Genealogy Chat

Not knowing the area where ancestors lived on the edge of the Forest of Dean, it wasn't until I visited the village in Gloucestershire that I realised why children were baptised in Herefordshire. The nearest church was just a short walk down the hill but the road happened to cross the county boundary. Gwyn

Learned that lesson hard way - don't get caught on registration districts either. Have discovered that Worlaby Lincolnshire can be registered in either Glanford or Louth & Ashby can get registered in 6 different districts. Probably could have saved myself a lot of head aches if had figured out earlier.

I've just found, helping a friend sort out her husband's tree, that the town they lived in has actually been in 3 separate counties - Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire. So if you can't find the county you want, try the next door one. nell

Jim In a similar vein, you have to also think 'like them'. I have one ancestor who insists that he was born in Accrington, Yorkshire. At the time he was born, Accrington was under the Ecclesiastical Dictatorship (LOL) of the Western Deaneries of York....so as far as he was concerned, his birth was recorded in York (which it was) and therefore Accrington must be part of Yorkshire! OC

Wise words. So often I find people in a different county and when I check on the map its just a mile or so up the road from where they were born. Remember people were a bit interchangable about names too - my husband's London relatives used St Lukes/Shoreditch/Clerkenwell/Holborn as though they were all the same place! nell

Something came up recently which reminded me of a basic Genealogical error so I thought I would share it with you. Boundaries, whether they be Parish, City or County, are not impassable. If you can't find a Rellie try looking at the next County. It was often quicker and easier to get to or from there than some of the places in the same County. I know this is basic, but I believe it is sometimes necessary to be reminded.