Genealogy Chat

Hi Maxine, Thanks for trying. I know the first time I went to the library I was expecting to find loads of info but came away with virtually nothing! There's so much stuff to look through isn't there, it's a bit overwhelming. Anyway, better luck next time you go. Tracey, Bolton

Thanks for that Maxine. I know what you have been through. Some days you get zilch, others more than you can handle. I don't think they are my Lloyds but I have made a note for the future just in case there is a link. Should you get chance great but make sure you do yours. Thanks again, John

Hi Guys I just wanted to say thanks for the support. When I got back from the records office I felt a bit of a failure, as I had failed to accomplish anything I had set out to do. But I know feel much better about it. Next time I am going to plan it like a military operation! and stick to my plan. By the way does anyone know how the name indexes work for the census? When I looked up a surname it gave me a number, but I could not seem to relate that number to anything. The staff there were busy closing, so I didn't have chance to ask. Maxine

Maxine The name index works like this: you have to know the area you want, there is a book index for different areas eg Shelton, Wolstsnton etc they have fiche nos.in (RG with some digits) then they have a list of surnames look down for the name Holland, this is followed by numbers. Each no is an occurrence of the name Holland in a household if the no is followed by a star it means there is more than one holland household on a "page"the no. relates to the page(The page is actually 2 pages with no. in the corner of one) you then get the fiche and look for the page and see if you can find the name. A lot of pages are unreadable unfortunately. Hope this helps, be prepared to have a headache at the end of your search:)

Hi Alison Thanks for the explanation, I wondered if they were page numbers - Thanks for the help. Regards Maxine

Maxine Sorry to appear dumb but how do you find out if there is a Records Office local to you? I am living in Scotland at the moment and am planning a trip down to Halifax to do some digging in my family tree and I've tried to use the various PRO websites, ONS websites etc but seem to keep going round in circles! All I want to know is if there is one in Halifax and it's address. I know that the Central Library holds some parish records etc so am planning on visiting there but it would be great to fit in a PRO visit at the same time. Rachel

Rachel, I'm not sure if there is a records office in Halifax but as you say the Central Library holds quite a lot of info. I was there a few weeks ago and it takes some time getting through stuff. The full day i spent there wasn't long enough, time just flies by. Anyway, good luck with your searches. Tracey, Bolton

Hi Rachel As Tracey says I would contact the library in Halifax. That is is how I found the records office in Stafford. They should have a website, so try a google search for "Halifax Library" and you'll probably find them - the records office may even be there! But if you give thema ring they'll let you know. Regards MAxine

Tracey & Max Thanks for the help, I've had a look at Halifax Library's website and I think I'm going to be kept very busy there to be honest and thinking about it, Leeds probably have a records office which covers Halifax. Rachel