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Topic: *** Tips on Getting Started *** (Read 16045 times)
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Kazza
Welsh Lass
RootsChat Aristocrat
 Offline
Posts: 1784
Looking into Holes
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Tips for the Novice
A lot of the queries in this forum take the form of "Can anyone give me some tips on getting started in Family History Research......" type questions.
We love to answer your questions but to avoid duplication of effort I have extracted some answers which will give good general information.
The best tip of course is: Ask a Rootschatter, they are happy to help. 
A good place to start is FreeBMD, as the name suggests a free site with the index of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the UK. Not all of the records are on there yet, but you may get something to help.
http://www.freebmd.rootsweb.com/
Your next port of call could be the Family Search site that has census and other information and is also free:
http://www.familysearch.org/
The GENUKI site is the best site for information about how to start it all off:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/
Kazza.
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« Last Edit: Sunday 26 March 06 17:36 BST (UK) by Ticker »
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 Surname interests: Clementsten, Hobson, Hole, Marden, O'Clements, Pitten, Sharland, Vickery (Vicary), Williams. Area Interests: Cardiff, Bampton, Bideford, Crediton, Wollaston, Somerset, Tidenham, Norway, Australia to Bristol. |
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Boongie Pam
Global Moderator
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2457
Lilian Palmer 1923 to 1987
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There are some good sites with tutorials on how to get started. You've done the first and most important step - speak to people.
Restrictions on newer records mean that to use online or public domain resources you have to know who you are looking for in at least 1901. Did your grandparents parents live then?
Here's 2 good starting point articles:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/familyhistory/
http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/default.htm
Both have excellent guides for the UK.
I've only being doing my family tree since August last year and I started with 2 names provided by my nana before she died both were on the 1901 and one on the 1881 - from this point I now have about 500 individuals and I've broken the 1700 barrier on one line. This has been done very cheaply using the library and online resource.
The golden rules are:-
Get as much info from your relatives as possible, drag the old photos out sit and reminisce. Sometimes there are blockers or red herrings. People don't always want to talk - tact needs to be used, talk about places rather than people.
Keep a note of EVERYTHING never dismiss anything, you may forget a connection later on. Often old family friends, marriage witnesses etc turn out to be related.
Work backwards if you have an unusual name to follow that can make it easier but beware of the Smiths & Jones.
I hope you enjoy it and best of luck. My dad was the same by the way - not interested but when I showed him the online census he couldn't get enough.
All the best,
Pam
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« Last Edit: Sunday 12 December 04 16:27 GMT (UK) by Boongie Pam »
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright~~~~~~~~~~~ Dumfrieshire: Fallen, Fallon, Carruthers, Scott, Farish, Aitchison, Green, Ryecroft, Thomson, Stewart Midlothian: Linn/d, Aitken, Martin North Wales: Robins(on), Hughes, Parry, Jones Cumberland: Lowther, Young, Steward, Miller Somerset: Palmer, Cork, Greedy, Clothier http://fallon.rootschat.net
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Kazza
Welsh Lass
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 1784
Looking into Holes
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RootsChatters,
This reply from Boongie Pam is excellent advice to the complete novice.
SO, I am going to add the following advice of my own and Sticky it up for future reference for beginners.
The best thing to do in this site is take a look around first. Here is my
1. Look around the Beginners Forum. Explore the Beginner's links gathered together at the top of the board. Read a few of the topics, these are some useful ones:
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=47;action=display;threadid=2973
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=47;action=display;threadid=2538
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=47;action=display;threadid=2181
2. Look around the Census and Resource Discussion Forum. Explore some of the links given at the top of the board and read some of the topics. There are some fascinating stories there and some heartening sucess stories.
3. Explore the Common Room. Get an idea of the range of questions asked, and the answers given.
4. Explore the Specialist boards
This is the place you will find some of the more specialist information
such as advice on Armed Forces and Military Records or Professions and Occupations
5. Look at the relevant Country and County forums. If you know what areas you are interested in you will find some more links to help you here.
6. Ask questions, lots of them. This is the key on Rootschat, there are lots of friendly people who are just waiting to help you . We were all beginners once, and everyone knows what it is to find themselves stuck at a Brick Wall.
Lastly, have fun, and good luck. 
Kazza.
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 16 May 07 21:33 BST (UK) by Berlin-Bob »
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Surname interests: Clementsten, Hobson, Hole, Marden, O'Clements, Pitten, Sharland, Vickery (Vicary), Williams. Area Interests: Cardiff, Bampton, Bideford, Crediton, Wollaston, Somerset, Tidenham, Norway, Australia to Bristol.
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moscan
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 1307
The next generation
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Accessing Irish Records
Where to Start: - for the Republic of Ireland: -
In Irish records all births marriages and deaths from 1864 - Present are available in the General Registrars office here in Dublin.
The General Register Office is located at: -
Joyce House,
8 – 11 Lombard Street,
Dublin 2
Ireland
Before this date one is dependent on accessing Church records. Depending on the county you are researching, there are books available to guide one through the resources available.
1. Tracing your Dublin Ancestors
2. Tracing your Cork Ancestors
3. Tracing your Mayo Ancestors
4. Tracing your Donegal Ancestors
5. Tracing your Kerry Ancestors
6. Irish Church Records
7. Longford and it’s People
All the above Publications are available from FLYLEAF PRESS
4 Spencer Villas,
Glenageary,
Co. Dublin.
Ireland
E-mail address: - Flyleaf[AT]indigo.ie
The National Archives: -
Bishop Street,
Dublin 8,
Ireland.
The Census details for 1901 and 1911 are available from the National Archives office but they don’t do searches - one must go and plough throughout the different indexes and hope to get lucky.
Other holdings available at the National Archives are
Wills and Administrations
Griffiths Valuations
Tithe Applotments
Government Official Papers.
http://www.nationalarchives.ie
The National Library
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
http://www.nli.ie
Has microfiche available of most of the registers of the Roman Catholic Churches in Ireland. Newspapers, directories and other publications.
Land Commission index, Journals and estate papers.
Costs:
The cost for searches in the Register of B/M/D – is Euro 1.50 for a 5-year search and Euro 15 for total access to all of the indexes per day.
To get copies of a birth/marriage/death cert. you can get a photocopy on site for Euro1.50 per copy and Euro 6.50 for a full copy (which can be acquired on the day or posted to you later.
The National Archives are free but you have to get a reader’s card, which can be issued at the door.
The same applies for the National Library
Other Sources: -
Some of the Shipping/Passenger lists for the immigration Ships of the 17th and 18th Century are available mainly in the North of Ireland, through the: -
Ulster American Folk Park,
Castletown,
Omagh,
Co. Tyrone BT78 5 QY
Northern Ireland
Irish World
www.iol.ie/irishworld
Ulster Historical Foundation
www.uhf.org.uk
www.local.ie
Irish Genealogy – an umbrella organisation for genealogical services in the ROI and Northern Ireland
www.irshgenealogy.ie
Irish Family History Foundation
www.irish-roots.net
Ulster Historical Foundation
www.ancestryireland.co.uk
Cobh Genealogical Project
www.cork.anglican.org
Genealogical Society of Ireland
www.gensocireland.org
General Register Office (Northern Ireland)
www.groni.gov.uk
General Register Office (Irish Republic)
Www.groireland.ie
Public Record office of Northern Ireland
www.proni.gov.uk
National Archives of Ireland
www.nationalarchives.ie
National Library of Ireland
www.nli.ie
Coastguards of Yesteryear - Coastguards around the Irish coastline between the 18th and early 20th centuries, as well as births, deaths, census information,
http://www.coastguardsofyesteryear.org/index.html
Church of Ireland – the Representative Church Body Library - they hold the surviving registers from 830 parishes in the Irish Republic
www.ireland.anglican.org
I have also in my possession a number of leaflets from P.R.O.N.I (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland)
Any of which I can photocopy for anyone who needs it.
I hope that you find this helpful and if you think that I can help you further please get in touch
Best Wishes
Mo
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« Last Edit: Thursday 31 May 07 18:37 BST (UK) by Berlin-Bob »
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright
Researching: - Freear, Walker, Aston, Scanlan, Courtney, Lowth, O’Sulivan, McDonnell, Condon, McMahon, McKay, Brock, Gourlay, Busby
Locations: - March in Cambridgeshire, Banbury in Oxfordshire, Mileham in Norfolk, Worcester, Evesham, Claines in Worcestershire, Birmingham. Dublin, Cork, Fermanagh in Ireland. Glasgow, Stirling in Scotland
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moscan
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 1307
The next generation
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I have attached a pdf file that was produced by the National Library of Ireland which researchers with an interest in Irish records may find useful to read.
Best wishes
mo
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 famil1.pdf (76.9 KB - downloaded 621 times.)
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All census look up transcriptions are Crown Copyright
Researching: - Freear, Walker, Aston, Scanlan, Courtney, Lowth, O’Sulivan, McDonnell, Condon, McMahon, McKay, Brock, Gourlay, Busby
Locations: - March in Cambridgeshire, Banbury in Oxfordshire, Mileham in Norfolk, Worcester, Evesham, Claines in Worcestershire, Birmingham. Dublin, Cork, Fermanagh in Ireland. Glasgow, Stirling in Scotland
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Jed59
RootsChat Member
Offline
Posts: 186
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And don't forget the chatroom..we are a friendly bunch and always ready to help....if the conversation doesnt seem to have much to do with genealogy thats cos no[one wants a look up or anything..it will switch back if you ask for help.
If youve never been in a chatroom dont worry...just type what you want to say at the bottom of the page..we were all new once.
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Christopher
RootsChat Marquessate
Offline
Posts: 10445
St Patrick's Night at Bunratty.
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Hello Paul,
I couldn't get your link to work.
I think this may be the same site www.rootstelevision.com
Christopher
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jwilko
RootsChat Extra
Offline
Posts: 21
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.natio
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I wanted to add some stuff!!!!
Join rootschat!!!!! Go to the bottom of the page and fill in your surname interests section. Theh you can search rootschat users for matches.
Use the search rootschat button at the top of the page and search for previous posts matching what your looking for.
Make sure you pop into the chat room. The little chat button at the top of the page will take you to a room full of nice people that can most likely help you on your way to success.
Good luck with your search and have fun.
John
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matt94
RootsChat Extra
Offline
Posts: 74
Matt ^^
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Some Tips on getting started on your Family History Search
Relatives
My relatives gave me alot of information... to get some information out of them you may want to contradict them so that they remember things....
~For Example~
"What was your grandfather's mother called?"
"Oh, I don't know"
"I think it was Doris"
No, no, Doris was his sister, his mother was called Milly!"
Websites
Look at the List above of websites, they really helped me in my search.
RootsChat..Join Rootschat! The people are lovely and always have helped me when I hit a brick wall.
Good Luck!
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Lane End, Marlow, Wycombe, Swaffam, Ditchfield, Basildon, Manchester, Harperhey, Fingest, Salford, Silchester, "The Old Arm Chair", "The Old Sun" Public Houses...
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Glenbbur
RootsChat Pioneer
Offline
Posts: 1
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Personal MessagesLots of people seem to struggle sending Personal Messages (PM) when they first start, I know I did! Here's how to do it: Click the brown "xx messages" at top right of screen. Click the bluish/grey "new msg" icon. Click the grey box next to the brown "Find members" Type in say "yyyy" and click "Search" After it has found yyyy's address, click the brown "yyyy" and it should address the mail to that person. Type away.... EnjRootsChat and tryi/quote] Dear Geoff, thankyou for the info will try to do it...find working the computer a nightmare..l think l have computer phobia!New to RootsChat and l am researching my Grandfather during WW1, my mother in the A.T.S WW2 ,My mysterious father who was an American/Canadian Soldier WW2.Best Wishes Glenbbur Ancestry: SWIFT (on my Granfather's side) and Matthews on my Grandmother's side.My father's Surname( l am trying to get more proof ) Johnson....johnston ?
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swift mathews : Sneinton ,St Anns,Nottinghamshire England
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shellyesq
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 1067
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Glenbbur - I've found that it's easier to send a private message by just clicking on someone's screenname, like where yours says Glenbbur in blue on the left. Then, you scroll to the bottom and click where it says "Send this Rootschatter a private message." Then, you just type your message in and click on send when you're done.
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