Genealogy Chat

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 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 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 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

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 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.

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.

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