Genealogy Chat

Sometimes certs can be very unhelpful - ie marriage certs that just give the village name (no address) say both bride and groom are of full age (whereas exact age would help find their birth records) etc. Sometimes they contain useful information. For example I traced my gt grandfather with a common surname by getting the death cert of his (ie my gt gt grandfather) with an unusual name - so unusual I knew I had the right person - the place he died gave me an area to look and I found all the family in censuses until my gt grandfather departed for London, which is where I knew him from. This then enabled me to ask someone to find him on the census as his common name was now linked with a small village. I also found my gt grandmother and gt uncle's death certs - they were not related but died at the same address, which told me that my grandparents had rented it for their various relatives. Sometimes you know what info you hope to find, other times it is a bonus. nell

Hi, Like Richard I buy all marriage and birth certs on my direct line. I need to be sure I have the right family. I also get some deaths, especially if they were young. I have all the ones I need for my direct line now but still get certs of twigs if I need confirmation or am curious about an individual. Genealogy isn't a cheap hobby! Gwynne

I like to get the 'full set' for my direct ancestors. Have to do it slowly so as not to break the bank!! You are right, Kerry, it does seem to be a sort of memorial to all those who went before us. Anne

Trish, Hope your son is ok. I've only just really started, my mum died and it made me think about the whole continuity thing. Addictive yes, I haven't slept properly for last few nights as I have all these names and places whizzing around in my head. Its really exciting, like a whole story unravelling. I cant wait for the next bit. I also like the idea of all the people being remembered, even if its just by me.

Mum & Dad started doing the family history about 10 years ago. They're getting on a bit now and haven't quite come to grips with the internet (though they don't do too bad considering that Dad got his first PC at age 70!!). So, I started to help them out a couple of years ago, and of course got "hooked" myself. Addictive, isn't it ...LOL!

I think its great to try and get the whole picture if possible. My mothers side of the family have not kept many certificates so its been hard getting started on that side. My grandfather on my dads side has got loads, cant wait to get my hands on them, his spare room is like Alladins cave. I wish I had loads of pictures too! Wow Richard, 115, how long have you been researching?

Ive just been thinking about the certificates that I order the most of and these are death certificates!! How morbid am I???? Usually the death certificates I ask for are for children, partly out of curiousity and partly because my son has a hereditary disorder which started the whole family search in the first place!! Trish

Personally I have tried to obtain all birth, marriage & death certs that are in my direct line of ancestors. Of course, there are a few that I haven't managed to find as yet, but I have most of them back to 1837 now. I also buy birth & marriage certs where necessary to confirm descendancy trees of "blood-relatives" (cousins). Of course, it would cost 1000's to get them all, so I tend to limit these to ones where I need confirmation that I have the right family, or the "interesting" ones (e.g. I recently found a gg-grandaunt was born & registered in Gibraltar, where her dad was in the army - had to get that one!). So far, I have 115 BMD certs - £800 worth! Expensive hobby, isn't it, when you add on Ancestry subscription, 1837online, etc etc. Still, it keeps me off the streets :o) Richard

I know what you mean Kerry. I ordered some certificates today in the hope that I can finally move on with my family search. Until they arrive I am totally stuck. Mind you, they might not even be anything to do with my family, so I might end up with nothing!!!!!! It is exciting when they do arrive and help though. I always order mine direct from the register office in Portsmouth (where I am searching for) and they don't seem to take too long. Trish

Thanks Trish, It's really frustrating waiting for them to arrive isn't it!

Hi Kerry All certificates will give important information. A marriage certificate gives the father's names of both parties and their ages of the people who were married. From this information it is easier to locate a birth certificate. Working backwards from Death certificates, then Marriage certificates, then Birth certificates helps to verify the information you have found or that you already know. Trish

I just wondered which certificates most people order, is it important to get birth and marriage certificates for all links? Kerry