New to geneaology, advise on where to start??

[rotella]

Hi there, I am new to geneaology but extremely interested. I am looking for information on my great grandparents, Samuel Joseph Austin Shaw born in Larne 10/18/03 and Charlotte McClurg born in Belfast 10/01/06. I am looking for information on their siblings/parents. Can anyone help direct me to where I should begin? Thanks in advance!

[Christopher]

Hi Rotella,

I get the impression from your message that since you have just started you may have picked your great grand parents and are considering starting from that point. It is easier to work back from your own family (i.e. work back from today towards your great grandparents).

Please advise if you have already done this and at the same time advise the religious persuasion of the Shaw and McClurg families.   

Christopher

[rotella]

Hi Christopher;

Yes, I started with my parents, grandparents and now am stuck here with my maternal grandmothers parents.  I do have some first names of siblings of both of my great grandparents but no dates of birth. I also have the first and last names of my great grandparents mom and dad, but no county of birth or dates. As for religion, I am not certain but may be able to find out. I know that my great grandfather loved to quote the bible in his wonderful Irish drawl (I can still hear it to this day!) but I am not sure if he would have been baptised a Catholic or not. I could find out with a few phone calls though.  Thanks for your reply, I guess I am trying to find out where I start searching for written records when my living relatives either don't know or can't remember. I have hear tale that our family is somehow tied to the Shaw castle, but then again, wouldn't everyone have a story like that in their family 

[rotella]

Apparently both were protestants and would have been from Northern Ireland around Belfast. Grandpa was born in Larne, and Grandma in Belfast.

[Darcy]

Hi Rotella,

the Ulster Historical Foundation has birth entries for -

Charlotte McClurg born 1906 and Samuel Shaw born 1903.

You can check the data base at the link below and also find out how to apply for their birth information.

Although the data base is not yet complete you may be able to find other family members there.

http://www.ancestryireland.co.uk/

Regards
Darcy

[rotella]

Oh my, thank you ever so much! I can't believe you got that information so fast! Do you know if there is some sort of publication which might teach me which steps to use to find out information such as that? I really feel like a dunce so far, I also have my dad's grandpa's full name, year and place of birth, date of death and even the cemetery in which he is buried, but in all of the sites such as ancestry.com it seems he does not exist - now if I have all of that information and still can't find anything I must be doing something really wrong!

[audrey]

rotella
once you get the parents of Samual I might be able to help had a look at the BVRI shaw in Larn is well listed Mcclurg is not bad either


audrey

[rotella]

Hi Audrey, thanks for the help.  Samuels dad was John Shaw, mom was Mary Campbell, Charlotte McClurgs dad was Matthew McClurg and mom was Francis Alexandra Hall. We think Grandpa had siblings of Emma, Mary Jean, Evelyn, Austin, James Tom Bert and Edith, and Grandma with Siblings of Ella, Annie, Margaret, Marie (Lily Francis?), Jack, Matthew, and Eddie. This is all going from the memory of my grandma. Other than this info I have nothing else, no dates of birth or even if these names are correct. This must all seem elementary to some, but I really appreciate the help!

[Darcy]

Hi again Rotella

you are certainly not a dunce - just a beginner and we have all been there.

You are on the right track so far. Although Ireland is a bit difficult due to there being little census information it is possible to get information by other means.

Audrey has offered to help you with her resources and that's great.

Have a look around RootsChat, especially the Beginners board, where you will find lots of tips about getting started. Just reading the posts and the answers given will help you enormously.

There are lots of people here ready and willing to help you.

Don't be afraid to ask questions we are a friendly lot and will do our best to assist you.

Regards
Darcy