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Tips On Searching for Pre 1800 BMDs?!

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Jess

Jess Report 22 Jun 2006 20:15

Hey Guys, Im currently searching my family lines of BODDIE (BODDY/BODY) who resided in Somerset/Bristol area and DOWNING in Yorkshire. With both lines I have managed to get back as far as the beginning of the c.1800s, (1768 for BODDIES and 1811 for DOWNING respectively) however Im now lost as to where to turn next for information on births marriages and deaths for earlier ancestors. I regulary scour familysearch and familyhistoryonline for new information, however I feel Im going round in circles now! Will I have to leave the security of my computer to discover more?! If so where do I start?! I have been to Somerset Record Office in Taunton and found some bits and pieces. Do churches hold parish records from 18th Century still?! Any tips would be much appreciated! Thanks, Jess

Unknown

Unknown Report 22 Jun 2006 20:18

Before 1st July 1837, when civil registration began, you will need to rely on parish baptism, marriage and burial registers. Cof E registers are generally with the relevant records office. You can order microfilm of registers from your nearest LDS family history centre. The Society of Genealogists' Library in London has a large collection. The relevant local family history society may also have transcripts. You can usually find out who has the records by googling. nell

Caz

Caz Report 22 Jun 2006 20:23

Hi You don't say which parishes you are interesed in. The LDS might have microfilmed them, in which case you should be able to order and view them at any LDS centre. Carole

fraserbooks

fraserbooks Report 22 Jun 2006 21:13

Bristol family history society will look up BMD for the old Avon area for about £2.00 each. I have the index disk for Bath marriages from about 1750 but it does not cover Bristol. Which parishes are you looking for in Somerset?