Find Ancestors

Sarah Regarding the ~ thing. On my puter you go into 'insert' then click 'special character'. Hope this helps Jeanette

Thanks again to all the people who have sent me witness details. I will add these to the initial data base BUT NO MORE PLEASE. A new website is on the way, where people can enter their own details, and then search properly using different topics. This should make all the information available quicker, as you all won't have to wait for me to type them in! Hurrah for technology! Thanks again

i am going to e mail you some details from some of the certs i have

Hi George, I sent you an e-mail I can't give you the Vol and Page no's as I don't have them. sue

Giving this a nudge, George, & promise to send off the info I have from about 7 marriage certs. Good luck . Steph

Hi, Any suggestions as to how I get the little squiggle before phy, in the website address. Hubbys changed the keyboard and I can't find it anywhere, I'm sure theres a way of getting a "list" of symbols to select. Thanks. Sarah

Tnere are many reasons for looking at the marriage witnesses. Witnesses are often related to either the bride or groom. This gives further evidence to family groups, especially for any pre 1837 if they are listed then, and also if the witness's relation is known by other evidence then its a good indication that they are still alive!! Its a good indication that anyone was still around really. Some people have also mentioned that those in Durham who were witnesses than got married themselves. Finally as George (Sales) says, its a good way to see where your ancestors moved around, and the geographical spread of a particular surname other the years.

Having a witness list may help people find lost ancestors, for example if someone has an ancestor Tom Skirby who lived most of his life in Whitby then suddenly vanishes from local records. That genealogist might look at the witness and see that a Tom Skirby witnessed a marriage in Hull. That genealogist would have a great new lead. See what I mean George

I'm with Patricia on this - why do you need a list of witnesses? Jan.

I agree too. Well done Georgina Regards Margaret

Yes, I agree Vanda

By the way , a nice man at genuki pointed me to these two places: 1. http://members(.)optushome(.)com(.)au/guthrigg/mwi(.)htm this is a searchable database of marriage witnesses that you can e-mail a name at a time to search for. There are also county lists such as (northumbria): 2. ftp://ftp(.)cac(.)psu(.)edu/pub/genealogy/text/data/ukwitnbl(.)zip I still think it wpould be nice to have one where we could enter our own data and search online staraightawy. What do people think? Opinions please! george

Great idea George. I'm watching this space and will send in details when the site is ready. Good luck Kathy Epsom, SRY

UPDATE: My clever bloke has volunteered to help me set up a better version of this website, where you can input your own details and then do searches. Anyone who has sent me details - I will use these as a base - but I suggest no more e-mails until things are sorted. Watch this Space! George

Nudge

AFTER 1950's! - will list any info before. Will list pre compulsory registartion stuff as long as some reference is given, and if possible, a registration district?index stuff Doesn't inspire much confidence in me does it! ;) May not get to update til monday now, unless useful housemate does connecting thing for me to workmachine. But please keep sending in lists - I have a special e-mail folder ready to store them!

hoping you mean before 1950's ~as thats all I have! :-)

Georgina, do you mean no marriages AFTER 1950, for privacy reasons? I have a couple I can send you for the 1800's. Margaret

nudge

Thanks for the replies. But ought to say, maybe no marriages before 1950 as should keep peoples lives relatively private!