Genealogy Chat

Yes I totally agree with you Kathy - I think GR has got less user friendly.

Jeryl
I too miss the fact that you used to be able to type in the possible name of a spouse when searching marriage records. I was also wondering why Genes had taken this option off.
I seem to experience more problems when searching these days, than before, so I don't think things have necessarily gotten easier.
I've also started to used the FreeBMD, found it quite helpful. Also I sometimes struggle to succeed when searching on GR and something which I know to be definitely correct sometimes comes back with no results - very confusing. I then go on to Ancestry and/or Free BMD and type the same thing in and I come up trumps, but because I'm not a paid member on Ancestry I cant view every detail. So I think GR need to step up their game a bit.
Kathy S :-)

I don't use the records on here but had some credits to get rid of

I put in my gt grandfathers name and date he married it asked me if I wanted to pay to view...5 credits took the credits and didn't tell me who he married

Either I have done something wrong or I have just been ripped off :-D

Thanks everyone. I am getting to grips with what is out there. It is a shame that Genesreunited has removed the possible spouses as it was very useful - don't know why they did that.

For user friendliness the FreeBMD site must win hands down.

It does what is say on the box, and is so versatile when you need to put in minimum info.

Like most on here, never heard of it, but once found never left alone. Spent days on there when I first discovered it. Its great... :-D

I agree, if you have not been told about the free sites how are you supposed to know about them?

When I first started helping on the boards an experienced helper said why wasn't I using freebmd? my reply was" I pay for Ancestry why do I want to use that"

Really I did not know what freebmd was and had no idea how to access it :-D

Now I use it all the time and find it a lot easier than Ancestry and FMP

Freebmd was a revelation when I eventually found out about it, but it is worthwhile belonging to a pay site as well as a backup, records do get missed from either site.

A lot of trial and error as research continues and more free sites are revealed, but why is coverage nearly always for the counties I don't want.

And always worthwhile reading the hints and tips on the boards here.

When we start this hobby, we do tend to join a site and presume that all available records will be on it.

It does take experience and reading of community boards to realise that there are free sites available.

I joined GR as I'd heard about it on the radio. At that time they didn't hold any records. Census were accessed by pre-paid vouchers.

It took an experienced contact to tell me about other sites, some free, some subscription! (I'm still learning ;-) )

I am still amazed that people use Pay for sites for BMDs, especially those using credits!!!

I have full Ancestry and FMP, but my first port of call is always FreeBMD. My last resort is FamilySearch (find it a bit annoying and end up shouting at the screen!!!)

Have never used FreeReg, so cannot comment on that.

BUT USE THE FREE SITES

County Norfolk
Place Attleborough
Church St Mary
RegisterNumber 186
MarriageDate 09 Oct 1850
GroomForename JOHN
GroomSurname TURNER
GroomCondition Bachelor
GroomOccupation Blacksmith
GroomAbode Attleborough
BrideForename Emily
BrideSurname GAYFORD
BrideCondition Spinster
BrideOccupation
BrideAbode Attleborough
GroomFatherForename John
GroomFatherSurname TURNER
GroomFatherOccupation Blacksmith
BrideFatherForename James
BrideFatherSurname GAYFORD
BrideFatherOccupation Farmer
WitnessOneForename Robt. S
WitnessOneSurname CLARKE
WitnessTwoForename Elisth.
WitnessTwoSurname CLARKE
Notes Other Witnesses - Joseph Parker And Jn. A Turner
FileNumber 16849

http://www.freereg.org.uk/cgi/Search.pl

The same record from https://familysearch.org/search

Name: John Turner
Spouse's Name: Emily Gayford
Event Date: 09 Oct 1850
Event Place: Attleborough, Norfolk, England
Father's Name: John Turner
Spouse's Father's Name: James Gayford
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I04815-5
System Origin: England-EASy
GS Film number: 1595516
Reference ID: item 1 p 93

Both are transcribed from the same parish record book, but the freereg version gives more of the recorded details.

Both sites are free to use.

When you click on the page number, as advised by jax, you will see

Marriages Dec 1850 (>99%)
BUNNETT James Wayland 13 947
Ettridge Mary Ann Wayland 13 947
Gayford Emily Wayland 13 947
PATRICK Francis Wayland 13 947
Rider John Wayland 13 947
Scarf Louisa Wayland 13 947
Smith Mary Ann Wayland 13 947
TURNER John Wayland 13 947

Click on the blue numbers 947

I am on http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl I have clicked on marriages, filled in first and surname together with spouse first name and a date range, clicked on all districts and county of Norfolk then Find.
I get back
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Dec 1850 (>99%)
TURNER John Wayland 13 947

Is this correct? There is no list of possible spouses

Persevere.......it really is very easy when you're used to it.

What are you finding difficult?

It used to be a lot easier to search for anything on Genesreunited - there was also the facility to order by date and by place but this seems to have disappeared. Having a great deal of difficulty working out how to use freebmd - being a bit dim I guess.

freebmd for all records from 1837 to approx 1955.........after that,one of the others, but they have to be paid for

But, in any case, the spouse's surname is recorded on the index after 1911

On freebmd, all you need to do is enter the name of the person you are researching, and choose which type of record you wish to view

Oh, I just looked at freebmd but have not worked out what I need to do yet. Which is the best option?

I never, ever, use GR for research....................there are so many other options

Looking via genesreunited

On which site?

And in which records?

The possible spouses are listed on freebmd marriage records.............and on Ancestry..........and FMP