Genealogy Chat

I am looking for some pointers about what preparation to do in advance of a visit to a records office / archive.
My last attempt was a complete disaster...
On route I want to visit some of the villages / churches relevant to my ancestors.
I am trying to write down the briefest of trees in a notebook with the info that I already know about my ancestors from the area.
Is it better to be over-prepared and take certificates / copies of census returns - or is that going too far?

Thanks

I find I have often ended up spending far longer in the records office than I ever expect to - you could well end up spending a whole day in there and still need to go back!

One thing I do to save time is make a form with five or six columns on it for recording baptisms or marriages on, then head columns with "Bride's name", "Groom's name", "Bride's father", "Groom's father", "Witnesses", "marriage date" (or "Child's name", "parents", "birthdate", "baptism date" "address" and "godparents"). It saves a lot of time and writing once you're there.

I also find it's best to take anything you need with you in a plastic folder or wallet because they don't usually let you take bags etc into the search room.

If you have chance, it might be worth making a weekend of it - looking round cemeteries and graveyards can also take a lot of time and I always seem to need to go back again and again as I find out more details and identity more relatives.

Thanks Kate.
Luckily its only about an hours drive from where I live.
I know what you mean about cemeteries etc. a fair number of my ancestors are buried in the cemetery round the corner from my house, and I still need to keep going back - its too large to get round all at once. I have now taken to making notes / taking photos of names that are familiar - which paid off recently - had taken a photo of a gravestone of a relevant surname with ended up being my gg aunt!

Karen,

There was a helpful thread on this subject posted by Miss Marple "Tips for a first visit to a records office". You can find it via the Top Tips/Advanced search panel on the left of this screen.

Good luck,

Peter

Hi Peter,
I have just tried searching, and cant find the thread unfortunately.

nudged it for you

Sorry to sound thick but I can't find the Miss Marple thread. I've done various searches but it hasn't come up. Can anyone help me please.

Thanks

Fred

Thanks everyone, just found it, will bookmark and read now.

Christine

Many thanks for nudging. Got it now!!

Book marked for eternity.

Fred