Genealogy Chat

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Has anyone ever considered checking out the Historic Environment Record (or Sites and Monuments Record) in the area their ancestors are from? I know it may seem like a bit of a sideways step (and I'm sure there are plenty of you out there going eh?) but it might be worth a look. More and more Historic Environment Records are being put online for you to search. I know that Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Northumberland and Durham to mention just a few and thats not including the national registers of sites online for England (National Monument Record or NMR), Scotland (Canmore) and Wales. Although coverage and content varies from database to database you might be lucky in picking out the odd gem. More and more of these databases are listing listed buildings for example, or sites marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey maps alongside prehistoric, roman & medieval sites. Some genealogists and family history researches have realised that this resource exists and might provide them with additional information. It can be a bit of a long shot sometimes, but you never know. Besides, even if you can't find anything that might be linked to your family I'm sure many of you have started developing an interest in buildings and locations that may have been around at the same time as your ancestors such as the local church. HERs are not just for archaeologists!

And if anyone fancies playing Pastscape (covers England) http://www.pastscape.org.uk/homepage/index.html RCAHMS (covers Scotland and you do need to sign up but its free. The database is called Canmore) http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/ RCAHMW (covers Wales and is available in English and Welsh. The database is called Coflein) http://www.rcahmw.org.uk/

Sarah You have put new blood into me! Sick to death of looking for the original site of the Manor of Holden - although it is extremely well documented, it never ACTUALLY says exactly where it is, on the basis, I suppose, that it was so big and so well-known that everyone knew where it was! Followed many a false lead on this over the years, but you have just given me a new possibility. I do know that the old Manor of Holden, that is the original one, has a pre-mediaeval barn, the oldest still standing in Britain but I can't pin this down either. Off I go, picking up the scent - thanks again! Olde Crone

If my message tonight has persuaded only one person to consider looking at this resource then I feel it's been well worth it :) Your taxes are paying for these databases and you are allowed access to them, so why not take advantage of that?

Thanks for this - it's something else to look at. I'm posting this so I can find the thread again later. Kath. x

Thanks Sarah, Well worth having a look. Kathy

If anyone wants any further details about this sort of thing, don't hesitate to contact me.

Many thanks Sarah, will def have a look.

Just adding my name so I can find this thread and have a play when I come in from work. Tina

Thanks for this. The English site is as English Heritage resource. It's more interesting in that there are direct links from the info on a building (e.g. Portchester Castle) to an old map - and other resources. Thanks Christine PS you don't need the brackets for these addresses: http://www.pastscape.org.uk/homepage/index.html it's only if you have a (dot) followed directly by any word starting CO.

Adding so I can find later. :o) Thank you. Claire xx

English Heritage are an excellent source for information on buildings etc. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ A visit to the National Monuments records at Swindon is very worthwhile if you have the opportunity, the staff are very helpful and I found their service second to none. Pictures ordered arrived well within the two week time scale stated, before I had even been invoiced the charges. Anyone making a visit would be well advised to contact them first to make sure what you are interested in is readily available. Some of the archives are held under controlled conditions, they have to go through a process which takes twenty-four hours to be brought to viewing conditions, it takes as long again for them to be returned to store. Jennifer

Sarah, Would you please confirm the address for the English site. I keep getting 'this page cannot be displayed'. Thanks, M. Steer

www.english-heritage.org.uk If you still have a problem, simlpy put Engliah Heritage into Google, the official site shows at the top of the results page. Jennifer

I was getting paranoid about people not being able to see the web addresses :) I've now updated my previous message by removing the unecessary brackets! The Pastscape website is the online version of the National Monument Record in case anyone was wondering.

Found it, just a nudge

nudge

Just been given some URLs that might be of help to some of you out there! Highland SMR http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/index.jsp Cheshire HER http://www2.cheshire.gov.uk/Archaeology/RCP/RevealingCheshiresPast.htm Durham & Northumberland have a joint website (although the two HERs operate separately) http://www.keystothepast.info Warwickshire SMR http://timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/