Introduction

Must start this weeks article with an apology, when I looked to see what article was next on my list, I got it wrong it should have been Wills, which followed on from the previous articles, but have decided that as I said that it would be resources, then that is what it will be.

Some of these records you will have to pay to view, others are indeed free. Whilst researching this article, I have come across records which, whilst I was aware of them, not that they could be just accessed online, as individual, or standalone records. I have always looked these up through different programmes.

Where possible I will give as much information as to just how much detail is to be found in these documents. It should also be pointed out that some of these records are very specialised.

Having just read the above note again I realise that have already on this Website given you a number of sources to search for your ancestors, such as Birth, Marriages and Deaths, also the Census, so will restrict this article to the more specialised records, did mention that some do charge, but where possible these mentioned here should all be free to view.

Have not included the URL for these sites, all you need to do should you wish to search or view, is enter the title which I have given on Google.

Beginning Our Search

To start you off, have a look at Free Online Resources, found this by asking Google for “Family History Resources”, at the moment in addition to a number of sites for you to visit, they have four projects on the go which caught my eye: That this site is provided by the Family History Federation is a bonus, and is another site that you could look at, it is well worth a look.

• The National Burial Index
• First World War Conscription Tribunials
• Revision of the Manorial Documents Register
• Lancashire Crew Lists ( This interested me, as for a number of years I provided a wreath for a survivor of this ship, who lived round the corner from me, now sadly passed away)

The following are in alphabetical order:

Clergy of the Church of England Database.

During your research have you found any Vicars, if so this could prove to be something that you might need to look at, it does refer to the period between 1540 and 1835. The list can be searched either by an individual name, or by the Parish. We do have at least one Vicar that we know of in the family, and have already researched him completely. During a Family Reunion we were able to see the Church where he was the Parish Priest, but the coach could not navigate the narrow Cornish Lane, so we were unable to see the inside of the church.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

This site is really amazing, have used it for a number of years, the information that they provide is really wonderful. Find that the site is very easy to navigate, the more information that you can input the better, but having said that, you can usually print out a scroll with the details of your descendant on it, which will enhance your documents or book.

I mentioned that some of the detail is amazing, my wife’s cousin was shot down over Europe, we had some detail, such as he was returning from South Africa, having completed his Aircrew training, when the boat he was in, was hit by a torpedo and sunk, managing to get into a lifeboat, he eventually returned to England, only to be shot down in his Lancaster Bomber. My daughter was fascinated by this, so reached at the War Graves Commission, finding all his details, including a photograph of his grave in Yugoslavia. It is the only crew in the Churchyard, with them all buried next to each other, pleased to say that it is tended by local children, who place fresh flowers on their graves.

For those who live in England you might like to know that there is now a Memorial to Bomber Command crews who lost their lives in the second World War, with all names inscribed on it, located on the Southern outskirts of the City of Lincoln, in the vicinity of South Common, well worth a visit.

England’s Immigrants 1330 -1515, known to have originated from abroad

This is of interest to those who have been able to trace their ancestors, known to have origins from overseas, in this time frame. The database which is fully searchable contains some 64,000 names, allowing those who have found unusual surnames, a possible connection, when they are unable to work out where they originated from.

Family Search

This organisation is said to be largest one in the world as it has records of over three billion names, mainly from Great Britain. When you access online you can view both scanned and indexed images, also details which have been taken from the original documents.

There is a section which is called “Family Tree”, this allows you to sort out and save your research, merge records and more importantly work with others, allowing all parties, to both add information and correct errors. You are encouraged on this site to add the source from where you obtained your data. Also included on this site is the International Genealogical Index or IGI

Free UK Genealogy

This is a Charity which uses volunteers who make transcriptions of family history records. At the moment it has three online databases, namely:

• FreeBMD
• FreeReg
• FreeCen

You are able to search their data free of charge. A full explanation of this service and its projects can be found on the site, including a blog. Realise that we have already covered some locations for these, but felt that more information is always useful to have.

Free BMD

You will not be surprised to learn that the majority of births, marriages and deaths which have been registered since July 1837 in both England and Wales can be searched here.

Free Cen

At the moment the census records from 1841 to 1891 can also be found here

Free Reg

This is a mamouth undertaking, currently the database contains nearly 39 million entries for the birth, marriages and deaths, which have been recorded in the Parish and Non-Conformist Registers of England, Scotland and Wales. If you enter a year range, with type of event for a named person, you could find that elusive ancestor.

Manorial Documents Register

This register gives both the nature and location of Manorial records, as this project is currently being worked on, information is only currently available online for Wales and some of the English Counties.

Amongst my collection of books, I have one entitled, “Owners of Land In Surrey 1873”, found a possible ancestor, which I discounted due to its location, only to find some years later, when reading a will it was in fact my ancestor. They owned a small estate in a little village, miles from where they were known to have lived.

Never stop checking and looking.

For further information you will need to visit the National Archives.

Medieval Soldiers

As a historian, this is a database that I must find time to visit, it lists soldiers who served the English Crown between 1369 and 1453, containing some quarter of a million records, in its fully searchable database. This document also has articles, guides and publications, must be worth a visit if you think that any of your ancestors served the Crown during this period.

Old Bailey 1674 – 1913

This is an edition of texts, which is fully searchable and relates to trials held at the Central Criminal Court in London, some 197,745 criminal trials are listed. Not tried this yet, but it is on my to do list as it could be fun.

Search for Theatrical Ancestors (STAR)

This database which is fully searchable is ideal if you have any of your ancestors who have connections with the Theatre, I found a Great, Great Uncle who was on the boards, searching this database, found that he performed at Windsor Castle, with cast for the King, in 1911.

Now For A look At Some Other Sources

Some Notes From My Archives

To finish off this week’s article I thought that it might be an idea to share with you some notes which I have made over the years on where to find some other resources online. The notes which accompany the source will no doubt be very brief.

Should also point out, that apart from a couple of entries am not sure just how up to date they are, so apologies if they no longer exist.

Archives to Archives (A2A)

This is a Research Catalogue which lists over 400 record offices over England and Wales. The hope is that it will aid researchers to find a record office near to where their ancestors were located, then search the local records for more information.

Ancestors on Board

This is a joint project between the National Archives and Find My Past, well over 24 million ship’s passengers records are available to search online. You are able to view the original lists of passengers who left Great Britain between 1890 to 1960. A truly great source if you wish to find when your ancestor emigrated.

Ancestry 24

This source is for those who wish to trace their South African ancestry, you can register for free, to use the Family Tree Builder, message boards and learning centre, however to view records will require an annual subscription.

Anglo-German Family History Society

This is for anyone who has relatives or ancestors who immigrated from German speaking countries to Great Britain.

Archives Canada

Need to research your Canadian Ancestors, then this is the place to be.

Ancestry

Another site that I have brought to your attention before, again well worth subscribing too, also felt that it would keep some of the more important resources in the same place.

Ellis Island

This enables you to search the passenger lists of those who on emigrating to America, arrived at Ellis Island, another excellent and searchable resource.

Federation of Family History Societies

Popped this in, just in case you want to see what Family History Society you could join, or even start! This is the place to be.



Find My Past

Do realise that this has been mentioned a number of times, but thought that it would serve as a reminder that you can download and sort out so many entries that will help you enhance your family tree. There is a cost but it is one that I honestly think is well worthwhile. I have been a subscriber for a number of years, often paying it a visit to check, or double check some information that I have.

The National Archives

It would be wrong of me not include this absolute diamond in the research world, the chances are that any record that you want, if it has been copied or saved will be here. I have used it on numerous occasions to check War Medal records amongst other items.

The records are free to search, but a fee is charged for copies of documents, the site also offers a lot of helpful advice.

The Public Record Office (PRO) publish a book, I do have a copy, of the records that can be found in both the PRO and the Family Records Centre (FRC). My copy which was published in 2002 has over 525 pages.

National Inventory of War Memorials

The entire online database of some 56,000 War Memorials is fully searchable.

Parish Chest

Not had chance to check if this still exists, but basically it is a Family History go to shop online. Over 150 suppliers, where you can find Family History Societies, Parish CD’s, Books and many other useful items, did use it when I began researching and found it to be very useful, as my shelves of books and CD’s will testify.

Roll of Honour

This site includes more than 2,500 War memorials which are located around the country, they include transcriptions and photographs, some are searchable. Realise that the entry on National War memorials does cover more Memorials, but without the photographs, hence the inclusion of this entry.

Society of Genealogists

Intend to write an article on this wonderful Society in the near future, but felt that mention of it now might just help those who wish to roar ahead in there research. Have been a member for a number of years, when I used to go to London, would always factor in an extra day to spend at S.O.G. There are just countless records on the floors of this archive.

Surname Thesaurus

Stuck on which is the right surname, this could be the site for you, it contains millions of surname variants.

Tombstones and Monumental Inscriptions.

This site will be of interest to those who like to see the graves of their ancestors, but cannot visit them. It includes photographs from graves which are located all over he English-speaking world.

Tracing Your Family History

This is a basic site having links to the tracing of Family History.

UK Surnames

Included this site as many people who research their Family History are interested to learn more about their surname. If you wish to contact someone who has the same surname interest as you do, you will be required to register, it is free to do so.

Was interested in this site, so decided to have a look, could not get connected, but a search reveals a number of sites which could be of interest to you. If this site does not work for you, then Google “UK Surnames”.

Footnote:

You will appreciate that this is just a fraction of the resources that I have in my archives, but felt that these would be the ones of most interest to you at the moment.

Conclusion

Do so hope that you have found this article, on resources, which you can access online to be of use to you. The best advice that I can give is to have a play on Google or other sites to see what you can find.

As always if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you as we value the time that it takes for you to make them.

The next article will be “11 – Wills”.

Be Happy, Healthy and Wealthy.

Stuart

https://familyhistorythestart.com