Genealogy Chat

I've just been doing a 'general' search on Ancestry. I have the name, approx. year of birth and approx. P.O.B. I think I found their entry for Birth and 1901 Census very quickly - after that nothing. After reading over 1000 entries I gave up. It's all so 'jumbled'. There doesn't seem to be any method. BMD's mixed in with Census - and as for those Phone Book entries.....!! I think Ancestry needs a Filing Clerk! M. Steer

If you do a general search it will be all muddled up - it's a nuisance. If you already have the 1901 census, choose what you want to find next - e.g. 1891 - and search just for that. You can narrow it down further by selecting a county - then the hits for that county will appear first. Other counties will also appear, but afterwards. You can do the same with the year of birth. A bit of a nuisance, but quicker in the long run.

When you have done search you click on the left hand side of Ancestry you can click on census then what census you want or click on more to show all census. for BMD click on birth marriage or death again on left hand side then click on either birth or Marriage or death then you only BMD on own with out census's Jeanette

Have no problem with choosing what I want, on Ancestry, but on BMD section I know I should be able to put Mothers maiden name (births) or spouses name (marriages) but can't find out how I did this. Any pointers please. No problems on Freebmd but it does not go far enough into 20 century. *sorry for hijacking your thread Margaret* T.O.R. ;o))

Elizabeth and Jeanette, I understand what you're saying, but I have very little info., on this person. He was born in 1896 - so only appears on 1901 Census. I know who he married (unfortunately a Smith) but not when or where. Again, I don't know exactly when he died, probably in late 1940's early 50's. I'm quite happy to do research but Ancestry don't seem to make it easy. I think they should 'tidy up' a bit. M. Steer

if you click on refine search at top when in BMD you can put maiden name partners name there,or go on BMD index go to search page and click on it there Jeanette

Margaret for later marriages and deaths you need to go on the index (go to search page and click down at the bottem,) if you start from 18 (incase married early) unless you know when 1st child born then go through each 1/4 might be a bit hard with Smith Jeanette

On the main page when the search box comes up make sure it has the Exact Matches Only box clicked (left hand side) Then when you get into which ever census year you want (or BMD) you can then click the soundex box. It's a lot easier than the massive list you get when that Exact box is not clicked. Sheila

I don't know what search method you are using, but I have absolutely no problem with Ancestry....everything is extremely well-presented, and in full alphabetical order....... If you are having problems finding the death you seek, perhaps you are looking at the wrong records...........you have to access the FULL bmd's, and search by viewing the images quarter by quarter, as you do on findmypast Reg

Thankyou all for your replies/tips. Unfortunately, though, I still can't progress with this person. I'll put them 'on the back burner' for another day. M. Steer