Genealogy Chat

Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong!! FreeBMD has NEVER come up with a result for me whatever I try! Also, I have heard many bad things about Ancestry. Is it worth me signing up and what is it going to cost me?!

FreeBMD only goes up to about 1920 at the moment so if you're looking for anything after that date you might not find it.

Sometimes it's best to put in less information - if you put in too much it doesn't always seem to find it.

Who (and when) are you looking for?

Jill

p.s. I have Ancestry and think it's excellent. Have you tried the 2 week free trial period?

I don't know what 'bad things' you have heard about Ancestry, but I wouldn't be without it.

If you look at freebmd's home page where they detail their coverage, you will know which records are available, and which aren't.............

The transcribing is being done by volunteers, and the info they are providing is being updated regularly

Post an example, Shani, and somebody will check for you and see what you are doing wrong, if anything!

What are the bad things you have heard about Ancestry?

For many of us it is the "De-facto" site. A tad expensive, perhaps, but if you are a serious researcher you can not do without it.

On I think it is the tips board lots of people have posted things about ancestry freezing etc and people arent getting results. Maybe it is just a blip at the moment. I have just signed up for my 2 week trial and have had a quick look. Not finding it as simple to use as Genes!!! I'll persevere! I tend to get overwhelmed with too much information!!

What are you trying to look for Shani?

Christine

Shani

If GR is the 1st site you have 'played' with then it's understable your struggling with Ancestry......

Keep with it!.....explore Ancestry....it's much better than any other site. You just have to find your way around.....it takes time......

PATIENCE.....

If you get stuck...ASK ON HERE!..give names/dates and countys.

Gerri x

Shani,

How can we tell you what you are doing wrong on FreeBMD unless you tell us whom you are searching for and what you are doing?

Peter

erm hello, sorry stupid here.. just read this,what is FreeBMD ? & how do i get it Please

Shaznie, FreeBMD is a free transcription of the English/Welsh BMD index, it is fully searchable and is currently "Work in Progress" as we volunteers are transcribing the information into a database. It is more or less complete for births up to 1927, deaths into the 20's and the same for marriages. Eventually our aim is to complete the index up until 1983 when it became fully searchable anyway.

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/

Where do I start, this is so confusing and only one branch of my complicated family.
Born John Hodson in Surrey NE, 1939 mothers name Barbara Hodson nee Sugdon. He was adopted by his step fathers sister (?!) Eleanor Robinson. Then Johns mum went on to have 2 daughters with William Wirthmiller (one being my mum)
Also I get stuck with my great grandfather John Wirthmiller. I think he came over from Austria as thats where he was from and doesn't appear in the 1901 census here. He married Eleanor Ames and had 3 children, Denis, William and Eleanor (who adopted her brother Williams stepson John Hodson). No member of the family ever communicated with another and I think most are dead now. Eleanor then went on to have a natural born son Andrew Robinson and the story is John then left never to be heard of again. My mum (Williams daughter) would love to meet her long lost brother and cousin.
I won't confuse with any more members of my family just yet!

You won't find a birth for 1939 on FreeBMD. You need to look at the complete birth index on a site like Ancestry or Findmypast (which are pay per view) or look at the complete index at a library or records office for free.

Ancestry is playing up at the moment so I can't look for you.

Kath. x

Whilst Kath is correct in that, generally speaking, you are unlikely to find names on Free BMD for this period, I can confirm that there are names on there which are far more recent, so do have look, just in case.

For example, if you do a search for the surname Baggott, 1950 onwards there are over 3,200 - too many to display. Try 1955 as a start date and you will see pages and pages right up to the end of 1983.

This is exceptional, I know, and is because the name has been transcribed almost in its entireity by researchers and members of the Baggott family, rather than by the normal transcribers.

'Normal' transcriptions seem to go up to the late 20's now. I know that my mum and her brothers and sisters have all appeared in the past few months.

JFM 1939 Hodson John E MMN Sugdon
Surrey NE 2a/201

You mention two Eleanors.........then somehow seem to suggest that they are the same person..........have I misinterpreted your posting?

Marriage?
Eleanor Ames 1909 Alnwick Northumberland
John Wirthmiller 1909 Alnwick Northumberland

Name: Dennis Wirthmiller
Year of Registration: 1916
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Mother's Maiden Name: Ames
District: Elham
County: Kent
Volume: 2a
Page: 1997

Name: Eleanor Myriel Wirthmiller
Year of Registration: 1910
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Elham
County: Kent
Volume: 2a
Page: 1125

Name: William J Wirthmiller
Year of Registration: 1913
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
Mother's Maiden Name: Ames
District: Elham
County: Kent
Volume: 2a
Page: 2226

Denis/Dennis is in the London phone book on Ancestry up to 1969

Here is the reference for the marriage:

Marriages Mar 1909
AMES Eleanor Alnwick 10b 595
WIRTHMILLER John Alnwick 10b 595

I found this by entering

surname: Ames
first name: El*
spouse surname: Wirth*

This was to allow for differences in spelling.

I then looked for Wirthmiller births (left first names blank) from 1911 onwards when the mothers maiden name is on the index and got these

Births Jun 1913
Wirthmiller William J Ames Elham 2a 2226

Births Mar 1916
Wirthmiller Dennis Ames Elham 2a 1997

Then I found the other birth in the same registration district

Births Jun 1910
WIRTHMILLER Eleanor Myriel Elham 2a 1125

Hope this helps to get you started. Certificates can be ordered on line from the GRO for seven pounds. The marriage certificate for 1909 will give you John and Elenors fathers names which will help find them on the 1901 census.

Selena