Genealogy Chat

Has any body please got any adivse on how I can fill in, or find, information on my ancestors between the census years and then forward from 1901? Ive got marriages and births after 1901 I would just like to find out more information on the people in my tree, not just the little snap shot of one night in every 10 years. My ancesters are prodominantly from Shropshire and Yorkshire. Any tips would be gratefully received Thank you Rebecca

Rebecca, I filled in some of the gaps between the census using the trade directories was able to find where they lived and what they did for a living. Try historical directories dot org. Regards, Heather

I found getting wills very informative and it gave a picture of my ancestors' lives. It tells you who they were close to and what possessions they had.

I am mainly from farmers - will that still apply? One side seem to have been the labourers or rented farms/land, the other employed people to help them farm their land. Thank you

I found children who had been born and died between the census years by looking at the parish records. Reports from the local newspaper have also given lots of extra information. Pat

Rebecca Where there is a Farmer, there is a Will! Farmers are canny people and would not risk a lifetime's work going to the wrong person. My farming lot all made Wills and they are little gems, stretaching back to the 1600s and giving me names, relationships and so on, that I might never have known. They also often give you a sharp insight into what was REALLY going on in the family 'and to my son Christopher I leave one shilling as he has already cost me five guineas to bring him into the country' 'and to my adopted niece Jane Bloggs I leave my entire estate'. Adopted niece, my foot, she was his illegitimate daughter! OC

Hi Where do you get information about the wills? Regards Meryl

I think Ive seen a Wills bit on national archives???

Ive got most of my births, although there are a few who I have on census info but cant find a birth for, and deaths and marriages, I'd just like to put a bit more meat on my rellies rather than just name, born, wife/hubby, died. Thanks for the suggestions :o)

Local newspapers are another wonderful resource. The more local the better, as the very local ones often have endless gossip and trivia in them. School records too, if you can find them, and church magazines. OC

OC, how do I find old school records and local papers? Especially if the areas are no where near where I am now? R x

County Records Offices, and local archives. A nuisance if you have to do it at a distance, but not impossible. Most CROs now have on line catalogues. Also, check out the LDS library catalogue for publications about the area you are interested in. Although you cannot always borrow these books from the LDS, you can make a note of them and get your local library to order them for you. Generally reading about the area often produces some interesting results and suggests further areas to research. OC

Thank you OC, you've been a star and a wonderful resource of knowledge - Have YOU thought about writing a book for all of us who get stuck from time to time? Night fokes R