Best use of search time on location

[bazlynda]

Hi,
 This is a true newby question.
I've been building on my ancestral records over the past 5-10 years (all online).
I've made some great discoveries and would like to expand on what I have found.
I will be travelling to some of the areas of my ancestors in a couple of months, around Durham as well as some West Sussex locations, and will have a few days free that I would like to spend widening my search.
I would really like to know what the best use of my time would be?
Obviously I could wander around and get some photos and locate gravestones and take some photos of old census addresses.
But I was wondering what other valuable things I could do with my time that I am unable to do online

[shanreagh]

I don't know if they have Family History Centres around Durham but when I was in Northern Ireland a mumble few years ago I took my research into the local FHC (L'Derry) and they had a special on to ask a genealogist to find records for 30GBP. 

I left the info with them, they checked it and added a few things/clarified a few things including the memorable (now family phrase)..."unfortunately some of your ancestors were Presbyterian' (NI genies will understand, it was access to records). They charged me 10GBP as most of the info was in my collection. 

Then I went to the local library in the local town close to where my ancestors came from.  They had some maps I had not seen.  I found out when the local history group was meeting and went to an interesting talk about WW2 bases in the north and some stories about RAF flying down the border between NI & Ireland.  I walked around the areas, went to their local churches, found the farmlet, met the current owners.

Close to the end I went to FHCentre in Coleraine and there i was able to look at records I had not seen about a branch of the family and more importantly I was able to help several people whose ancestors had ended up in NZ.  Gave them some links and I was happy to do this as I had such a helpful response from everyone there about my family and it was great to give something back. 

This was all organised once I had got there as my initial idea had been just to be in the area my grandmother was from and walk in her steps.   

[bazlynda]

Thanks shanreagh,
Thats the sort of information I was after.
Last time I did it I felt I wasted most of my time just driving around.
So I will definitely look into the Family History Centres as a good starting point.
Thanks!
Barry

[Liz_in_Sussex]

 

When you are in Sussex you should try to call in at The Keep https://www.thekeep.info where the Sussex Family History Group https://sfhg.uk has its research room - we are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10-4 and Thursday 10-1. There are volunteers available to help with any Sussex research queries.

If you are planning to visit graveyards with a view to taking photos of gravestones bear in mind that many are hard to find, may have been moved / laid down so try to establish if there is a stone to see first.

There are far too many amazing places to experience in Sussex if you haven't been before: the Downs, the Weald, the coast but maybe visit Chichester, home of West Sussex Archives and the county town and Arundel. Also the Weald and Downland Museum https://www.wealddown.co.uk which is just north of Chichester.

But to my mind, you can't beat the many beautiful rural villages that are scattered around the county!

Liz (SFHG Librarian)

[KGarrad]

Try to locate plans of any graveyards you plan to visit, as well as any graveyard indexes.

It's what I do when asked to research Isle of Man gravestones

[aghadowey]

Maps, maps and more maps! Before you even leave home check all possible maps online and Google Streetview if available to see what the area looks like now and where things used to be.

[jackella]

It might be worth visiting the county archives.  Look on-line for their addresses and  telephone numbers.  They will advise you of their opening hours and if you need any ID for your research.  The county archives are usually staffed by people with great knowledge of the local area who spend most of their time helping researchers.  Our local archives have free access to both Ancestry and Find my Past.

They are there to help!  Good luck with your research.
 

[Biggles50]

Suggest you find where the County Archives are and see if there are Grave details online or is not online are they on microfische.

Chances are Gravestones do not exist or if they do even fairly recent ones can be illegible.  Best to find the Cemetery and Plot Reference for each person of interest and very important a map of the graveyard especially if it is a large one.

[Roobarb]

I was about to say that Durham County archives are in Durham City, however, having checked online for the address I came across this article :


https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19805095.archive-durham-set-move-900-years-history-next-year/

Seems they're temporarily closed for the move, although I'd suggest phoning to check if you want to visit, they might have completed the move early.