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Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

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Where do I begin?

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Wendy

Wendy Report 7 Sep 2003 23:48

Hello, My name is Wendy Mansfield (nee Edwards) I am hoping to trace family members, but have no idea how to start..can someone please give me some starting pointers?

Maxine

Maxine Report 8 Sep 2003 09:36

Hi Wendy I would start by writing down everything that you know at this point in time. Enter the details for yourself and your immediate family as you know it, and then expand to include any other known relatives. Spend as much time as you can talking to your relatives and asking them questions about their families and any stories they can remember. The more you can get from them the better. I would then spend a bit of time on the Help/FAQs page , general info and the links page on the left , getting used to the web sites and what they do. This may seem like alot of preparation work, when you really just want to get stuck in, but believe me it's worth it, as it can help you save hours on searches, and £s too! Once you have your starting point, you can then start using the 1901 census if your information takes you back that far, or parish records if not. You will then be able to move forward to the 1881 census(see latter day saints link), and using sites such as freebmd(see links) and 1837 online(see links). You may well need to visit your local records office to look at other census data,trade information, maps, parish records and much more. Plus there is always the tips board! Best Regards MAxine

Twinkle

Twinkle Report 8 Sep 2003 15:17

My advice is to get a little questionaire sorted. Find out: Full Name Date and Place of Birth Date and Place of Christening Religion Date and Place of Marriage Spouse's Name Date and Cause of Death Date and Place of Buriel Occupation Parents' Names If you do one for each person, it allows easy cross-referencing and you don't miss out any essential info.

Wendy

Wendy Report 9 Sep 2003 04:46

To the ladies that answered my request..thank you. I neglected to state that I now live in Australia...and have for the last 30 + years. Is Somerset House, the place to search for birth certificates, still?

Elizabeth A

Elizabeth A Report 9 Sep 2003 05:51

Hi there The Family records Office in Myddleton Road London is now the place for Birth, marriage and death certs, and cenus returns, etc, more info can be found I believe, be found under links column on the left. Hope this helps. Liz