General Chat

Hi all If you type in CENSUS 1851 in your search box on your home page there are quite a few counties and organisations that have transcribed their own area. The whole census is not online like the 1881 and the 1901. Vera, Manchester LAN

Its definately worth looking at the records at archives. A lot of the stuff online has ommisions and mistakes plus you can search the census for free. Im lucky most branches of my family have lived locally for centuries so I can use the archives here. I'd love to be near the PRO Ali,Staffs

Did anyone manage to find this? I can only find back to 1901 online, also I was thinking of going to the Public Records Office in London? Has anyone been and got anywhere, is it worth it?

Hi, I may have the 1851 Census on an old disc as I used it for my History degree 2 yrs ago - will have a search and let you know if I find it then I'll send you a copy. Vicky

Hi All: I'm new to this too. The funny thing is I used to work in Kingsways, London in the 60s a stone's throw from Somerset House where the records were then kept. I had absolutely no interest in my family tree. Alas, now that I am much older and wiser I have a passion for finding my roots. I came home to England a couple of years ago and paid a visit to the PRO in north London, didn't fare very well, but when the 1901 census finally came on line I managed to find my great grand parents and consequently my grandfather on my mother's side who was 17 at the time. But I'm stuck there and will have to make another trip some time soon to continue. I think I need my parent's marriage certificate to get some more information. I am so impressed that you have managed to get so far back in just three weeks, congratulations. Any tips on my research will be very welcome from those of you who have been at this for considerably longer than me. Although I list in Canada, my heritage is English; I emigrated in 1977. Gladys Latty, British Columbia, Canada

Thanks for your replies and yes I have managed to prove it with parish records and wills! Fortunately that side of my family comes from the village that I now live in and there is a fabulous local family history group with loads of resources. Good hunting Ginny

Hi all, just a comment on Vera's quite correct word of caution. Many people have built a Fantasy Tree instead of a Family Tree because they jumped to conclusions or didn't check the originals. However having said that I was stuck at 1888 for years. Then one visit to the County Record Office at Northallerton and Bingo! I was back to 1676! Good luck all of you. Jim, Gosport, Hants

Virginia Wow - how did you manage that? You must have been working non-stop. Seriously though, have you proved what you have found (on the Internet????)by double checking the indexes, census and parish records? I have heard of someone who 'created' his family tree right back to Adam & Eve. But could he have proved it? I very much doubt it. As for the 1851 census. I do not know if it is online, but try the Birmingham & Midland (www.bmsgh.org) Family History Society, they may have it. I sincerely hope that you have found your family tree branches and wish you all the best in your research. Vera B, Manchester, LAN

Hi Does anyone know if the 1851 Census is available on line (specifically for West Bromwich) ? Cheers. PS have only been doing this for 3 weeks and have managed to get back to 1690 on one side of the family!!!