Genealogy Chat

I started tracing my family last August and whilst I have lots of new relatives, I don't have much on my direct line. I'm originally from Dublin but now live in New Zealand and am planning to return for a holiday to Ireland this June. I want to go and see North Walsham where my family originated and also visit the surrounding villages. I have trawled through all the Norfolk websites, but have found nothing relevant to my family - like is there more than 1 graveyard in North Walsham? I'm looking for some tips on where and how to search. Are all the BMD records for Norfolk held in one place or does each parish have their own. I've only got 3-4 days so don't want to end up on the last day with nothing - thinking 'if only I'd known?'. Geraldine

Hi Geraldine I would suggest that you do as much research as possible online before you head off to the UK. I don't know where you're up to with your research, but you should be able to get back to c1837 just as easily from your own home as you could if you were over there. Use the census and bmd lists (eg on Ancestry), order the relevant certificates, etc. You might even be able to get back earlier than 1837 online, using websites such as familysearch and familyhistoryonline. As you do this, make a list of things to check whilst in England - parish registers, villages where your ancestors lived, etc etc. You'll find that the parish records are kept at county records offices - i.e. all the PR's for a particular county will (usually!) be in one place. Use Google to locate these records offices, and make sure that you check their opening times! Many are only open 3-4 days per week, and some require that you book in advance. Then plan your trip very carefully, prioritising what you want to check over there. You'll find that 4 days is nowhere near long enough though, I'm afraid! I spent 4 weeks in UK last year, and got through less than a quarter of my ''to-do'' list in that time... Cheers, Richard

I've found the official website for North Walsham, and here's the link. http://www.northwalsham-town(.)co(.)uk/link.htm (remove brackets) You've probably already seen this site, but at the top of the page there's an email link to the Town Clerk. Why not send an email to him/her and ask him/her the relevant questions. I'm sure they will be only too happy to oblige. Janet

If you are trying to find baptisms to fit with families recorded in Norfolk census, have a look at Norfolk baptism project (google for a link to the site) It is still in it's infancy, but I've found it really useful. Any particular parishes? - someone on here may know about possible sites for you. Jay

You should be able to place bmd for the post 1837 period using internet sources (Ancestry and freebmd for example). Realisticly do as much as you can via the internet before you make the trip, ultimately it will save following a wrong lead later on. Norfolk PR's are a bit thin on the ground online but some useful details can be found at the folowing sites; Try googling 'norfolk+transcriptions', that should give you a link to the genealogy.doun website. Listing both bishops transcripts and archdeacon transcripts the site (although incomplete) can be a useful source of information. Also try http://www.noah.norfolk.gov.uk/ (a sort of mini National Archives for Norfolk and linked to the Norfolk RecordS Office) The Norfolk records office will most likely be your best place to visit. The records for the county are stored there.Most can be accessed without prior notice but check in advance. Also consider joining the Norfolk Family History Society. Pre planning before you visit will allow you to make the most of your time, waiting for records from the archive storage or waiting for a fiche reader can use time better spent researching. Before you visit you need to look at what you want to find, check with the records office for the availibilty of the records and pre-order any records that are not available 'off the shelf'. Book a fiche reader use the above sites to help narrow possible search options. Glen

If you look at parish records and find suitable baptisms don't forget to check the burial lists too. With families often naming children after a deceased sibling, it is important to check that you are following the correct person. Gwyn

It is also worth contacting the local library to see if they hold anything useful. I hope you enjoy your trip over here. Anne