Genealogy Chat

What do you do when you can't seem to trace people, but know that they exist or existed? I think I must be incredibly thick.............. Chris

What time frame??? census years, if they where alive during one of the census years then they should be there but maybe mistranscribed or several other reasons? Pre census years have to check local records office archives. after census years only have BMD or electoral rolls? Suzanne

Chris if you need help or extra eyes give details of person and se if anyone else can help. Suzanne X

Try Different spellings or some times less info in search box gives the results you want but most of all view results with an open mind and use logical thinking e.g. (if you think someone was born say 1856 then don't exclude results from census or BMD for births up to 5 years either side) without more info, as what you think you know is not always fact Roy

Factors that are more prevalent than realised>>> 1)mistranscription is rife,and some examples arent even close. 2)misinformation from family who have grown up with family myths,exagerrations or crosswired details...I had to tell a relative where his own mother was born,took me ages to convince him-he said it was oxford -I insisted it was Liverpool. 3)The plain fact that there wasnt a record for someone in a particular census or registration.....people were away at war,travelling,at sea,some werent registered at all at birth as it didnt bear a fine until after 1870. 4)error at source ie. the actual recording by the enumerator or registrar.