Genealogy Chat

so if i go to one of these places to find a wedding would it give me more imfo than whats on a wed cert
fran

n.

n

nudge for Margaret Weaver

nudge for later Chris

nudge for future use Y

Nudge thank you Pat.

hi amanda, thanks will save for when i go elaine

nudge for Pat

nudge for Kate

When searching older parish records, be flexible with regard to the spellings of names. Until the mid 19thC many ordinary people would not have been able to write. Their names and details would have been written and spelt according to how they sounded to the vicar/priest - much the same as with census information given to the enumerator. You might find a surname spelt differently in the records of neighbouring parishes or in the same parish records but by different priests at different times. A different spelling doesn't mean they're not the right people or not related to another family with the same surname, but spelt differently.

If note taking is a problem for you, invest in a basic digital camera. As long as you ask first, they will let you photograph many things. You can then review your 'finds' at your leisure and save them onto your computer. Do ask first, though.

If, like me, you suffer from motion sickness, you may find that using the microfilm/fiche readers makes you feel a bit sick. Try to avert your face rather than look at the screen as you wind on/off, as watching the images go by at speed can be a problem. Wind on slowly and even move the reels by hand rather than using the buttons as this slows things down a lot. Take regular breaks, stretch your legs and pop outside for fresh air if need be.

Don't forget to take the correct pair of specs with you! The last time I went I forgot the pair I use for the computer and microfiche screen. Varifocal wearers will know the sort of crick I had in my neck after a few hours at the microfiche with my head tipped back to see properly!! Anne

Thank you, Amanda. When I have had photocopies made at a records office, the charge has been about 10p per page. Also, not all charge for lockers for coats etc.

Frances, there is no fee to actually get into the centres (or not any that I've been to) and the reader's card is free and is valid for four years. Once you have one, you can use the same card at a lot of other centres. The £1.00 that you put in your locker (if the centre has lockers), you get back: it's just a deposit. I'm not sure how much things like scans cost, but photocopies are usually cheap. If you are copying a page from a book for instance, it would cost the same as you might pay anywhere for a standard photocopy - about 10p. You can save a lot of money on buying marriage certificates by asking for a copy of an entry from a parish record. A marriage certificate ordered from a local registry office or the GRO costs £7.00 and the price of return postage. If you don't know the date of the marriage, they will charge an additional fee for looking it up for you. A scan/photocopy from a local records centre costs about £1.00. Of course, you don't have to have any of these: I hardly ever do. I just make lots of notes. In that case, all it will cost you is the transport cost of getting there! I hope you enjoy your first visit. Amanda x

thank you for a brilliant right up ive never been to a centre, one day id like to get to get to one. money wise how much would i need to take? fran

Just adding to this so that i can find it again when I go on my first trip. Thanx for all the tips everyone!!! Clare x

* It's as important to wash your hands AFTER handling old documents/books as before. If they haven't been treated they can contain harmful micro organisms that can lead to nasties like eye infections if transferred to your fingernails.

* Review and collate the information you've found at the earliest opportunity whilst it's still fresh in your mind. Compare the new info with notes you've made on previous visits to see if anything that didn't make sense last time does now, in light of the new information.