Genealogy Chat

If you have an unusual name, then using Ancestry's copy* of the FreeBMD database can be very productive, because you can do a search over the whole range of dates without the search-engine collapsing under the stress - and it's usually very quick. With that unusual name, you don't get too many hits, but can see a whole family (if you leave out first name). You could even spot a stray in another district when you can see that over-picture. Ancestry (now - it used not to) also offers the options for viewing the image of the index page, and for calling up other names on the same registration reference. *copy - Ancestry has a copy of the FreeBMD database, so there's always a chance that what you find (or don't find) on Ancestry misses out on newly uploaded data on the FreeBMD site. I find both extremely useful - but differently. As people have said, it's often worthwhile to put in less rather than more info - and to make use of wildcards. Sometimes, if a name is unusual, it's harder to find instead of easier, because transcribers (or enumerators or registrars) didn't believe what they looked at and ''corrected'' it. Wildcards (and Soundex, and other ''fuzzy'' search options) can sometimes get round those problems. Christine

Well I hoped to learn some thing and I sure have! Thanks for all of the ideas and comments. Ken

Also FreeBMD has pointers like District names in italics where the page or volume numbers don't match with the district name.....the same data on Ancestry doesn't show you this. The results lists and search criteria are different on Ancestry version of FreeBMD and FreeBMD itself. Depending on what you are looking for, they each have their good side!!..... eg FreeBMD results come up in date order - Ancestrys don't have to.... Ancestry the forename searched for will find a match even if it's a middle name.....FreeBMD won't find that etc etc Merry

I agree with Toni, although the freebmd indexing is still in progress, it is well worth trying it first before starting a long trawl through the ancestry images. You may strike lucky, and there is a facility for seeing other names on the same page (always assuming that the indexing is complete for that page). Also, go direct to the freebmd site rather than through ancestry's version - come back to ancestry if no luck with freebmd.

This is the page on Ancestry that you want:- http://www.ancestry(.)co.uk/search/rectype/vital/freebmd/bmd.aspx remove the brackets. On the page there are three boxes. You want the top one which is headed 'Complete BMD Index Ranges and Images 1837-1983' Then click on 'mariages'. You will then get a search box where you can enter the name you are looking for and a year (just check year by year and click 'view image' for every qtr. in that year). Kath. x

Toni thanks for that I forgot about that site, I too find Ancestry a pain sometimes.

Ken, If you aren't looking at the complete index, I prefer using freebmd instead. It reduces a lot of the extra stuff you don't want, allows you to search for the partner. Others may disagree but I just find it easier. I love Ancestry for census and other info but not bmd stuff. Toni

Thanks I will try those ideas. Ken

... and try selecting the 'Exact Match' option instead of 'Ranked', then you will only get the names that match the one you have put in exactly. Kate.

Ken Include records originating outside the UK - take the tick out of this box.. or from the home page MORE COLLECTIONS UK & Ireland Parish and Probate Records England & Wales, BMD Index Pallot Marriage Index Irish Immigrants: New York Port Arrival UK Census Collection go onto the England and Wales BMD index Complete BMD Index ranges & Images 1837-1983 Find the index page images containing the people you are searching for here. Births Marriages Deaths Then pick marriages and look through the lists.. sara

Ken I know that there is a little tick box at the bottom of the search box to not get results from other countires

Are you using the US version of Ancestry instead of the British one? That would explain it.

How does one discover marriages on Ancestry? I load up all the details I know, show clearly that the person has only lived in England and that I am interested in BDM records. Result lots of births and deaths(not the ones I want) but no marriages. I go thru 300 plus items often from the USA , mainly of names that the only recemblance to the person I seek is that they have a middle name begining with the same letter as the name that I am searching for. What is the magic formula for finding them - anyone have the answer? Thanks Ken