Genealogy Chat

Can anyone help. Trying to find my G Grandfather's birth on 1837 online but doesn't appear to be included. Where else can I search? His name is William Palmer born in Dorchester, Dorset c1856/7. Because you are all so good I would appreciate your help.

Heather, I have the same problem with my GG Grandmother. She was born in 1857 in Pill, Somerset, her name was Emma Bassell and I cannot find anything out about her until she married my GG Grandfather. Can't find her birth family either. M.

Heather I've the same problem with two of mine, know the baptism dates but struggling to find birth date, trouble is I am unable to get to the areas in question, to search local records. Keep hoping that one day they will appear. Anne

occasionally there's a birth cert but it didn't get into the GRO index. In that case the only way to find it is to try the local register office for the district trawl the parish registers for baptisms -- you probably won't get the mother's maiden surname, but if you can find some siblings you might be able to get a birth cert for one of those also try to find the family in the 1861 census, and 1871. And try the 1851 if there are siblings born before 1851. As well as useful siblings there may be in-laws in the house at one time or another if you can't get to where the films are, try the Records Office board if there weren't any siblings you might still find enough clues to pick the parents' marriage

now I know I'm not alone!! Robin, how do I find 1871, 1861 census? You seem to be in the know. Heather

Libraries with local studies sections usually have the films for their own area, and the FRC in London has the full set Indexes, transcriptions and scanned images are available for some counties and not others, from various firms and from FHSes. Beware of firms pre-advertising CDs they might not release for years

Thank you all for the information, unfortunately not the right William Palmer as I know his father's name is Henry, I have not found any siblings as yet, this is causing real problems. Until I can find him I cannot go further with my research. Would like to thank you all for your time in trying to help me. Heather x

Hi I have got the same problem I can't find a birth or any siblings I do know this person died between 1889-1891 but cant even find a death cert. and I have tried everywhere Margaret

Heather Did you find him on the 1881 census if so which one was he. I have checked for Henry Palmer in Dorset and found 6 one possible Henry 55 born Waterson occupation Gardener, Fanny 56 born littlemayne, Louisa 20 born Godmanstone, all living Dorchester all sts. Not check the others to see how near Dorchester is to them. Did another check and found one living in Middx Henry 46 born Sherbourne Printer Compositor, Elizabeth 42 born Dorchester, Mary Lake mother in Law 83 born Dorchester. Some times they didn't put the parish only the District they were born in and it depends what question they were asked, where are you from and not where were you born. I think this must be the answer to why they differ in different birth places on different censuses. Irene

Irene No I cannot find William Palmer on the 1881 census. What I know is William Palmer born around 1856/57 in Dorchester, Dorset. His father's name was Henry but I don't know where Henry was born as the family seemed to move around. Am I right in thinking the only census on line are 1881 and 1901? Other than that I think I am going to have to try parish records but not sure how I go about that either, (still rather new at this game). Heather

Heather, Will have to try and narrow it down for you, do you have William's marriage his father is Henry do you have Henry's occupation it should be on William's marriage cert. That will help. What census have you found him on so far. 1901 Pro site free to view one person but not all details 1891 Ancestry there are some on this site that may look for you if you ask 1881 IGI free to veiw all details 1871 Ancestry not all on yet I feel if you can find him with his father in the 1871 census that would help. But he may not have been born in Dorcester. Bear that in mind just use it as a possible area, I feel they may have asked where are you from and not born. Irene

Irene I have Williams marriage certificate he was married for the second time in July 1899 it just says William Palmer on certificate and he has signed himself as such (I picked up on his middle name of Edward from his sons (my grandads) marriage certificate. I found the whole family on the 1901 census William, his new wife Elizabeth two sons by a previous marriage and their child who is our grandad, it states on there his birth place as Dorchester, Dorset. On Williams marriage certificate it says he was a gardener (domestic) and his father Henry (deceased) was a farm bailiff. I would like to know if I can access the 1871 (on-line) site as William would have been 15 then and it would be easier to identify - but I think this may be an ancestry one and I don't want to subscribe to them knowing a lot of people have had trouble cancelling subs. Any help greatly appreciated Heather

Perhaps you have tried this but have you looked for birth of Edward Palmer or any male Palmers born in that area. he may have used the William etc as he just liked tthe name. Eg I couldn't find my ggrandfather's birth as he was called Riley but after 6 months of research I found he was christened Lionel and sure enough there he was. Don't ask why as it's a long story. Try this or as said earlier. Parish records. Good luck

I have had this problem with my Grandfather born in 1890, his father was a music hall entertainer and the family kept on moving from lodging house to lodging house so think the birth was not registered was your ancestors family permanantly living in this area. Also We were led to believe that ours was actually born in Leeds but it seems that he was born in Sunderland was he actually born where you think he was Linda P

Hi, Try this Dorset website, http://www(.)dorset-opc(.)com/ they have some online transcriptions of Dorset parish registers. Sam

Hi, Try this Dorset website, http://www(.)dorset-opc(.)com/ they have some online transcriptions of Dorset parish registers. Sam

Hi Heather, Try http://freecen.rootsweb(.)com/cgi/search.pl Has various free census searches. Can't find my Grandmother though! Good luck. Jill

Just to say thank you for all your help. The last 2 web sites are excellent. Thanks Jill, I still have not been able to find William (he must be somewhere) but on FREECEN I have found another member of my tree from the other side. Suppose I just need to carry on searching!! Heather