Genealogy Chat

I never see anybody promoting GR records.
The 1911 census records are just brilliant - my prefered choice for searching.
I have found most of my missing records on there
They can be searched in any way almost like a spreadsheet search by playing around with the names, date end districts.
Easiest way is to first try a surname search only with a plus or minus whatever you want.
I try the whole surname list first and gradually narrow down the years
Found many family records by just searching for a childs name - their DOB's are often more accurate.

You can see an individal's household record, a full household record, the original census with no covered last/disability column - pages can be checked forward/backwards and the numerators records can also be seen as well

Edit info may be added later
Note before anybody shouts: I do use lots of sites for searching and cross checking records like lots of people do but I always check GR records first because this is where I started.
Title changed as well

Well no as I do not use them.

They do not have the London records that I need for my research so I can not promote something that I never use.

A lot of members will have no idea what a spreadsheet is or how to use them.

Good tips if you only have access to GR records.

The 1911 is also held on at least 2 other popular FH sites.
Records poorly transcribed on one site, may be correctly done so on a different one

If members get stuck, then do put up a post on Find Ancestors where other members would be only to happy to help you find the records.

Yes indeedy.

I am sure the best way to show how good the records are and what can be found on them is by demonstration rather than mere words?

So I can only assume that NanaSue will be more than happy to do searches for anyone who can not at present afford a full sub here?

NanaSue, can you have a look for a Harriett Louisa Whetman born 1863 Kingston Surrey for me please?

Other people have tried and failed, though possibly not using GR records. So that will be a good test of how much better than the 'competition' GR records are.

Any census after 1871, a baptism , marriage ...anything of that sort would be good.

I think it would be great if you could put your 15 years genealogy expertise into promoting this site by showing how good it is, and make it even better, by helping newbies and oldies alike.

That would surely encourage everyone to 'promote' this site wherever and whenever asked for recommendations :-)

Most of us use a variety of websites - paying to use the best one for our own research and using other sites for free at local libraries or Family History Society branches. Or ask for help on here.
The Genes 1911 records are now no better or worse than anyone elses so why does anyone need to actively promote it as being better than others.

How lucky Nana Sue is in only needing the one site. How boring that must be - no exasperating headache because the site doesn't have the records needed, the frantic search to find out where you can access the information. And for some of us, no hunting out of the passport because records are only available in the originating place.

I am happy to join with you in promoting UK 1911 census records:

http://www.1911census.co.uk/

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/census/1911/person

http://www.uk1911census.com/?gclid=CLOY-6vM5bYCFYjLtAod5TYAPA

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/1911census

http://www.1911census.org.uk/

http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/1911/


Then there is the Irish 1911 census http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/
and the Canadian etc.

The GR 1911 census records are exactly the same as the FMP census records.

The only difference is the search engine.

On FMP I can search by place, surname variants or without a surname.

The GR search engine is more limited but I believe they are working on that.

For instance i have one surname recorded as Pettengale, Pettengell, Pattingele etc
or Bragginton, Bragington, Brackynton, Brockington, Brag or Brock.

I have also found a whole street in Greenwich omitted on FMP but found it on Ancestry.

I have GR platinum and FMP and Ancestry.

Ancestry has a different search engine again and I can often find family groups on there that have eluded me on other sites.

GR is a great place for discussing Genealogical problems and making contacts but is not the only source of information.

That is why at least two members of the team use Ancestry as well as GR. I know this as I have helped them.

Can I just add, Is it possible to only use a single source (GR) and have a comprehensive and accurate family tree without using other resources?

or

Are we talking about a simple tree with limited info?

Roy

Thats the reason I had to use another site after paying for the gold membership (no wild card or first name search).....my surname quite unusual 7 letters but only three were correct (not in the right order)

When I eventually found them they were corrected on FMP which then transfered the correction to GR's records.

So when I said "Maybe they do not like using the records" replying to a question to you....which was then reported and I was given a warning....I was speaking from experience

For someone who also uses ancestry I do not know what your problem is.....My family is also from LONDON see my researching box.. GR do not have those records either

As someone with mainly London and Liverpool ancestors the records on here would be a total waste of my hard earned cash.

I am a Basic Member on here (with no tree)
Full on FMP
Full on Ancestry

This combination serves me very well and I would no more promote one site over another as each site has its merits depending on what you are looking for.

I think NanaSue is being very naive to think that this site would suit all researchers. :-)

Personally as I do not have access to any of GR's records It would therefore be quite improper of me to promote GR's records.

There is no doubt that the 1911 census of England and Wales can indeed be very useful to those researching people who were alive when it was taken. I cannot however honestly say whether GR's 1911 census presentation or search engine is any better or worse than on any other.

Speaking purely personally I choose to access the 1911 census either via my memberships of Ancestry and Find My Past. The first site to carry the 1911 census was www.1911census.co.uk and in my mind their search form/engine is still the most efficient I know of when it comes to locating "Lost" individuals. This is because its "Advanced" search form offers so many possible different facts that can be utilised in the search, such as variant spellings of both surname and forename, number of years married, other household members (Including name variants), ect.

I'm sure that the records GR offers access to, (I believe that strictly speaking they do not own any records), are quite good. It would however be quite unrealistic and naive to believe that those records alone would be sufficient to enable anyone, newbie or experienced genealogist, to fully trace anyone's family history. It is for that very reason why all but the inexperienced family history researchers usually have memberships of other genealogy sites or seek helpful information from those that do.

GR's greatest asset and strength is its message boards where such help can be found. GR to its credit acknowledges that fact by permitting such requests, by allowing mention by name of the sites where any answers were found, and by acknowledging the help that members give to one another.

Jonesey I'm gobsmacked - what kind of membership of GR do you have then if you don't hve access to any GR records :-0 :-0 :-0

NS, You appear to think it impossible for anyone to be able to do their family tree without using GR records?

You claim to have been doing Genealogy for 15 years? GR never had records until resent times so how did you manage before GR

I will answer that for you,......The same way as the rest of us by using "other sites" and trips to local archives some time having to use holidays because the info required was miles away

Much of my family traveled to places like the US, Canada and Australia, GR even today don't hold such records

As has been said by me and others a thousand times GR's biggest streinght is the community boards

Roy

NS

Stop being so utterly ridiculous...............you make yourself a laughing stock

Thank you for editing that the title had changed; I did not remember seeing "GR's".

If, as you claim, you've been researching for 15 years, you couldn't have STARTED with GR

NS,

I am a fee paying Standard member of GR.

I do not need access to any records that Platinum membership of GR would provide me with as all those records plus many many more are already available to me via free sites that I visit or those sites that I subscribe to. There is no point in paying twice for the same thing.

I believe that you will find that the majority of serious family historians or genealogists who are members of GR employ a similar strategy when it comes to which site(s) to subscribe to.

Now that I have answered your question would you care to answer one of mine?

Just lately I have noticed that you have frequently been spotted standing on a soapbox extolling the virtues of GR whilst at the same time often berating any other member whose view differs from your own or who happens to mention a competitor of GR in their post or title. Why are you doing that? Are you just seeking the limelight or are you hoping GR will one day offer you a job in GR's offices which would of course be handy with you living just down the road?

Goodness me Jonesey, you beat me to it - I was working out how to phrase a very similar query. :-)

Oh by the way, today I was reminded by GR that I still have 30 credits left but that they are due to expire on 27th. These are the credits I, and many others, were awarded last year due to the problems the site was experiencing at the time.


I have never used a GR credit in my life - most of my research was done before records appeared on here.


Anyway, I have just looked at the parish records - which are my speciality - to see what was held on my maternal grandfather.

Nothing.

Zilch.

Zero.


Funny really, when I know for a fact that his records and those of his forebears back to c1600, are precisely recorded on the Medway City Ark site and are free to view.


Would anyone like 30 credits - to be used by 27th?

Jonesey, as indicated by Cynthia, Your not alone in your thoughts ;-)

Well said

Roy