brick wall

[tallted]

I have been researching my family tree in earnest for about 5 years. I have  succeeded in tracing a lot of fam. membrs. through the "home children" information, BMD, 1881,1901 census', but now I have hit a brick wall.  I dont seem to be able to link up to a data base for BMD before 1837 in the UK. Would anyone have any suggestions for me.

[Kazza]

Hi there:

Taken fron GENUKI:

In England and Wales you should be able (especially if you are blessed with a set of unusual surnames in your family) to trace your family roots with comparative ease back to 1837 (when national birth, marriage and death registration began). Getting back beyond 1837 normally relies mainly on the use of parish registers - with luck, and allied to other types of records, these might enable you to trace your family back to the late 16th century. Beyond this can be extremely difficult, unless you can tie in to a well-documented pedigree, for example of royalty or a great landowning family.

However,  on this site we can help,  you will find various links and visiting the boards for the individual counties will give you lots of information.

Good Luck,
Kazza.

[Kazza]

Sorry,

I have just realise I posted this reply with only half the information I intended to give you.  DOHHH  

The BIVRI is made of the Bishop's Transcripts of some parish records.  It is available to buy via the web,  but not to search in it's entirety.  

However we have some lovely volunteers who undertake searches for people on our Census and Resource Lookup Request board.  Place a posting there  and someone will take a look for you.  Please read the instructions in the first posting on that board to help us to help you.  

Kazza.

[kevan]

You do not mention the IGI search available. It is not perfect, but pretty good (bit like me), no seriously -
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true

Apart from this it is a trudge through the internet, microfiche and all the other stuff that is available. It gets better by the day.
Best
Kevan

[tallted]

Thank you Kevan. I will try it. Excuse my ignorance but what is IGI?
Tallted

[Chris in 1066Land]

Tallted

The IGI is the International Genealogical Index available at

www.familysearch.org

It includes principally baptism and marriage entries, mostly covering the period prior to 1875 (more like 1850 actually) taken from Parish Registers and Bishops Transcripts.
Only an estimated 45% of all parish register  entries are included.
Only use it as a finding aid - then consult the original registers to prove your research.

Chris in 1066Land