Genealogy Chat

Thought I’d start a thread off for any of those simple little tips that we might know of, which might be overlooked by Newbies (or even experienced researchers).

Here are some of mine : Tempting though it is, don’t base too much research on an early assumption. I once found a link on a website that took one branch of my tree back to the 1600s, only to later find that I’d been basing it on the wrong person. Based on the above, expensive though it may be, you will need to order at least some certificates to get a strong, confirmed basis for your research. Make use of Google. It’s surprising how many leads you can pick up just by putting your ancestor’s name into the search box. There are many sites out there that you would never find otherwise – other peoples’ own genealogy research; sites about particular villages/churches; all sorts of things. If you put “ “ around the name you will avoid all the irrelevant results where the names are separated. Don’t assume that two surnames on a woman’s record means she was married twice. For a long time I thought that the ‘Williamson’ that appeared as a middle name of one of my ancestors indicated either a maiden name, or earlier marriage surname. As it turned out, there was a tradition in that family of using Williamson as a second middle name – right back to a gr-gr-gr-grandmother whose surname was Williamson. Any more for any more ? Simon

Don't assume that because it says on your grandmother's marriage certificate that she was 'of full age', that she was! My grandmother lied! She said she was born in 1873 so that she could marry without her parents permission. She was, in fact, born in 1876! Consequently, when she died, it showed on her death certificate that she was 3 years older than she actually was!

I agree with the previous reply. My grandmother knocked 3 years off her age, because she was 7 years older than her husband!

Hi all All ways look on the back of ny old photos you may have, you can often find quite abit of information. also write on the backs of your own photos, future generations will thank you, oh yes do it in pencil as this wont harm the photo were as modern ink might either harm the photo or fade. Another tip is look at old drivig licences (the little red book type) if you have them as they were issued by local authories and were issued on a yearly basis, this may help to narrow down were your relitive was in a particular year. I found out which farm my father in law worked at when he was a lad this way. He had forgotten the name. Yours Chris Talbot

Get a map. an ordenance survey map 1:50 000 will do, of the area that your ancestors came from this way you can quickly check if any parishes or villiages are close to the last known whereabouts of your ancestors. this is probably only of use before 1837 when travel was limited. For example if you know that your ancestor was married in say Hindon Wiltshire in 1750 he is unlikely to have been baptised in Hendon London, which the IGI would have me beleive.

MAKE NOTES!!!!! of every thing, every index every year you have looked at. even if you dont get a match still make a note as you will only waste time looking againand getting that de ja vu feeling.