means that you can view a scanned version of the original form that was filled out for an individual household - including the actual signature of your ancestor.
For each person in the household, the 1901 Census forms show: the first name; surname; relation to head of family; religious profession; education; age; sex; occupation; marriage status; where born; if the individual spoke English, Irish or both, and if the person had a disability.
You can see all the information on the return displayed at the click of a mouse. Click again, and you'll get a pdf of the actual census form. The returns also give details of houses, such as the number of windows, type of roof and number of rooms.
Extra information
The website also provides historical background, photographs and digitized documents from the period, plus links to scholarly and genealogical sites.
It cost almost $5 million to digitize the records. The painstaking work was carried out by Ireland's National Archives in partnership with Library and Archives Canada over the past five years.
The 1911 census records went online between 2007 and 2009 and have attracted more than 260 million hits. Even though the service has not been launched formally in the US, 7 million individual users have used it.
During the Civil War, later census records were lost in a fire at the Public Records Office in 1922. Because of a shortage of paper during the First World War, some later records were pulped.
To get access to the Census, just go to: census.nationalarchives.ie
The complete Census of Ireland in 1901 has been put online, making more than 4.5 million records available to genealogists, historians, and anyone who want to look into their family history. Some countries charge for access to such records, but this is a non-commercial, government service, and is free to use.
The census was taken on the night of Sunday, 31 March, 1901, and some 850,000 households on the island were covered. The Irish Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin said the launch of the service was "an important and exciting day for people all over the world who want to trace their roots."
Your ancestor's signature
Among English-speaking census-taking countries, Ireland is unusual in having the original forms filled out and signed by the head of each household on census night. Most other countries have just the books of enumerators - the family details transcribed by the person charged with collecting the census information.
That means that you can view a scanned version of the original form that was filled out for an individual household - including the actual signature of your ancestor.
For each person in the household, the 1901 Census forms show: the first name; surname; relation to head of family; religious profession; education; age; sex; occupation; marriage status; where born; if the individual spoke English, Irish or both, and if the person had a disability.
You can see all the information on the return displayed at the click of a mouse. Click again, and you'll get a pdf of the actual census form. The returns also give details of houses, such as the number of windows, type of roof and number of rooms.
Extra information
The website also provides historical background, photographs and digitized documents from the period, plus links to scholarly and genealogical sites.
It cost almost $5 million to digitize the records. The painstaking work was carried out by Ireland's National Archives in partnership with Library and Archives Canada over the past five years.
The 1911 census records went online between 2007 and 2009 and have attracted more than 260 million hits. Even though the service has not been launched formally in the US, 7 million individual users have used it.
During the Civil War, later census records were lost in a fire at the Public Records Office in 1922. Because of a shortage of paper during the First World War, some later records were pulped.
To get access to the Census, just go to: census.nationalarchives.ie
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Fitzgerald
Sunday 10 April 2011
Five Advantages to Professional Genealogy Research
We all want to know more about our ancestors and where we come from. Learning more about family history is becoming a more popular goal. But genealogical research can quickly go from a weekend hobby to a daily pastime to a full-time (albeit unpaid) job. Relying on (http://www.heirlines.com/info/Professional-Genealogy-Research.html) professional genealogy research is an attractive alternative to incomplete research or quitting your day job. Here are the top ten advantages that professional genealogy research offers.
5. Speed
Professional genealogy research offers you the advantage of speed. Using certified and trained genealogists to conduct your research allows you to take advantage of their years of previous experience. Certified genealogists can apply their previous researching experience to increase their efficiency as they conduct your search. Let their speed and efficiency work for you.
4. Training
(http://www.heirlines.com/info/Accredited-Genealogist.html) Trained genealogists know where to begin and where to look to find the best and most pertinent information, instead of sifting through countless census, (http://www.heirlines.com/info/Probate-Record.html) probate or other records in a fruitless search. Years of training and experience mean that your professional genealogy researcher will know where to look, how to look and what to look for. Family history research requires a knowledge of many different types of resources, from computerized records to microfilm to books, from censuses to probate records to correspondence indices.
3. Geographical Access
Although the Internet is a good resource for many records, some records have yet to be entered into computers. Obtaining these records often includes sending letters and money to archives offices thousands of miles away. When choosing a professional genealogy research service, look for one that is located close to a large resource, like the National Archives, or the Family History Library, each home to millions of documents.
2. Accuracy
If you’ve been involved in genealogy long enough, you’ve received conflicting information. Perhaps an interview with your mother put your great-grandmother’s birthday in June but the official record has it in February. Or maybe your documents themselves disagree. How can you tell which source is right? Or perhaps your great-grandfather is John Smith and all you know is that he died in 1955. How can you find the right John Smith?
Trained genealogical researchers have already learned the ins and outs of analyzing conflicting sources and accurately identifying individuals in records. Based on their training and experience, they can judge which date is more likely to be accurate or which John Smith is your ancestor. It takes years of genealogical experience to assess source material, especially from documents that can’t give a clear answer. Professional genealogists have the experience necessary to ensure accuracy in their work.
1. Qualified Access
Many resources are highly sensitive or have restricted access. Most archives have stringent rules for using their resources, including who may access what, how to access materials, what researchers can bring with them, and more. Certified genealogists are familiar with these restrictions and have experience handling documents and researching in these settings. Additionally, in those archives that limit access, professional genealogists are often granted access that other researchers might not be able to get.
About The Author
The descendant of several avid genealogists, Jordan McCollum works for 10x Marketing, an (http://www.10xmarketing.com) Internet marketing firm. For more information on (http://www.heirlines.com/info/Professional-Genealogy-Research.html) professional genealogy research, turn to (http://www.heirlines.com) Heirlines Family History & Genealogy.
5. Speed
Professional genealogy research offers you the advantage of speed. Using certified and trained genealogists to conduct your research allows you to take advantage of their years of previous experience. Certified genealogists can apply their previous researching experience to increase their efficiency as they conduct your search. Let their speed and efficiency work for you.
4. Training
(http://www.heirlines.com/info/Accredited-Genealogist.html) Trained genealogists know where to begin and where to look to find the best and most pertinent information, instead of sifting through countless census, (http://www.heirlines.com/info/Probate-Record.html) probate or other records in a fruitless search. Years of training and experience mean that your professional genealogy researcher will know where to look, how to look and what to look for. Family history research requires a knowledge of many different types of resources, from computerized records to microfilm to books, from censuses to probate records to correspondence indices.
3. Geographical Access
Although the Internet is a good resource for many records, some records have yet to be entered into computers. Obtaining these records often includes sending letters and money to archives offices thousands of miles away. When choosing a professional genealogy research service, look for one that is located close to a large resource, like the National Archives, or the Family History Library, each home to millions of documents.
2. Accuracy
If you’ve been involved in genealogy long enough, you’ve received conflicting information. Perhaps an interview with your mother put your great-grandmother’s birthday in June but the official record has it in February. Or maybe your documents themselves disagree. How can you tell which source is right? Or perhaps your great-grandfather is John Smith and all you know is that he died in 1955. How can you find the right John Smith?
Trained genealogical researchers have already learned the ins and outs of analyzing conflicting sources and accurately identifying individuals in records. Based on their training and experience, they can judge which date is more likely to be accurate or which John Smith is your ancestor. It takes years of genealogical experience to assess source material, especially from documents that can’t give a clear answer. Professional genealogists have the experience necessary to ensure accuracy in their work.
1. Qualified Access
Many resources are highly sensitive or have restricted access. Most archives have stringent rules for using their resources, including who may access what, how to access materials, what researchers can bring with them, and more. Certified genealogists are familiar with these restrictions and have experience handling documents and researching in these settings. Additionally, in those archives that limit access, professional genealogists are often granted access that other researchers might not be able to get.
About The Author
The descendant of several avid genealogists, Jordan McCollum works for 10x Marketing, an (http://www.10xmarketing.com) Internet marketing firm. For more information on (http://www.heirlines.com/info/Professional-Genealogy-Research.html) professional genealogy research, turn to (http://www.heirlines.com) Heirlines Family History & Genealogy.
Sunday 3 April 2011
Your Irish Family - Did They Leave a Legacy Like These Irish Emigrants?
Irish Diaspora
If there is any story which appropriately conveys and encapsulates the irrepressible spirit and outstanding qualities of the Irish Diaspora it is the following tale of the fate of the Young Irelanders and their rebellion of 1848. The nine men in question were John Mitchell, Morris Lyene, Pat Donahue, Thomas McGee, Charles Duffy, Thomas Meagher, Richard O'Gorman, Terrence McManus and Michael Ireland.
They were charged with treason for their part in the rebellion, an offence punishable by death. Pleading their case before magistrates Thomas Meagher was ultimately, true to his word
"My Lord, this is our first offence but not our last. If you will be easy with us this once, we promise, on our word as gentlemen, to try better next time -- sure we won't be fools, and get caught."
The presiding Judge sentenced the nine men to be hung, drawn and quartered. Subsequently Queen Victoria commuted the sentence to exile on account of widespread public and political pressures. The men were shipped to Australia and to the work camps on the inhospitable terrain of Van Diemen's Land, modern day Tasmania.
Prime Minister of Australia
Over a quarter of a century later in 1874, Queen Victoria learned that one Sir Charles Duffy, the elected Prime Minister of Australia, was in fact the very same man whom she had exiled twenty five years previously. Upon further examination of the records of the men convicted alongside Duffy, it was established that his was not the only startling biography.
Governor of Montana
Thomas Francis Meagher had become Governor of the State of Montana, United States of America. Patrick Donahue and Terrence McManus were both Brigadier Generals in the United States Army. Richard O'Gorman had become Governor General of Newfoundland.
Attorney General of Australia
Morris Lyene was now the Attorney General of Australia. Thomas D'Arcy McGee was a Member of Parliament, Montreal, Minister of Agriculture and President of Council Dominion of Canada.
Mayor of New York
John Mitchell had become an important New York Politician and was the Father of John P. Mitchell, Mayor of New York.
This remarkable story has become part of the United States Congressional Record in Washington, D.C. and is held as a fine example of the excellence of the Irish in exile and it is also a reminder of the importance of what is termed today as' personal history' and the fact that this can, in the fullness of time, become history itself.
If there is any story which appropriately conveys and encapsulates the irrepressible spirit and outstanding qualities of the Irish Diaspora it is the following tale of the fate of the Young Irelanders and their rebellion of 1848. The nine men in question were John Mitchell, Morris Lyene, Pat Donahue, Thomas McGee, Charles Duffy, Thomas Meagher, Richard O'Gorman, Terrence McManus and Michael Ireland.
They were charged with treason for their part in the rebellion, an offence punishable by death. Pleading their case before magistrates Thomas Meagher was ultimately, true to his word
"My Lord, this is our first offence but not our last. If you will be easy with us this once, we promise, on our word as gentlemen, to try better next time -- sure we won't be fools, and get caught."
The presiding Judge sentenced the nine men to be hung, drawn and quartered. Subsequently Queen Victoria commuted the sentence to exile on account of widespread public and political pressures. The men were shipped to Australia and to the work camps on the inhospitable terrain of Van Diemen's Land, modern day Tasmania.
Prime Minister of Australia
Over a quarter of a century later in 1874, Queen Victoria learned that one Sir Charles Duffy, the elected Prime Minister of Australia, was in fact the very same man whom she had exiled twenty five years previously. Upon further examination of the records of the men convicted alongside Duffy, it was established that his was not the only startling biography.
Governor of Montana
Thomas Francis Meagher had become Governor of the State of Montana, United States of America. Patrick Donahue and Terrence McManus were both Brigadier Generals in the United States Army. Richard O'Gorman had become Governor General of Newfoundland.
Attorney General of Australia
Morris Lyene was now the Attorney General of Australia. Thomas D'Arcy McGee was a Member of Parliament, Montreal, Minister of Agriculture and President of Council Dominion of Canada.
Mayor of New York
John Mitchell had become an important New York Politician and was the Father of John P. Mitchell, Mayor of New York.
This remarkable story has become part of the United States Congressional Record in Washington, D.C. and is held as a fine example of the excellence of the Irish in exile and it is also a reminder of the importance of what is termed today as' personal history' and the fact that this can, in the fullness of time, become history itself.
To learn more about your Irish Family http://www.Irish-Family-Genealogy.com visit http://www.Irish-Family-Genealogy.com and discover many resources, tips and books which will help you trace your Irish family.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Gorry
Thursday 31 March 2011
Using Death Records For Family Trees
| You may not be all that interested in history. Who cares about relatives who lived 100 years before you? Does it really matter when your great-great-great-grandmother was born? In reality, family genealogy is about more than birth dates and death dates, of course. You can learn about your genetic markers for certain diseases or disorders, which can clue you in on tests that you may need to get sooner than later. Some families have a long history of cancer, so finding out this information through death records of the family can prompt many to get tested for cancer early, thus living long, healthy, cancer-free lives after all. The death certificate will tell you many things about a person. It will list the full name of the deceased, the date the death occurred, the address at which the death took place, the age of the deceased and, most importantly, the cause of death. You'll also learn the name, address and relationship of the person who reported the death and the maiden name of a widow left behind. Once you have the death certificate number, you will be able to find the microfilm records associated with that death, which can provide other family history research information. Some death certificates will even list the parent's names, the number of children left behind, the former residence, the physician, contributing causes of death and the place/date of burial. Not all this information will be on every certificate, as it depends when the death was filed. Death records are often found at local libraries. If you know the year of death and the death certificate number, you can usually look up death certificates, death notices and death obituaries on the library's microfilm machine. The death certificate will tell you the cause of death. The death notice will tell you surviving kin, funeral information and the place of burial. An obituary may tell you narrative, biographical data about the deceased too. These services are usually free if you have a library card, although printing charges and official copy charges will apply if you require them for your family history book. The most obvious of the death records is the death certificate. However, you can also look up information from local cemeteries, church records to find out where the funeral was held, probate records to let you know about inheritances given, obituaries, newspaper articles, military records, court records and land/property records for added information on your family history genealogy. Understanding your family's past can help you see where you fit into the historical fabric of society and can inspire your family for generations to come. |
| Author Resource:- Discover more information about the family history books from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our family tree maker software blog. |
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Free Genealogy Databases: Researching Your Family Tree Easily
There are free genealogy databases on the Internet, and their history is almost as interesting as the history you will find when creating your family tree or writing your genealogy. These databases are there for anybody to access, and you will find that they contain the names of people in families from many, many years ago.
Why They Exist
They have been created for several reasons. One of them obviously, is to help people to trace their roots. When you are trying to build your family tree, you will find a lot of information that you need in them.
The other reason they exist is that they are records - of people who lived and their families and they can be used in various ways by organizations. Most important are organizations that try to reunite people who have been separated from each other through wars or migration. After the 2nd world war especially, a lot of families that had been torn apart were re-united through these databases.
Scientific Resources
They are also a major scientific resource when it comes to studying genealogy. There are, for example, killer diseases that seem to afflict a small number of people, and looking through these free genealogical databases, you might find that these people are genetically connected.
How they started
How did these databases come about? The initial records of family histories were kept by the Church of Latter Day Saints. The church of the Mormons, through an old tradition, required that records be kept of anyone who underwent saving rites in the church - marriage, baptism, death and so on. Because it was an open church and it welcomed so many people, the records grew and grew.
Eventually, when the internet came along, the church sponsored a project to get these records online, and they opened them up to everyone.
The best databases
There are a few main ones that are thought to have the most extensive records:
rootsweb.ancestry.com
Though it focuses mainly on families from the US and Europe, this free genealogical database contains extensive information. There are records of births, deaths, marriages, baptisms, divorces and they have extended to include government voter records. It has been instrumental in reuniting people who were separated by the 2 world wars, and to date, many social organizations that reunite people continue to use it as well as update it with new data.
genealinks.com
This one focuses on marriages. All you need to have is the name and location of the person you are searching for and it will bring up that person and whom they were married to and the rest of the details that are in the database about that person. It is vast, with about 30,000 recorded marriages for the US alone. It's the most unique because behind the scenes, it questions other smaller databases and gives you back a lot more information.
familysearch.org
This is a project of the Church of Latter Day Saints. It's preferred because of its ease of use; beginners can get data from it quite easily. All they need are the names of the person they are looking for and the event for which you are searching, say a birth or a death. This means that you can use it to track relatives from really far back. It would be instrumental in building the top-tier of a family tree. The other reason this database is preferred is that it includes minorities - you can use it to trace Jews, Hispanics and African-Americans.
olivetreegenealogy.com
This database is somehow different in that it focuses on people from all countries who have special circumstances. It has records of displaced persons, orphans, victims of war and missing persons. These are not easy to find in other free genealogical databases. It's also easy to question as it doesn't require much detail - all it needs is the names of the person. If you are looking for someone who has been missing for a long time, this would be the place to start.
These databases are available for you to use and should help you access quite a deal of information to get started on your family tree project. They help you research your family history easily and conveniently. Do make sure that you know what is required in order to question each of them. Some need a name, others a name and date of birth and so on. Be prepared with whatever information you already have so that you can search these free genealogy databases efficiently and extensively.
Why They Exist
They have been created for several reasons. One of them obviously, is to help people to trace their roots. When you are trying to build your family tree, you will find a lot of information that you need in them.
The other reason they exist is that they are records - of people who lived and their families and they can be used in various ways by organizations. Most important are organizations that try to reunite people who have been separated from each other through wars or migration. After the 2nd world war especially, a lot of families that had been torn apart were re-united through these databases.
Scientific Resources
They are also a major scientific resource when it comes to studying genealogy. There are, for example, killer diseases that seem to afflict a small number of people, and looking through these free genealogical databases, you might find that these people are genetically connected.
How they started
How did these databases come about? The initial records of family histories were kept by the Church of Latter Day Saints. The church of the Mormons, through an old tradition, required that records be kept of anyone who underwent saving rites in the church - marriage, baptism, death and so on. Because it was an open church and it welcomed so many people, the records grew and grew.
Eventually, when the internet came along, the church sponsored a project to get these records online, and they opened them up to everyone.
The best databases
There are a few main ones that are thought to have the most extensive records:
rootsweb.ancestry.com
Though it focuses mainly on families from the US and Europe, this free genealogical database contains extensive information. There are records of births, deaths, marriages, baptisms, divorces and they have extended to include government voter records. It has been instrumental in reuniting people who were separated by the 2 world wars, and to date, many social organizations that reunite people continue to use it as well as update it with new data.
genealinks.com
This one focuses on marriages. All you need to have is the name and location of the person you are searching for and it will bring up that person and whom they were married to and the rest of the details that are in the database about that person. It is vast, with about 30,000 recorded marriages for the US alone. It's the most unique because behind the scenes, it questions other smaller databases and gives you back a lot more information.
familysearch.org
This is a project of the Church of Latter Day Saints. It's preferred because of its ease of use; beginners can get data from it quite easily. All they need are the names of the person they are looking for and the event for which you are searching, say a birth or a death. This means that you can use it to track relatives from really far back. It would be instrumental in building the top-tier of a family tree. The other reason this database is preferred is that it includes minorities - you can use it to trace Jews, Hispanics and African-Americans.
olivetreegenealogy.com
This database is somehow different in that it focuses on people from all countries who have special circumstances. It has records of displaced persons, orphans, victims of war and missing persons. These are not easy to find in other free genealogical databases. It's also easy to question as it doesn't require much detail - all it needs is the names of the person. If you are looking for someone who has been missing for a long time, this would be the place to start.
These databases are available for you to use and should help you access quite a deal of information to get started on your family tree project. They help you research your family history easily and conveniently. Do make sure that you know what is required in order to question each of them. Some need a name, others a name and date of birth and so on. Be prepared with whatever information you already have so that you can search these free genealogy databases efficiently and extensively.
Margaret Ravenscroft has been a genealogist for over 20 years and has traced her family back to medieval times. If you have found this article helpful, visit Free Genealogy Databases to discover more. Click Here for your FREE Minicourse http://www.genealogyandfamilytrees.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Ravenscroft
Sunday 27 March 2011
BMD's - Births, Marriages & Deaths
The civil registration system for births, marriages and deaths was introduced in England on 1st July 1837, and copies of the registers from each district sent every three months to the GRO (General Register Office).The registers can be inspected by the public and copies of the certificates obtained. The genealogical information they include is valuable to family historians.
If you are searching for a BMD before 1837 you will need to consult the Parish Registers, which can go back as far as 1538. Parish priests recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in the parish registers, and copies (bishops transcripts) from many parish registers were sent to the bishops, or archdeacons. In England many of the the parish registers and bishops transcripts can be inspected at the County Records Office, I spent many hours trawling through microfilms at my local office in Northampton looking for my ancestors. Some registers remain with the incumbent at the parish church, though you can make an appointment to view them.
Entries in the parish register contain names of people, dates of baptism, marriage and burials, and the names of some relatives, in the case of a burial the wife of a man who was buried, and the names of the parents of baptised children. There may also be recorded the occupation and place of residence of people marrying, being buried or having children baptised. Some incumbents also made "notes" beside an entry so extreme care should be taken when you are transcribing information from the registers, that you note everything from the particular entry as something that may seem insignificant at the time may become very valuable to you as your research progresses.
If you are searching for a BMD before 1837 you will need to consult the Parish Registers, which can go back as far as 1538. Parish priests recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in the parish registers, and copies (bishops transcripts) from many parish registers were sent to the bishops, or archdeacons. In England many of the the parish registers and bishops transcripts can be inspected at the County Records Office, I spent many hours trawling through microfilms at my local office in Northampton looking for my ancestors. Some registers remain with the incumbent at the parish church, though you can make an appointment to view them.
Entries in the parish register contain names of people, dates of baptism, marriage and burials, and the names of some relatives, in the case of a burial the wife of a man who was buried, and the names of the parents of baptised children. There may also be recorded the occupation and place of residence of people marrying, being buried or having children baptised. Some incumbents also made "notes" beside an entry so extreme care should be taken when you are transcribing information from the registers, that you note everything from the particular entry as something that may seem insignificant at the time may become very valuable to you as your research progresses.
Friday 25 March 2011
The Internet & Genealogy
There are an ever increasing number of indexes, transcripts of source material, archive web sites, researchers own family tree's etc appearing on the internet, and it is a great asset to anyone researching their family history. It allows us to communicate with other researchers, and even websites that require payment usually work out cheaper if account is taken of savings on travel expense and time.
Some sites of note on the Internet are:
The IGI, short for International Genealogical Index, contains millions of world wide index entries of mainly births and marriages. They cover the period from the 16th century up to 1906, but do not include any living persons. A word of caution, as it is an index please check the original register in case an error has been made in transcript, also there may be additional valuable information in the original document. This site covers the IGI in detail
The PRO (Public Records Office) at Kew is another invaluable site, it has over 1,000,000,000 documents in the national archive that you can acess online, though nothing beats visiting the archive in person and handling the actual source documents, it seems to make the history come to life.
The SOG (Society of Genealogists) is my third recommendation, founded in 1911 it is Britain’s premier family history society. The Society maintains a splendid genealogical library and education centre in Clerkenwell in London.
The Society’s collections are particularly valuable for research before the start of civil registration of births marriages and deaths in 1837 but there is plenty for the beginner too, including the Free Family HIstory Access area where beginners can get a taste of some of the online sources that will help them start their research.
Some sites of note on the Internet are:
The IGI, short for International Genealogical Index, contains millions of world wide index entries of mainly births and marriages. They cover the period from the 16th century up to 1906, but do not include any living persons. A word of caution, as it is an index please check the original register in case an error has been made in transcript, also there may be additional valuable information in the original document. This site covers the IGI in detail
The PRO (Public Records Office) at Kew is another invaluable site, it has over 1,000,000,000 documents in the national archive that you can acess online, though nothing beats visiting the archive in person and handling the actual source documents, it seems to make the history come to life.
The SOG (Society of Genealogists) is my third recommendation, founded in 1911 it is Britain’s premier family history society. The Society maintains a splendid genealogical library and education centre in Clerkenwell in London.
The Society’s collections are particularly valuable for research before the start of civil registration of births marriages and deaths in 1837 but there is plenty for the beginner too, including the Free Family HIstory Access area where beginners can get a taste of some of the online sources that will help them start their research.
Tuesday 22 March 2011
How to Get Relatives to Contribute to Your Family History
Here are a few of the many reasons to recruit relatives - and often family friends - to help you with your family history:
- Their contributions will make your family history much richer and more interesting to readers
- The individual personalities of your ancestors will come through in the stories and remembrances of contributors
- Family members have treasures, photos of deceased family members and old documents, and especially photos of family heirlooms and hand-me-downs - some you may not even know exist
- Contributors will add comments to what you produce - again adding interest and richness to your family history
- When a person contributes, it will encourage others to contribute
- They will catch mistakes!
Of course, some relatives will be more interested and helpful than others - and some simply may be too busy. Therefore, don't be discouraged if at first, you do not get help from some people. But keep in contact with them and keep them informed because they may become interested at a later time.
It is likely that older relatives may be forthcoming - treat them well!
A good way to get a relative involved is to ask them about their memories of an individual -- biographical material should be a central component to any family history. Experience shows that biographical material is usually the most viewed material in a family history. Some people are likely to tell you memories faster than you can record them! Encourage them to write memories in their own words; some will, some won't, so be flexible - you may be able to encourage them if you say you will edit anything they write.
Example: I asked my sister to tell the story about when our mother attempted to teach her how to kill a chicken on the farm (preparatory to fried or roast chicken eating) - an excerpt:
"When I was thirteen or fourteen, Mom decided that I should learn how to kill chickens (a necessity of life according to her or maybe a passage into womanhood)... She got the chicken out of the coop, laid it on its side, put her right foot of the feet of the chicken, stretched out the neck, and in a very matter of fact way cut off its head. The body of the chicken would flop all over the place."
Now that adds interesting color to a family history!
When a person gives you a contribution, not only should say, "Thanks", but you should also tell all possible contributors about it - knowing about specific contributions will encourage more contributions.
Give relatives a document outlining possible contributions. This serves a double purpose because it will also be a checklist for material that you will include in your family history. Here is a starter list:
- Remembrances and "stories" about an ancestor - idiosyncrasies, uniqueness
- Old photos - ancestors, family reunions, pets, homes, etc.
- Digital photos of hand-me-downs, artifacts, documents, etc.
- Private correspondence, e.g., old letters for a digital scan image
- Wedding licenses and old legal documents
- Military documents and photos
- Obituaries, newspaper articles, other published material
- Memories of what was different "back then"
- Their contributions will make your family history much richer and more interesting to readers
- The individual personalities of your ancestors will come through in the stories and remembrances of contributors
- Family members have treasures, photos of deceased family members and old documents, and especially photos of family heirlooms and hand-me-downs - some you may not even know exist
- Contributors will add comments to what you produce - again adding interest and richness to your family history
- When a person contributes, it will encourage others to contribute
- They will catch mistakes!
Of course, some relatives will be more interested and helpful than others - and some simply may be too busy. Therefore, don't be discouraged if at first, you do not get help from some people. But keep in contact with them and keep them informed because they may become interested at a later time.
It is likely that older relatives may be forthcoming - treat them well!
A good way to get a relative involved is to ask them about their memories of an individual -- biographical material should be a central component to any family history. Experience shows that biographical material is usually the most viewed material in a family history. Some people are likely to tell you memories faster than you can record them! Encourage them to write memories in their own words; some will, some won't, so be flexible - you may be able to encourage them if you say you will edit anything they write.
Example: I asked my sister to tell the story about when our mother attempted to teach her how to kill a chicken on the farm (preparatory to fried or roast chicken eating) - an excerpt:
"When I was thirteen or fourteen, Mom decided that I should learn how to kill chickens (a necessity of life according to her or maybe a passage into womanhood)... She got the chicken out of the coop, laid it on its side, put her right foot of the feet of the chicken, stretched out the neck, and in a very matter of fact way cut off its head. The body of the chicken would flop all over the place."
Now that adds interesting color to a family history!
When a person gives you a contribution, not only should say, "Thanks", but you should also tell all possible contributors about it - knowing about specific contributions will encourage more contributions.
Give relatives a document outlining possible contributions. This serves a double purpose because it will also be a checklist for material that you will include in your family history. Here is a starter list:
- Remembrances and "stories" about an ancestor - idiosyncrasies, uniqueness
- Old photos - ancestors, family reunions, pets, homes, etc.
- Digital photos of hand-me-downs, artifacts, documents, etc.
- Private correspondence, e.g., old letters for a digital scan image
- Wedding licenses and old legal documents
- Military documents and photos
- Obituaries, newspaper articles, other published material
- Memories of what was different "back then"
My name is Dale Garden and I help people learn to write their own online family histories. I provide learning resources for people to learn to do family trees, to edit and manage photos and to learn blogging as the best way to write and publish online family histories. And when justified, I offer personal one-on-one assistance.
All about writing online family histories: http://dgaweb.com
Subscribe to my ongoing blog about writing online family histories: http://familyhistoryblogging.wordpress.com/
All about writing online family histories: http://dgaweb.com
Subscribe to my ongoing blog about writing online family histories: http://familyhistoryblogging.wordpress.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Garden
Monday 21 March 2011
English Occupations: Finding More About Your Ancestor
Whilst rooting around in your family history, you will learn what your ancestors did for a living - at least as far back to the early 1800s. This is often one of the most fascinating aspects of discovering who your ancestors were. Whether they were a lowly agricultural labourer, or a highly respected surgeon or magistrate, the curious and wide range of English occupations can lead you to further knowledge of how they lived their lives on a day to day basis. For some people it can be exciting to discover that a creative gene, such as writing or painting has made its way down to the present.
Much of this information can be found on the census, at least back to 1841, and sometimes beyond depending on the availability of records. Some earlier parish records did mention a man's occupation, and other records, such as directories, wills, property deeds and tax records can also give occupational details.
Many of you will have come across occupations that are now obsolete, and will often need further explanation. What, for example, is a night soil man? Or a calenderer? Or a fag ender?
The first of these might have been found in any large town or city, emptying dry toilets in the days before plumbing. Not a job I would like to imagine any of my ancestors doing - but fascinating nonetheless.
The other two are connected to the textile industry, and will usually be found in those industrial areas where cotton was being produced - for example, Manchester. A calenderer was just a generic term for a textile industry worker. A fag ender was someone employed to trim off loose bits of cloth known as fags.
If you trawl through the census records for specific areas, you will of course find a wealth of occupations connected to that area's industry. Sticking with Manchester for the moment, you will find many jobs associated with the cotton industry, and among the weavers, winders, packers and piecers you might also come across Fustian cutters (cloth workers who trim corded cloth), beamers (people who handle materials before weaving), billiers, billy roller operations or billymen (all terms for cotton spinners) or even an impleachers (cloth weavers).
When you find that an ancestor's origins are in a particular area, it is worth while finding out about the major industries there, because this will no doubt have had some effect on your ancestor's life, even if he (or she) was not directly involved in it.
For example, shoemakers are known everywhere - but a shoemaker working in Manchester would probably have had a different experience to a shoemaker who worked in a more rural area, or on the coast. Is he making shoes for factory workers, agricultural labourers, fishermen or for the well-to-do?
If your ancestor moved around, it was very likely it was to find work. Undertaking a bit of historical research on the local industries can give you a good indication of why your ancestor moved from one town to another. My own great-great grandfather started out as a bricklayer in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and moved to Birmingham where he became a builder and employer. You only need to find out about the building boom going on in Birmingham in the mid-19th century to work out why he made the choice to move!
Some occupations can lead you to finding further documentation. For example, workers in skilled trades may well have started out as an apprentice, and you may find the apprenticeship records at the local record office. These can give you further details about his origins and parentage.
If your ancestor worked for a big company, it may be worth finding out whether there are staff records in existence. If the company still exists, they may even keep their own set of archives.
Not only are occupations interesting in themselves - they can lead you to find out further information, whether it is more family records, or information about how your ancestor lived, and under what conditions. Much information about trades and occupations can be found on the internet, and there are many books about various trades and industries. The Society of Genealogists publishes a range of books entitled "My Ancestor was...."
Old English occupations are varied and wide-ranging, and they can tell you much about your ancestor. Make sure you always follow up this line of enquiry and find out as much as possible about what he (or she) did for a living.
Much of this information can be found on the census, at least back to 1841, and sometimes beyond depending on the availability of records. Some earlier parish records did mention a man's occupation, and other records, such as directories, wills, property deeds and tax records can also give occupational details.
Many of you will have come across occupations that are now obsolete, and will often need further explanation. What, for example, is a night soil man? Or a calenderer? Or a fag ender?
The first of these might have been found in any large town or city, emptying dry toilets in the days before plumbing. Not a job I would like to imagine any of my ancestors doing - but fascinating nonetheless.
The other two are connected to the textile industry, and will usually be found in those industrial areas where cotton was being produced - for example, Manchester. A calenderer was just a generic term for a textile industry worker. A fag ender was someone employed to trim off loose bits of cloth known as fags.
If you trawl through the census records for specific areas, you will of course find a wealth of occupations connected to that area's industry. Sticking with Manchester for the moment, you will find many jobs associated with the cotton industry, and among the weavers, winders, packers and piecers you might also come across Fustian cutters (cloth workers who trim corded cloth), beamers (people who handle materials before weaving), billiers, billy roller operations or billymen (all terms for cotton spinners) or even an impleachers (cloth weavers).
When you find that an ancestor's origins are in a particular area, it is worth while finding out about the major industries there, because this will no doubt have had some effect on your ancestor's life, even if he (or she) was not directly involved in it.
For example, shoemakers are known everywhere - but a shoemaker working in Manchester would probably have had a different experience to a shoemaker who worked in a more rural area, or on the coast. Is he making shoes for factory workers, agricultural labourers, fishermen or for the well-to-do?
If your ancestor moved around, it was very likely it was to find work. Undertaking a bit of historical research on the local industries can give you a good indication of why your ancestor moved from one town to another. My own great-great grandfather started out as a bricklayer in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and moved to Birmingham where he became a builder and employer. You only need to find out about the building boom going on in Birmingham in the mid-19th century to work out why he made the choice to move!
Some occupations can lead you to finding further documentation. For example, workers in skilled trades may well have started out as an apprentice, and you may find the apprenticeship records at the local record office. These can give you further details about his origins and parentage.
If your ancestor worked for a big company, it may be worth finding out whether there are staff records in existence. If the company still exists, they may even keep their own set of archives.
Not only are occupations interesting in themselves - they can lead you to find out further information, whether it is more family records, or information about how your ancestor lived, and under what conditions. Much information about trades and occupations can be found on the internet, and there are many books about various trades and industries. The Society of Genealogists publishes a range of books entitled "My Ancestor was...."
Old English occupations are varied and wide-ranging, and they can tell you much about your ancestor. Make sure you always follow up this line of enquiry and find out as much as possible about what he (or she) did for a living.
Ros is a professional genealogist and runs a UK ancestry tracing service for UK and international researchers who need help with their UK ancestry. Ros offers a one-stop-shop tracing service for all UK ancestors, or record look-ups in Warwickshire and Birmingham. Find out more at Tracing Your Ancestors
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