Basic English Records

Optional Print Course Material: English: Census Records Including Wales

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

An examination of the history, structure and genealogical research possibilities of the 1801-1911 censuses, as well as the 1939 National Register of England and Wales. Strategies for research, location the records, reading and recording methodology and documentation will be discussed.

 During each module the student will be introduced to an aspect of research, such as terminology, indexes or search methods. There will be a detailed look at some of the censuses. Students will receive in-depth instruction as to the contents and usage of each census. Available websites and indexes with census records will also be discussed. The many pitfalls unnoticed by the unwary will be described.

Upon completion of this course will be fully prepared to utilise this source with confidence.

Optional Print Course Material: English: Civil Registration Records Including Wales

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates is an essential element of good genealogical research. This course will provide practical details needed to understand the system of civil registration; how to use indexes, both in microform and online, and how to interpret certificates. Numerous examples are used from birth, marriage, death, and overseas certificates to illustrate the care that must be taken when reading the documents and deciphering the information. The course is aimed at those needing a thorough understanding of this original source. Note that it is important to remember that when dealing with information found in England and Wales, vital statistics are not the same as civil registration.

Optional Print Course Material: English: Parish Registers

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

The course provides a significant overview of what is involved when researching English Parish Records. Given that every person in England was assigned to a particular parish regardless of their religious denomination, it is crucial to develop a greater understanding of how the record keeping system was established and developed. This will greatly enhance your ability in tracking down desired documentation. The course material will cover the main categories of birth, christening, marriage, death and burial; but will also go far beyond to include a variety of other record sources as well. A great deal of emphasis will be placed on examples in order to introduce you to the text and flavour of the contemporary language used in record keeping. Lastly, an ability to find information must be consistent with an ability to organise and make use of that information. To this end, numerous techniques, tips, and ideas will be shared which you can adopt and adapt as you develop your own organization style.

This course examines some aspects related to English probate records. The most important probate documents are wills, inventories, administrations, guardianships, and Death Duty Registers.

Wills are a valuable source for genealogists because they usually mention family members, sometimes two or three generations. They're often the best or only means of verifying a family tree compiled from civil registration, census, or parish registers.