Genealogy Chat

Alison

Sorry, but you will not be able to view the actual certificates. The only way to see them is, unfortunately, to buy them. (They make good birthday/Christmas presents.)

Records offices are useful as they usually have copies of church registers, so are good for BMDs before 1837. They are particularly good for contemporary newspapers, out-of-print books about local people etc.

As K says, the staff are extremely helpful and very knowledgable - one example:- my grandfather was a prominent local citizen, with a front page obit. when he died. Family rumour was that he had been given the Freedom of the Borough, so I asked about this at the library. The staff produced a booklet with the names of all recipients of this honour, and squashed that story once and for all!!

Enjoy your day out.

HI K in the desert
I am now trying to work a child free day to go to the Durham records office!
I will look back over the boards as you suggested but can I assume that you can see everything if you go? I have so many BMD certificates that I want to see but can't afford to pay to have them ordered on line, will I be able to see that information and write down the details?
Alison

Hi Alison,

A visit to a County Records Office is a real eye opener. The first time I went I thought it was a case of looking through Parish records and that would be about it. Not so!!!! Be prepared to spend a week there :-D
From my experience I've found Records Office staff to be extremely helpful (I have visited 3 CRO's) and happy to point you in the right direction for your searches and to answer your questions.

When you do decide to take the plunge and go, look back on these boards first - there's a thread somewhere, its title is along the lines of Visiting your Records Office.
It has some really useful info (written by GR members who have been) and it is well worth a read so you know what you could hope to find in the way of records as well as the practical stuff, ie remembering to take notebook & pencil, what to do about lunch, having small change for a locker, ete etc.
If you are unable to get to the records office yourself, you could ask about their Search Service, but it is likely to cost a bit!!

K

P.S. Forgot to add one more to the list I gave previously - don't forget to look for your children in Apprentices/Apprenticeship records (at the CRO).

Hi K in the desert
I think that I have been a bit blinkered and seen family research as something in sepia! I didn't think of all this contemporary information so thank you, I have just had a good look at the County Records Office and have contacted them.
Alison

The County Records Office should hold some school records, which could include any of the following - Admission and Attendance Registers, School Board Reports, Education Committee and sub-Committee Minutes. Oh, and the school Log Books. These are a real gem if you are lucky enough to find one. Some of these documents might still be closed to public inspection, I'm not sure of the closure rule.

K

Thank you Mr Magoo, this looks good
Alison

THis might be of help Alison.............

http://www.myhometown-schools.co.uk/thephoto.aspx?PhotoID=219

Good luck!

I found the Historical Directories site some time ago and have it in my favourites. It's amazing what snippets of info can be found, particularly if your ancestors were trades people.

Wow, the more Family history I do, the more I realise I don't know. i have found the list that you suggested Andysmum and I am about to settle down with a cup of tea and go through it. I wouldn't have found this on my own - thanks
Alison

There was a schools census taken in 1851 To see it go to

http://www.historicaldirectories.org/

then choose By Location, then Durham, then Kelly's Post Office Directory, 1858.

Then choose Browse Directory and enter 378 in the Image box.

I tried to copy it for you, but it wouldn't let me!! As you will see, there were lots of schools.

Thanks Reggie, I should have thought of that!

Try the Local Education Authority

Or google

I contacted them but haven't had a response yet

Have you got a local history society that probably knows a lot about the schools that existed in the area?

Hi. I have spent this week collating the census information (1841-1911) for 5 households around Newlandside quarry Stanhope. All the children of school age are scholars but try as I might I can't find any information about the schools they went to or how they were educated.
Please, does anyone know where I should go to find this out or has anyone got the details of education for lead miners children in this area.
Thanks