Genealogy Chat

From reading some of the other hints and tips on this message board I understand that the best way to trace your family tree, is to work backwards (i.e. if you get your parents' birth certificate, it will tell you who their parents are etc). 1st question - Is this the best way to trace your family tree (I haven't really got a clue where to start)? 2nd Question - All of the birth certificates that I have ever come across have never mentioned who tha parents are. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance Claire

Have you been looking at the short form of birth certificate? You need the full one, which will show, mother and father if he agrees, which is why lots of adopted children find their birth certificate has a blank where the father's name should be.

Hi Claire, The birth certs with no details on are called short certificates. Full certificates are also available (but they aren't free on registration which is why some people don't have them) which give mother's name and maiden name, address, father and his occupation if known. It is using this that you can then locate the marriage (assuming there was one!). Marriage certs give the ages of bride and groom, their fathers' names and occupations which can then lead back to the next birth cert etc. Janice

Look for the threads offering advice for 'newbies'!!!

No - I didn't know there was a full version of the certificate. I have just been looking at the normal ones that you normally get issued with. How do you go about getting the full information?

Look in the indexes on Ancestry to get the reference number then order them from the GRO in Southport, or if you live in London, the Family Records Centre.

I have tried searching for threads giving help to newbies, but can't find any simple information (like an idiots guide), which I think my poor little brain would find more useful!!

This is where to go for the indexes - replace the stars with fullstops: http://www*ancestry*co*uk/search/rectype/vital/freebmd/bmd*aspx

Always, always start from a known fact. It is easier for less common names but supposing your mother was Mary SMITH, she might think she was born in one town but in reality moved there as a young child.It would be hard to find her birth registration. The starting point unless you are really sure of your grandparents names, would be your parent's marriage certificate naming the fathers and you then start seeking the couple's birth certificates with the checking point being the father's name, ( which you already found on the marriage cert.) Gwyn

This is where to go for ordering certs online. http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

Marriage certs have also a major roll in finding your ancesters, Look to your relations, ask what they know about your grandparents their parents, you have to handle a lot of the stories a bit tung in cheek as they get twisted over the course of years, if you can get back as far as the 1800s then the rest is research mainly on the net(ancesters(.)com) until the 1700s when it will be necessary to visit a lot of register offices to get parish records. Put up questions about your family on the tips boards and finding board there may be other people looking for the same families you are. Rod

Hi Claire, Working backwards from you, what events/dates/names do you definitely know? Janice

Claire First of all.... NO question is stupid, it would only be stupid if you didn't ask the question to get the answer to the problem :) So from your responses is it safe to assume you have the 'short' form of birth certificates for your parents? My Mum's was also the 'short' form and although I knew for sure who were her Mum and her Dad...I lived with my Mum and Dad and Maternal Grandparents until I was 7... I bought her full one from the GRO just to make doubely sure :) This confirmed her Father's name and Occupation and her Mother's maiden name. It also gave her place of birth. So in answer to your question...If you have nothing more than short certificates and no family to ask for further information... Then you do need to buy 'full' certificates. If you need help in finding out how to do that then just ask....There are many people on here more than willing to help point you in the right direction. Chris

Hi Claire I hope this doesn't seem a rude question, because it's not meant to be, I'm simply curious! How did you manage to get over 400 people in your tree without ever ordering a certificate?! Mandy :)

Mandy Claire might have a large family. My mum had 10 brothers and sisters who lived until the last 10 years so I knew them all, plus their husbands/wives, their children (my cousins), my cousins children etc. Same on my dad's side of the family, but there were only 6 of them. My mum has a list of all their birthdays and the years, because she used to send birthday cards to them all! Liz

No I don't think you're rude!! I knew somebody was going to ask me that one!! The majority of the names in my tree have come from distant relations, who I have found through this site, and who have already done a great deal of research. The majority of these names come from my grandfathers side of the family and I would like to research my grandmothers side of the family (that is without even considering my mum's side of the family!!!). As a newbie, I didn't have a clue where to start and with many thanks to this site, I am now starting to find my way!! Claire

Hi Claire I'm just jealous lol! No seriously, that's one thing I like about this site, all the people I've contacted have given me info and then of course I've given them info in exchange. You are just so lucky to have got off to such a good start! There are loads of people willing to help, and don't ever think that you're asking a silly question, because we all had to start somewhere. Good luck! Mandy :)