Genealogy Chat

Heather, It would be very kind if someone could help me with my parents marriage. Mother was Edith Catherine Birch, b.14.11.1908. Father was Ronald Miller ,b.14.9.1910 Both were born in Liverpool and would have married between 1926-1929....I cannot be absolutely sure. I am sure they would have married in Liverpool and probably in West Derby. Any help would be much appreciated. Having heard that joining Soc Gen gives me Ancestry free has made my mind up. Thank you all agian for your help.

I'd go for SOG, as they hold transcripts registers etc of all over the country. Shelli

Anne, give us details of your parents marriage in case someone else can find it for you.

Just to remind you, If you belong to SoG, you can get into Ancestry for free, as you can at LDS in London, while most of the census indexes will be freely available at Kew and the FRC from about February. B

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Paul, I only joined 1837 yesterday and flound it very slow, which I guess is not surprising on the weekend. I also got frustrated when I tried to find my parents marriage in 1928 and nothing was there. I have now spent my £15, so will persevere! I will visit Soc. Gen and LDS in the next couple of weeks and will also see what Camden libraries have to offer (that is where I live in London) May I say how much I appreciate your friendly assistance on this board? I do not feel at all intimidated at my lack of experience. I visit daily to have a look at other members posts and find I learn a lot by surfing.

Ann, I suppose you do have a sub with ancestry, do you? If thats what you are thinking about, somewhere to search census etc. then that is the best choice. 1837 is really for specific look ups on references, not for browsing or checking out possibilities.

Hi Ann I've never regretted my sub to the Soc Gen. They have so much stuff that simply isn't available elsewhere. Besides will indexes (only a fraction of wills appear on DocumentsOnline), census indexes, apprenticeship indexes, Monumental Inscription indexes, parish register transcripts, all sorts of books with lists of names, they have an amazing collection of family trees and research notes. You can go on a free, guided trip round the premises, which gives you some idea as to what they hold. Believe me, it is amazing. They also do lectures and workshops. And they are always looking out for volunteers, which is a cunning way to find out more about sources, while making friends. Talking to people is really helpful. Most family history societies let you come to meetings without charging a fee. Go along to test the water. Talks are likely to cover a range of topics which will be useful to you. Enjoy yourself, whatever you do! B

If you can easily reach the LDS in Exhibition Road you have no need anyway for 1837on line, as the LDS has a full set of GRO indexes. My view is that the LDS gives you most options as you also have access to microfilms of parish registers, censuses etc. And it doesn't cost anything (apart from Ken Livingstone's increased yet again tube fare!)

If you live near to SoG, then that would be your best choice. It used to be possible to get a day visitors' ticket, so you could have a look at the resources available before you pay your £50 to join. In my opinion 1837 on line is only worth the money if for some reason you are unable easily to get to one of the many places where you can consult the records for free. Its an hours bus ride to my local county library where they have all the indexes on fiche. I find it worth the time visiting there because you get to meet people who share your interest. A bit like GR General Topics forum in the flesh. dave

Why do you think 1837 is not worth the money? It does exactly what it says it does. Enables you to locate births, deaths and marriages online from the start of civil registration in 1837 to the most recent data in 2002. Which organisation to join would very much depend on what you are hoping to obtain from your searches. Lou

Why do you think 1837 is not worth the money? Paul

I am not sure which Genealogy organisations would be best to join. I live in Central London so can easily get to the Society Of Genealogists, The Family Records Office and the Mormon Centre. I originate from Liverpool , so am a member of Liverpool and SW Lancs. FHS. I am planning a week in Liverpool to look up Parish registers etc. I have also paid my money to 1837 online, but so far do not think it is worth the money. Has anyone any advice which organisation would give me the most productive search options.