Any family tree experts?

[davids]

My brother has done well with one branch of the family tracing the back to the early 16 hundreds. But my maternal grandmother's line isn't getting results. Any tips gratefully received.

 

[RufusCat]

I am not an expert but one of the stand outs I found was spelling. I found my families names had been changed numerous times so try a number of variations.

 

[RufusCat]

My brother has done well with one branch of the family tracing the back to the early 16 hundreds. But my maternal grandmother's line isn't getting results. Any tips gratefully received.

See above reply, ta

 

[notrevE5]

I'm an expert but on my family name only

 

[dublinbluenose]

Churches usually kept really good records of marriages etc and are all digitised by now.

Agree with comment above about changes in spelling of surnames. Bit of a nightmare that.

Have loads of patience really, it's pain staking work, but worth it.

 

[witchdoc187]

Where to start if I wanted to get going?

 

[RufusCat]

Where to start if I wanted to get going?

Start with what you know, and know to be right - too many people put details of someone that appears to be a relation. Check with older members of family and use that info as a basis of your search. Once started the American church of Latter Day Saints is a good resource as long as you (try) to double check what they have on line (a little bit like Wikipedia).

 

[Barrowjohn]

I have subscribed to “My Heritage” for the last 2 years and so far back to Great Great Grand Parents on both sides via Census records. The Census records are the key to tracing back family history, however, there are error traps you can go down before you realise you’ve followed an incorrect trail. Things that have sent me down an incorrect route are names- first names and surnames, being mispelt in Census and also some variance in Dates Of Birth. This was quite common amongst the masses when perhaps dates weren't properly recorded and also so many had the same name, Ive discovered a lot of Johns, Edwards, Henry’s James’. You have to use some process of elimination when you discover half a dozen with the same names and “circa” date of birth info. If you are not careful you can pursue a family line that isnt your own.
I have found it interesting, I go through phases when I’ll leave it and go back to it for another stint. The best part is access to records, military, births, deaths, marriages, census (which tells you address, numbers in household, and occupations).
Go for it! “My Heritage” has a “discoveries” feature where it must use data to match up likely connections and also any obvious continuity errors you may make, ie- dates not lining up. Its a useful feature.

 

[davids]

I am not an expert but one of the stand outs I found was spelling. I found my families names had been changed numerous times so try a number of variations.

Found that problem with my Great Grandfather's name, spelling was three different ways on his military records.

 

[davids]

Churches usually kept really good records of marriages etc and are all digitised by now.

Agree with comment above about changes in spelling of surnames. Bit of a nightmare that.

Have loads of patience really, it's pain staking work, but worth it.

Found the Irish side of the family the most difficult to trace. My grandfather's sister either died at one year old in Limerick or in her sixties in Ballymena.

 

[PhilM]

My brother has done well with one branch of the family tracing the back to the early 16 hundreds. But my maternal grandmother's line isn't getting results. Any tips gratefully received.

Let me get back to you because I have a family member who is into this, and she actually volunteered at the registry office for a while.

There's a group of them who would look stuff up for you as a hobby, but I ain't sure if they're still doing it.

 

[BainesontoastNEW]

I am not an expert but one of the stand outs I found was spelling. I found my families names had been changed numerous times so try a number of variations.

This.

I still can't trace my Mum's side because they're Russian. In Soviet Russia, haystack needles you!

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

I am not an expert but one of the stand outs I found was spelling. I found my families names had been changed numerous times so try a number of variations.

Churches usually kept really good records of marriages etc and are all digitised by now.

Agree with comment above about changes in spelling of surnames. Bit of a nightmare that.

Have loads of patience really, it's pain staking work, but worth it.

Surname changes, or variations in spelling, are a huge pain. One letter got added to the name on my Dad's side, threw everything out.

 

[tsubaki]

if anyone is in or visiting London, the Public Records Office at Kew is a great place to visit and the likes of Ancestry (for the censuses) is free there

 

[Swartzy]

My brother has done well with one branch of the family tracing the back to the early 16 hundreds. But my maternal grandmother's line isn't getting results. Any tips gratefully received.

My old man got so stuck in it trying to find half his family from across the pond, that i think it actually becomes addictive.
He did well and found family he didnt know and went over and met up with them, but I had to warn him if he carries on to far he'll realise he's related to my mum..