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Are Country Record Offices of any use...

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Richard

Richard Report 31 Jan 2007 20:19

...if you happen to live in a county which doesn't contain any of your family tree branches? I live in Devon, and none of my ancestors came from here, but I'm very close to a records office. Would there be anything there of use? Thanks Rich

KeithInFujairah

KeithInFujairah Report 31 Jan 2007 20:28

Hi Richard, Apart from most records offices holding the BMD index on fiche or film, a lot of offices hold some out of county records. Also, some have access to Ancestry and the census records online. If you phone them, they will probably be able to tell you what they do hold.

Richard

Richard Report 31 Jan 2007 20:42

OK, thanks. I live only about 10 minutes drive away so I'll pop in tomorrow, join up and have a look around. It might be useful just for the BMD index on fiche, especially if it's the 20th century one. It would save having to wait for pages to load on Ancestry. Thanks for the reply. Rich

Anne

Anne Report 31 Jan 2007 21:14

They will probably also have a copy of the Probate Calendars either on microfiche or on book form. With an idea of when your ancestors died the index will tell you if they left a will. On the way you also discover their date of death without having to buy a certificate! Anne

Richard

Richard Report 31 Jan 2007 21:58

Thanks for that Anne. I think there will probably be a surprising amount I can learn, even if none of my ancestors lived or were born in this county. Rich

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 31 Jan 2007 22:20

You could always try your nearest LDS Family History Centre (addresses are on www.familysearch.org). You can order parish records on microfilm from the area you are interested in for a couple of pounds. They keep the film for about a month to give you time to view. All the Centres hold different things but you would be surprised at just how much they can order in for you, and just how much they actually have. You can also use Ancestry on their computers. Kath. x