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Searching for ancestors Pre 1755

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Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 26 Feb 2010 13:48

James

This is my 'crib sheet' that I use to identify which records may be available when researching a particular time frame.

Most record offices have an online catalogue you can use to see whether any particular records you are interested in, for their area, are available.

Deeds (from 11c)
Feet of Fines (from late 12c to early 19c)
Manor Court Rolls (from 13c)
Inquisition Post Mortem (from early 13c to early 17c)
Lay Subsidies (from early 13c to end of 17c)
Quarter Sessions (from mid/late 14c)
Probates (from mid/late 14c)
Chancery Proceedings (from late 14c to late 19c)
Visitations (from 16c to early 17c)
Apprentices and Freemen (from 16c)
School and University Registers (from 16c)
Marriage Licences (from 16c)
Parish Registers (from early/mid 16c)
Bishops Transcripts (from late 16c to mid/late 19c)
Non Conformist Records (from 17c)
Jewish Records (from 17c)
Quaker Records (from mid 17c)
Poor Law (from mid 17c to early/mid 19c)
Roman Catholic Records (from mid/late 17c)
Commercial Directories (from late 17c)
Monumental Inscriptions (from 18c)
Customs and Excise (from 18c)
Poll Books (from 18c)
Newspapers (from 18c)
Military Records (from early/mid 18c to early 20c) Missing records in late 18c
Naval Records (from early/mid 18c to early 20c) Missing records in late 18c
Civil Registration (from 1st July 1837)
Merchant Seaman Records (from mid 19c)
Early Census (1801 to 1831)
Census (from 1841)

Good luck
Chris

Researching:
Avatar...My darling Dad. 1931-2019 'Take nothing on its looks, take everything on evidence. There is no better rule' Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. 'A brickwall is a problem that you haven't solved yet' Dave Annal http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/brick-walls-and-lost-ancestors/

Mick in the Sticks

Mick in the Sticks Report 26 Feb 2010 13:44

Parish registers if they still exist go back much further in time. There was no standard format for a parish register and were sometimes written in latin. Information could be brief as well like a batism just with the date and remark something like John son of William and Mary.

If you are lucky the IGI index on the LDS site may have further information. The main problem that arises is when people moved into a town or village where they were not born. You may find details of the marriage but often there are no clues as to their origins or where to start looking.

I am back to the 1600's in some places and one has to be mindful of the English Civil War splitting familys apart.

Michael

James & Michaela

James & Michaela Report 26 Feb 2010 13:34

Hi everyone,

I have got back to 1755, of which I am very proud. But I was wondering where do I go from there as the records have run out! Where does everybody else look. Any help appreciated.

Cheers, James