 |
| Starting Family History
|
|
You will find tracing your family history a very rewarding pursuit.
When an older relative dies, some knowledge is lost forever. It is never too soon to begin recording what is known.
 How Should I Start ? |
 |
The first stage is to gather all the information you can, from as many people as you can find who are still alive. People who have some knowledge of your family. |
|
Start with yourself and work backwards. |
|
Write down your own name, date and place of birth.
|
|
Keep a complete written or printed record. You might find it easiest to have a loose-leaf folder with a page for each person for example.
|
|
As well as collecting the information, you should also note the sources of all your information, (both people and computers have memories that fail :-).
|
|
Research methodically, and work backwards in time. Do not make assumptions without proof.
|
|
Do the same for your father and mother, including the date and place of their marriage, and date and place of death, if it has occurred.
|
|
Check any old documents in your possession, such as copies of birth, marriage and death certificates, or old letters or photographs, family bibles etc. Look for names, addresses, occupations and dates mentioned.
|
|
Visit older relatives and talk to them about their ancestors and how they relate to you. Note any gossip or rumours about the past. Often this has some sort of foundation, but be careful to separate proveable fact and fiction. Ask if they have any old documents they are willing to let you look at, photograph, or copy.
Older people are especially important, their recollections and memories can add real depth and colour. Even if you are not able to prove the things you are told, it helps to build a picture of the person who gives you the information.
Do bear in mind however, that older people may tire easily, so respect their needs and do not invade their privacy without being invited.
|
|
Remember to take a camera with you if you can. Places where people lived, photographs of distant relatives, and especially churches, gravestones, and the like, really help to bring your family to life.
|
|
Once you have collected all the information available from living relatives and friends, you will need to begin the second phase - to look for your ancestors in the historic records. Now you become a researcher.
|
|
Phase Two: Historic Research
|
The other parts of this website can help you to progress further, but do ask at your local library if there is a family history society in your area (or the area you are researching). Many societies have copies of local records - and in some cases unique records - that can help you to work back through time.
You will also find that Family History Society members are generally a considerate and helpful group of people who all began - as you are beginning - knowing very little, but learning a lot in the process. Their experience can help you too.
|
|
|
|
If you are just starting out you will probably be surprised how much time you need to spend researching.
Be patient, because although you will meet frustration and disappointment along the way, there is little to compare with the thrill of finding one of your own ancestors from hundreds of years ago.
You should not expect librarians and archivists to do your research for you. They will usually help you to find the right records to look in, but apart from the fact that they don't have the time to research everyone's family, you would miss the thrill of finding your own relatives.
Try not to be tempted to believe assumptions. Always look for official documentary proof of events such as a christening, marriage or burial.
Usually, for the more modern events a Certificate is issued. Older events may be recorded in the register books originally kept at the parish church.
|
 |
Tips |
 |
|
After living sources, recent written records will include.
Local library - old newspaper birth, marriage and death notices, together with obituary notices and other reports.
Local library - directories of your area. (Books listing who lived where). Also old electoral rolls.
Local or county library, or UK County Archives for copies of the national index to births marriages and deaths since 1837.
Larger libraries have copies of the national census taken every 10 years since 1841 - the most recent publicly available one is 1901.
Before that, you will need to know the area your relatives lived, and you may find them in the registers of baptism marriage and burial that churches kept prior to 1837.
|
|
UK: 01254 239919