me and I will try to help!Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs are a collection of some of the questions that occur during the course of family history research.
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me and I will try to help!
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1. The first place after having gained as much information that may be available from your own family sources, is the County Record Office for the place where your ancestors lived, after that it will depend on what you find. The most common sources are Parish Registers and Census Returns.
The best places to look for early records are at County Record Offices where most parish registers and other documents appertaining to the inhabitants are now deposited for safe keeping. All registers have been or are in the process of being microfilmed, additionally where other documents are thought to be in greater demand, they too are microfilmed. Churchwardens Accounts, The Enclosure Awards, Land Tax Accounts are just some of those that record names of parishioners.
The reasons why so many records appear to end at this era is the aftermath of the Civil War, Rebellion and other National & International problems affecting our relationships with Europe and the Americas. Record keeping was not at its premium and there were not many who were literate enough anyway or even motivated to the task. The possibility of connection during this century and beyond is mostly a matter of luck, but perseverance can pay off.
You will have to employ the services of a transcriber. County Record Offices are the best source for this enquiry and if they are unable to undertake the task will advise as necessary.
The Domesday Book is a record of the first "Census-Like" survey ordered by William I in 1086 AD. Each county was surveyed to record all land, its extent and owner/s at that time, in many cases the original Saxon owner/s are given to prove title. Books for each county have been transcribed and published by Phillimore in 1980.
In 1801 all parishes made what was then classed as a "Population Return" . Some did not bother and most that did were hand written by one of the parish officers chosen for the task. Some are easily read but many are not and it was not until 1841 that forms were produced so that all information was uniform. There were some census-like assessments made before 1801 but were more of private nature to the locality than a national requirement. Additionally there are Manorial Rolls recording those who lived and/or worked on the estate and some were compiled during the period 1801 to 1841. At present the 1881 census has been reproduced by the Church of The Latter Day Saints on CD-ROM and the 1901 census is available for searching and the download of search results. Other firms have produced census returns on CD-ROM for various counties whilst some of the west counties of England have been transcribed as enumerated, links to these sites are listed on my links page.
