Genealogy Chat

see below...

I know I've posted this tip before, but it never ceases to worry me, seeing the number of people on here who try to trace their trees back from census data and GRO index entries only, without buying certificates for each step back. (I mean people tracing their actual main ancestral lines back, not side-branches, which obviously you can't get every cert for unless you are made of money.) There is so much that can go wrong working like that! Suppose you find the wrong family on the censuses, or the wrong marriage entry in the indexes, or the woman you think was your ancestor's mother was in fact his / her stepmother! All these mistakes are very common, but buying the certificates will confirm whether your tree is right or wrong. I just can't see the point in saving £7 and ending up with a tree full of people who are not your ancestors! If you can only afford, say, one certificate a month, then slow down with your research! I know when I have posted this before, I have had replies saying 'let them do what they want, it's their problem', and yes, that's true, but I suppose what really irritates me is the number of times I post a reply on somebody's thread saying, 'Get so-and-so's marriage certificate, then his birth certificate, then you will be able to trace his parents, etc.' only to find half-a-dozen 'helpers' posting up census entries going back as far as 1841 which may or may not be the right ones! Again, fine - IF the person they are 'helping' knows what is what. But it really does seem sometimes as though the helpee then takes it that the family on the postings is definitely theirs and decides not to bother with certificates. If I had done my tree like that, I dread to think what state it would be in. Okay, rant over! Daughter is begging to go on 'puter... Kate.

I have to agree with Kate. As far as I personally am concerned I want to back up every link with proof. That is not to say I have no-one in my Tree who is not yet proven. I don't have that sort of money. Unfortunately on GR we have Family hunters at every level of interest, knowledge and progress. Some of them may well assume (I know, don't assume) that they have received the information from a highly experienced researcher, and accept it as Gospel.

The certs arriving is, for me, one of the most exciting parts of researching my tree, especially when you get an original and not a photocopy. It's like Christmas!

I agree with Kate entirely. Unfortunately I think some people just want to brag about their tree to their friends and aren't overly concerned with the accuracy aspect. Yes, people are free to do what they like; but if they find out later they have been living with a fantasy tree (through cutting corners) it will be their own fault and no one else's. Cheers, Horatia

I haven't yet got all the certificates for my immediate ancestors, but I have spent hours in various record offices looking for evidence. I've searched school records, Wills, court records etc besides the more usual parish records and tried to get to know my ancestors by visiting their villages in many parts of the UK. It is very important to gather all possible evidence to ensure that you are following the right line. The right mother's maiden name against a surname on GRO could mean than you have found another child for your couple, but it could equally be a niece or nephew....... or no linked relative at all. Gwyn

I know what you mean Sarah - I have some that are really great as the registrar is my 4x g grandad, so the cert (even though from the GRO) is all in his hand, and they have helped so much in confirming other little bits, for example, his wifes cert, she died, occupation: wife of John Davenport, registrar informant: Theresa Jane Wright, daughter Registrar: John Davenport. (so all written by him.) also, I agree with Kate - I had the experience of going down the wrong line when I found the wrong family on the census, I spent ages researching them, buying certs and then only to find I had done the wrong family, it is devestating when you put in all that hard work,

I totally agree Kate and All, surprises do happen. I had a concern when my gt grandma who I couldn't find on any census married in Skerton Lancaster in 1901. My gt grandfather came from a village 30 miles away. I was sure of 'him' but not the connection with Skerton. Got the marriage cert, which gave me this info. I did find 'gt grandma's name' on the 1901, 1891 and 1881 born at the correct time and area and living not far from gt grandfather. researched this family but still not convinced. Then with help on these boards found a birth in Skipton, Yorks; 30 miles the other way ! Sent for the cert and lo and behold. A match. This enabled me to search in both areas for the census and the family were mistranscribed using the family's middle name as the family surname, in both Lancs and Yorks. You certainly do need to slow down your research and savour every cert. There is so much more info on them which helps fill in the gaps and answer questions. Best wishes to all doing their research, Joan

I have always bought certs for direct ancestors as and when I can. I've just sent off for a marriage and a birth cert because I am desperate to fill in part of family. Gt grandfather John had 4 brothers. 2 died young and the eldest is very elusive! I think he was a seaman and have found a possible marriage. The likely wife is with her children on the census, but I can't claim them until I have the certs which I hope will definitely show that the husband/father is my gt gt uncle William! Then I just have to find a death for him, which is proving a challenge. nell

This takes me back a week or two,trying to help a friend,although she is grateful for my help she now claims a tree of over 2000 (through my work,trawling bmd and census returns,finding fellow researchers etc) based on just one English cert and three Scottish ones,starting with her g g/parents!!And she still owes me the money. Her hubby has decided he wants his tree doing and adding to hers,three possibles for each of his grandfathers. I sent the bmd refs for all three events for the chaps,instructions how to obtain the certs etc. Result,he has decided that the ones in the census nearest to the area he lives in are the ones,regardless of what certs might prove. Oh dear!!!!!! Glen

I agree about buying copies of certificates to confirm that these people are my ancestors.It is something I have always done. I looked up a message the other day on the trying to find board and a girl was looking for her gt.grd's details so I tried finding him and when I went to give her details she had 3000 people on her tree and I thought how could you get that many people in your tree if you had not found your gt.grandfather. I think some people are just happy to quote numbers that find out actual details about their family. Good luck to you all with your research. Irene

I agree as well xxxx ive brought quite a few certs now as I needed them to see what thier parents names and occupations were. It just gets harder when you get back to births before 1837 and have to rely on LDS and Parish records. I still have a few certs to buy (have brought 28 since May) id have brought more but hubby keeps his eye on me too much lmao Luv Angie xxx

Irene, Your friend could have the correct info and hundreds of rellies of 3 of her GGdads, and be looking for the fourth, Although I do agree that the remarks made on some requests, and the strangeness of someone with 12 names in their tree asking for info from 1676 seem odd.

I agree too, I found a connection on here, but the person wouldnt give access to her tree and we spoke several times on the phone, resulting in her telling me my research was wrong, she had been doing her tree for years and was older than me so she must know more than me! I had all the certificates to back it up...she hadnt and it was her tree of around 100 of this surname which was wrong! Had a little smile to myself!!!!!!!! Laura x

I'm the youngest child of the youngest child of the youngest child (are you still with me?) My tree is my birth family and i had to go the cert route as there was no-one to ask for any names or possible dates. None of my mothers generation are still alive,and there were three who died as babies. The nine from that generation are all backed up with certs,as are my grandparents and grt granparents (unless pre 1837 birth of course). I have 31 certs for my direct lines on my mothers side,and have just started on my fathers. My half sibs couldn't even be sure who their grandparents were so i had to use a very disciplined approach to ensure i had the correct people. At least i know the info i have is based on certs,and is as accurate as it could be. Glen

Kate I know what you mean.. I also think that a lot of the 'Newbies'.. miss out on the buzz you actually get on researching the info out for yourself....getting out there to the libraries and searching the census and St Catherine's House Index.. (if they dont have Ancestry of course..) I have been on now for 2 1/2 years.. and I still enjoy the buzz of finding the info.. confirming the siblings in the parish records.. and me I agree all the way.. Certs and parish records are the way to go..certs after 1837..and parish records before.. Time Consuming Yes.. Rewarding... Very.. Mo

Hi Kate I totally agree with all the messages. Certs can help no end...I have had several where I have sent for a cert in the hope that it might be the right one and the address (Road) given has confirmed. Also addresses can give a clue for other family members as alot of them didn't seem to move too far from their family. Sylvia

Agree Whe I first started ( naively ) I traced my maternal family back and claimed them, I them realised the impaortanc eof certs and re did my tree and I had the entire wrong family. Buying certs saves hours and hours of wasted time and is much more enjoyable when you realise that you have the true family Joanne

Through buying certs, I have found that 3 of my 4 GGMs were second wives and therefore not the mothers of the children I thought they were. And I have one BC which appears to be in all respects correct - the information was exactly what I had expected it to be. But a nose round the Parish Registers for a baptism (I'm SUCH a pedant lol) produced the information that he was illegitimate - his Aunt and Uncle registered the birth as their own and brought him up as their fifth child of ten. No-one in my family knew this and I often wonder if even he did. OC

I would love to buy all the ones I need but if I did I would be homeless, I find it fascinating reading, so just buy some now and again .But if only I could send for the Hundred or so I want how amazing I would be totally absorbed.