Find Ancestors

A very important tip! At the end of the day family history research is meant to be fun :) This topic has not been written to put people off. The purpose of this topic is to help people get the most out of their lookup requests. Its not a list of rules, just suggestions at best. Please do not be offended by this topic.

Message originally submitted by Lyla - If you have a lengthy request, no matter how nicely you set it out it will still bunch up and look horrible when you post it. The best way round this is type a very simple note such as "See Below". Then you can reply to your own thread and set it out clearly. Hope this makes sense.

Message originally submitted by Richard Platell GC - LOST THREAD? If you "lose your thread", i.e. a thread that you either created or on which you have posted a request has dropped off the first few pages of the board, then click on the "view your threads only" link (located on the right towards the top of the board). The board will then show only the threads which you have created or to which you have added a message. Then, when you have found and opened the required thread, click on the "All Replies" link to see other people's subsequent messages on that thread. If you feel that your query hasn't been resolved, then "nudge" the thread as explained above. If you have received any responses (whether helpful or not!) , then add a short message to let others know that you've at least seen the response (this will also nudge the thread back up the board, serving 2 purposes at once!).

Census lookups Heres some tips for getting a response to your census query. 1) Make sure you put which census you want the lookup for in the subject bar, along with which area you're wanting the lookup in, e.g. 1891 census Leeds. Just putting 1861 census lookup often isn't enough to make people look. 2) Give the full name of the person(s) you're looking for. Also include (if you know it) the year they were born, where they born, their last known occupation, their last known address. Also make it clear where in the country you expect that person to be. 3) If you've found the person(s) in other census returns it can sometimes help to tell people about it. 4) Be reasonable in your request. Some names are more common that others and so even just giving the likely county they will be in isn't enough. If you can't give a lot of information, don't worry. Make it clear on your topic that you don't know any more that what you have already given. 5) Be patient. Few census returns are indexed either by name or address and so it can involve a lot of searching. 6) Always say thank you :) 7) The 1861 census is one of the least accessible as few indexes have been produced for it. Therefore it is the 1861 census requests that are the hardest to find info for.

How to nudge a topic Sometimes topics don't get answered because it was busy or because the person who can help you wasn't around when you posted it. If you feel your topic hasn't been answered, rather than post a new topic, you need to 'nudge' it to the top. Heres how Add a reply to your topic. Most people will send a message along the lines of 'nudge' or 'bump'. By adding a new message you have put your topic back at the top of the list again. Now go back to your topic and find your message which says 'nudge' or 'bump' or whatever it was you used. Click on the delete message option at the top of that message. On the next screen click the delete box underneath the box with your message in. You of course don't have to delete the message, but some people feel this makes the topic tidier. Why not test out this new found skill by bumping this topic up for others to read? :)

1) Decide what it is you need looking up. Its no good just posting a name and hoping for any old information. Do you want to find their death? their birth? their marriage? a specific census entry? 2)Check that someone hasn't already offered the lookup you're asking for. There are usually a few ancestry topics etc. and some people have access to specific census returns. Use the search box to look for topics. 3) Always make sure you put the area that your person is in in the title to your post, e.g. 1871 census Wakefield lookup! . A lot of researchers can only help with certain parts of the country and so look at those posts first. 4) Give as much information as you can about the person(s) you want us to look for. A name is not enough! 5)Let us know what you've already tried looking at, what you've found and discounted and anything that might stop us re-doing research you've already done. It means you get the answers you are looking for. 6) Above all, be patient :) Like all boards there are busy times and not so busy times. It may take a few hours or a day or two to get an answer, but most topics will be answered! If you're worried that your message hasn't been seen, read below to find out how to nudge your post so that its back at the top of the board. 7) Always say thank you :) People are more likely to be helpful and friendly again if you do.

This topic is intended as a helpful introduction to make sure you get the best results from your lookup requests. Please take the time to read it, all the way to the bottom as more stuff gets added. If you have any tips you'd like to add just add them. If you think theres something else I need to add advice on, let me know :) Please keep bumping this up for people to read! Thank you