Genealogy Chat

To knock down my 'brick wall' I need to visit my home county. Would it be better to make an apptmt to visit the county record office there and research my missing family . Or - would I find the missing links at the parish churches where rellies married ? Thanks in advance Ros

Hi there, very few churches have the records on site and it is unlikely you could get to see them even if they had as the Church Warden would have to be present/time wise it could be difficult to fit in with your day. The best thing to do is to google for the records office. They all have websites which will tell you where, when and how. And you will be able to see what records and facilities they have. You shouldnt need to make an appointment but get there early to make the most of the day. They will be very helpful and tell you how to look up the records you want and help out with microfiche readers and microfilm. Dont forget to take your glasses if you need them a notebook and a couple of pencils (most offices ban pens). Write in your notebook exactly what you are hoping to look up otherwise you could get distracted. When you are in the area, of course call and see the churches and check out gravestones etc. and if you are lucky you may even get to see inside! I was brilliantly lucky - the church warden at my ancestors church had hung on to the parish registers and I could actually see my ancestors names and even touch their signatures or x mark! Amazing experience. So google for the records office first and then check out any websites for the churches you want to visit to see if the warden has a phone number you can contact. Good luck!

Thanks Jenny and TC I am going for a week, to visit rellies (living ones LOL!!!) so will ring records office before I go and see what info they would have. Also will visit churches, as much for the spiritual experience of walking in the footsteps of my ancestors as anything else. I appreciate your replies. Ros

Rosalie, do google for the info on office and churches, it will help you so much. A whole week, how lovely. I do hope the churches can be opened for you (The warden will usually hover near the donations box as you leave - so have a tenner or something handy!) Have a lovely time!

All three Records Offices I have been to require some form of ID, one of them I needed passport photos. So find out before you go. Some places you will need to book a fiche reader, others not. As TC said, find out before you go.

Hi TC, have been on the site since I last posted reply. Jenny , will enjoy mooching round the churchyards, what a sad child I must have been, I used to wander around gravestones all the time as I was fascinated by the names on them ! Still am !!!LOL. Geoff, will they accept new driving licence. i.e. with photo ? Perhaps I should take passport, as going out of own adopted county!!!!! Hugs to u all. Ros

Hi Ros, backing up Geoff's advice. You may need a utility bill as a passport does not prove your address as I found out when I went to Norwich. It wasn't a problem in my case as they offered me a day ticket - I just couldn't get a 3 year reader's ticket. Though I have to say if the proof of home address was that important I don't understand why they gave me a temporary pass? Simon And another important tip is to take a lunch because most Archive centres offer little more than plastic sandwiches, crisps, chocolate and machine generated drinks. Make notes of any microfische and microfilm you look at and also, even though microfische and microfilm may appear to be copies of the same documents this is not always the case. I found stuff on microfilms that according to the indexes should have been on the microfische but wasn't. I also find microfilm better quality and easier to read than microfische. Finally ask the staff. They are usually extremely friendly, helpful and will direct you to sources of information that you would never find on your own in a month of Sundays.

Hi Rosalie If your relatives live near to where your ancestors lived you could try the libraries in the local towns as many of them have films of parish registers and books of local interest. Heather

Thanks Hill Billy, Heather. et al. Hugs to you all in gratitude for the advice. All I have to do now is remember it! (Seriously have written it down. )Will let you know how I get on, in due course, on general board. regards Ros