I think we all get to that point eventually. You've done great to get as far as early 1700s without too many doubts.
It's this part of researching family history which most appeals to me. I must be a masochist! You dig up different clues, put them together and - hopefully - follow the right line. Of course, if you run into Smiths and Jones it makes life even harder.
I don't think I'm alone in admitting that I've been up the wrong track more than once but that's half the fun!
The most helpful points I find-
- marriages usually ( but not always) take place in the bride's parish. So, if you've got a likely baptism in the same parish at the right time, with the name of the bride, you can be pretty sure she's yours.
- I also look at naming patterns. If I've got a likely baptism for , e.g. Henry Bloggs, son of Francis and Jemima. I'd be worried if I subsequently found Henry's marriage and he had 8 children - none of whom were called Francis or Jemima!
I keep a 'master copy' of my tree with the ancestors I'm sure of , and a rough copy with those waiting to be confirmed. The further back I go, the more are on the rough copy!!
It's great when you find that one piece of the jigsaw which enables you to move a family group onto the master copy.
I love it when a plan comes together!!
Jill
