Search for the hidden treasures of your ancient ancestors using the power of today's technology. Use the most popular Internet sites to check millions of names in thousands of databases.
You're bound to unearth a few skeletons!
Most Links are UK based and intended for those researching British ancestors (with some Scottish, Welsh & Irish connections). There are some Norwegian Links and others which are USA orientated.
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Five steps to beginning your UK research. Be warned though genealogy is very addictive, takes over your life and can be expensive (if you let it). |  |
Print out everything you find, don't rely solely on your computers memory. Regularly collate all you come across, try to keep some order so you can make sense of it all should you need to go back a step (and you will).
STEP #1
| First write, or type, up everything you know about your family history. Then note everything you suspect and all family gossip, it'll come in useful one day; but don't believe everything you hear! All your findings must be backed up with evidence, preferable two sources. |  |
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Buy a Family Tree magazine with a cover CD on, they usually have some free or trial genealogy databases to try. You need to use one in this day and age! I use Family Tree Maker, but the many programs are very much alike, you can pick one up in Asda for only a few pounds! (The standard file type is GEDCOM, but honestly any Family Tree program will do) Once you have one and have inputted all you know try printing out your family tree. You can see at a glance where you need to 'fill the gaps'. |
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Tell everyone that you are going to try making a family tree, people will love going through old photos with you. Make sure you talk with the older generations, it's sad but true that one day they will not be there. Who knows what little gems they might take to the grave? |
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Haven't got a clue where to start? Then take a look at this handy little website...
The Genealogy Guide Have you always thought the idea of tracing your family history would be interesting but never really got round to doing it? This bright little guide might give you that encouraging push to get started.
This UK based
site is simple to use and provides step-by-step information on getting
started and the sources that are available to help. It also shows you
how to compile your very own family tree and has a useful links section
to help with your research.
STEP #3
The National Archives. UK government records and information management
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm
FreeBMD. Speaks for itself, free searches for Birth, Marriage and Death certificates.
(Index info only - once you find the right entry you need to buy the certificate from the PRO).
It's very easy to use St. Catherine's Index (or free BMD above) and then send away for Birth, Marriage and Death certificates. However if you have the money but not the time try www.bmd-certificates.co.uk an extremely easy, straightforward way to get hold of your certificates from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Also has Links showing
addresses to all Registry Offices!
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Take a look at the LDS website. Get familiar with this websites navigation, you will be using this site a lot. For starters try searching in the 1881 British Isles census, it's all free! Once you have found someone in the census click on Household and see all the residents of that address. Keep going and watch your family tree start to grow! (You will need to verify your findings using other sources as mistakes do happen when transcribing so many names).
STEP #5
A lot like steps #3 & #4, census returns going even further back...
Remember census returns are only as reliable as the person taking the census, spelling mistakes and incorrect assumptions are common.
1837online.com Can't find the GRO reference on FreeBMD? Then try here...
1837online.com is no longer using that name they have expanded their WebSite and renamed it findmypast.com...
Or more recent census returns...
Look back at what you have achieved so far, good eh? Well Done!
Now take a genealogy course, you'll learn to use parish records and your local Archives etc. And it's fun!
Have a look at all of the following websites, there's loads of info out there...
Happy Hunting!
Try simply inputting a name in your favorite search engine, you never know what will pop up!
GENUKI. UK and Ireland listings. Very popular site.
Think you might have some posh ancestors? Take a shufty here; loads of history, not just genealogy. Even if you're not an earl it's a great website to surf around.
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Burke's Peerage and Gentry. The authoritative genealogical publisher of the well known publications - Burke's Landed Gentry and Burke's Peerage and Baronetage.
Burke's database now contains over 1 million individuals, and continues to grow. The database not only provides genealogical information but also information on history, culture and society...
Great new improvements,
Scottish clan names, interactive maps, and loads more!
An absolute must, you have to try this website! A huge amount of info here, very moving if you have lost an ancestor at war.
http://www.spatial-literacy.org/UCLnames/
Surname Profiler 'Surnames as a quantitative resource' Shows the distribution of your surname on a map for 1881 or 1998.
Put 'meat on the bones' and find out how your ancestors lived.
The History Channel. Historical documentary channel packed full of info. The search engine is good here.
The British Library Public Catalogue. This service provides simple searching and ordering of documents from the British Library's extensive collections. The British Library @ http://www.bl.uk/
www.northtyneside.gov.uk/libraries.htm
North Tyneside Libraries. I must mention the helpful people at Wallsend library and its branches - if only because I have to work with them! Seriously, where would we be without local libraries and the inter-library loan scheme.
One of the two most influential non-government websites going, try GenForum especially, it's great...
Genealogy.com. One of many genealogy sites, hugely successful. Runs the following Site:
Genforum. Another popular site, geared around a massive genealogy message board.
(Genealogy.com now host GenForum, see Link above)
Surname message board is a great place to look although it is full of US researchers, UK posting are there but you need to search well.
• The largest collection of
UK family history records online
• Most complete UK Census collection available online (1841-1901)
• The Scottish 1841-61 Censuses
• FREE Birth, Marriage & Death indexes from 1837 to the present day
• Over 580+ million records currently online
• Parish and probate records dating back to the 1500’s
Subscribing: To join NORWAY-L, send an e-mail to NORWAY-L-request@rootsweb.com with the single word subscribe in the message subject and body.
My Norwegian ancestry took me to these sites. You're sure to want to do some research in another land eventually. Give it a go, it's daunting but very rewarding!
Try creating a website, if nothing else it's a good way to organize your findings. Start by using the free webspace you get with your Internet Provider.
