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.
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to English Census Records
Brief History of Census Taking
The Domesday Project
What Are We Looking At?
Websites with Census Records
MODULE 2
WHY USE THE CENSUS?
Census Information Collected
Why Look at Every Available Census?
Census Relationship Definitions
What the Schedule Columns Tell the Researcher
Institutions
Shipping Schedules
Household Unit
Double Entries
Errors
Enumerator’s Path - Why Your Bit of the Road is Not There!
Woes of an Enumerator
Websites with Census Records
MODULE 3
1841-1901 CENSUSES
1841-1901 Censuses Films
Microfilms at the Family History Library
Searching Census Websites
1801-1831 Censuses
1841 Census
Missing Pieces
Websites with Census Records
MODULE 4
STREET INDEXES
Street Indexes
Working from a Street Address - Old Series
What is Included in the New Series
Problems with the New Series
Institutions, Pubs and Ships
Working From an Address - New Series
Working from a Piece Number or a Sub-District Name - New Series
Institutions, Pubs & Ships
Names Indexes
Websites with Census Records
MODULE 5
NOMINAL INDEXES
Name (or Nominal) Indexes
How to Use the 1881 Index on Fiche
1851 Census
Missing Pieces
1861 Census
Missing Pieces
Websites with Census Records
MODULE 6
SEARCHING CENSUSES IN MICROFORMS & ONLINE
Types of Website Searches
Other Variant Searches
Exact Searches
Websites with Census Records
MODULE 7
CENSUS MICROFORMS
Census Fiches or Films at the FamilySearch Centers, Archives &
Family History Societies
Reading the Film
Websites with Census Records
Case Study
MODULE 8
RECORDING & DOCUMENTATION
Recording & Documentation
Searching Census Material
Printing/Photocopying the Relevant Material
1911 Census
Valuation Maps
1939 National Registration
Websites with Census Records
FURTHER READING
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.
Course Content
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Civil Registration
Civil Registration System
Counties, Districts & Parishes
Birth, Marriage & Death and Christening, Marriage & Burial
MODULE 2
USING INDEXES
Websites
Availability of Indexes
Online Indexes
General Register Office
FreeBMD
Other Websites
Understanding Different Editions of the Indexes
The Quarters
Understanding Index Collation
Problems Encountered
How to Transcribe from the Indexes
MODULE 3
EXAMINING BIRTH, MARRIAGE, DEATH & OVERSEAS
INDEXES
Birth Indexes
Christened before birth?
Twins & Multiple Births
No Name at Birth
‘Wrong’ Name Registered
Mother’s Maiden Surname
Illegitimate Births
Foundlings
Abandoned Children Register
Adoptions
Stillbirths
First Children in a Family
Marriage Indexes
Prohibited Degrees
Bigamy
Divorce Records
Death Indexes
Overseas Indexes
Unregistered Events
Registered but not on the National Index?
Different Spelling
Not in the Expected Place
Not in the Expected Year, or Range of Years
Transcription Errors on the Indexes
Different Editions of the Indexes
Know the area but no access to indexes?
Just Not There!
MODULE 4
INFORMATION ON A CERTIFICATE & ITS USE
Source of Certificate
Certificates from General Register Offices
Certificates from Local Register Offices
Codes in Top Right-Hand Corner
Semi-Literate or Careless Informant
Birth Certificates
Special Situations
His, Hers & Ours
Siblings’ Certificates
Adoption
Overseas Birth Certificates
Marriage Certificates
Rites & Ceremonies
Authorized Buildings & Persons
Notice of Marriage, or Licence
Register Office Marriage
Persons Conducting & Registering the Ceremony
Signatures of Parties
Signatures of Witnesses
Additions & Corrections
Overseas Marriage Certificates
MODULE 5
INFORMATION ON A CERTIFICATE & ITS USE … Continued
Death Certificates
Overseas Death Certificates
Killing Them Off
Comparison of Death & Burial Information
Welsh Certificates
Isle of Man Certificates
Channel Islands Certificates
Guernsey
MODULE 6
RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION
Have you got the right certificate?
Requesting Wrong Certificate
Errors on Certificates
Incorrect Information Given to Registrar
Incorrectly Recorded by Registrar
Error Corrected Later
Transcription Errors on Certificates
Is civil registration an original source with primary information?
Obtaining A Certificate
Hints for Successful Searches through Register Offices
Guild of One-Name Studies
FreeBMD
Cheshire Index Initiative
Campaign for Historicity
Recommended Reading & Resources
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 organisation style.
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
History Affecting Parish Registers
Old Style & New Style
Julian & Gregorian Calendars & the Lost 11 Days
Victorian Population Explosion
History in Action
Royal Events
CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARISH REGISTERS
Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions
Provinces, Dioceses, Archdeaconries & Deaneries
Parishes, Peculiars, Liberties & Extra-Parochial Places
Structure of Records
Spelling
Phonetic Spellings
Handwriting
Latin & Greek
Terminology & Abbreviations
General Registers
Dade Registers
Christenings
Burials
Printed Registers
Non-Parochial Anglican Records
Bishops Transcripts
Modern Transcripts
Events Abroad
MODULE 2
CHRISTENING/BAPTISM
The Records
Meanings of Terms
Churching & Chrisoms
Godparents
Age at Baptism
Adult Baptisms
First Born Children
Same Name Children
Record Family Sizes
Foundlings
Illegitimacy
Duplicate Christenings
Multiple Christenings
Christenings Abroad
MODULE 3
CONFIRMATION RECORDS
MARRIAGE RECORDS
Marriage Banns
The Banns Certificate
Banns & Marriage Records Different
Marriage Licences
Marriage Allegations
Marriage Bonds
Finding Marriage Licence Records
Espousal Books
Marriage Registers
Prohibited Degrees for Marriage
Information on Post 1754 Marriage Record
Marriage Announcements
Marriage in the Bride’s Parish
Remarriage
Chapelries of Mother Parish
Marriage Transcripts
Marriages Abroad
Annulment & Divorce
Ecclesiastical Divorce
Practical Solutions for Average People
Civil Divorce
MODULE 4
BURIAL RECORDS
Where Buried
When Did He or She Die?
Certificate of Registry of Death
Burials Abroad
Information in Church Records
Unknown Persons
Death Date & Place
Burial Date & Place
Sexton’s Grave Books
Burial Plot Deeds & Records
Ages
Children
Residence
Non-Parishioners
Relationships
Occupation
Status
Character Testimonials
Cause of Death
Inquests & Coroners
Violent Deaths
Anglican Rites
Burial in Woollen
Entries with No Affidavit
Burials with No Shroud
Burial Taxes
Funeral Accounts
Resurrection Men
Some Odd Burials
Duplicate Burials
Monumental Inscriptions
MODULE 5
OTHER ITEMS IN REGISTERS
Affidavits
Briefs
Charitable Donations
Churchwardens Presentments
Comments on the Parishioners
Correspondence with the Vicar
Customary Fees
Glebe Terriers
Historical Announcements
Lists of Churchwardens
List of Excommunicated & Absolved
Local Agriculture & Economy Notes
Militia Lists
Perambulations of the Parish Bounds
Purchase & Condition of the Registers
Receipts
Relevant Acts of Parliament
Renovations of Church Buildings
Repair of Local Roads
Severe Weather
Signatures of Churchwardens
Tithes
Efficient Use of Others’ Films
MODULE 6
INDEXES
The IGI
Boyd’s Indexes
The Pallot Marriage and Baptism Indexes
County CMB Indexes
Online Parish Clerks
GRO Indexes of CMB
Marriage Licence Allegation Indexes
National Burial Index
Monumental Inscription Indexes
Other Indexes
Scotlands People
Finding the Records
Transcripts
Banns Books & Marriage Licences
Finding the Right Parish
Lists of Ancestral Names & Places
Ordering the Right Microform
Searching the Records
Efficient Reading of Church Records
Parish Registers on the Welsh Border
Effective Recording Techniques
Photocopying Ancestral Items
Photography
RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION
Errors in Parish Registers
Omissions from Parish Registers
Forgery in Parish Registers
Errors in Reading
Events in Chapelries & Other Parishes
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES & FURTHER READING
This course will examine in some detail many aspects related to the subject of probate. The most important probate documents are wills, inventories, administrations, guardianships, and Death Duty Registers.
Wills are one of the most valuable sources available for the genealogist because they usually mention several family members, even from two or three generations. They are often the best or only means of verifying a family tree compiled from civil registration, census or parish registers. This course also offers suggestions and tips when visiting the FamilySearch Center or other sites holding documents, how to fill out forms requesting information, and how to interpret the documentation you receive.
MODULE 1
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
MODULE 2
WILLS
History Affecting Probate
Making a Will
Inheritance of Real Estate
Inheritance of Personal Estate
Who Could Make a Will?
How & When Was a Will Made?
Noncupative Wills
Revocation by Marriage
Contents of a Will
Executors, Trustees & Overseers
Attestation & Witnessing
Codicils
Evidence from Witnesses
Probate Act or Grant of Probate
After the Probate
Encumbered Estates
Lapsed Legacies
Reading Wills
Valuations of Estates
Recording the Contents of a Will
Relationships
Daughters’ Marriages
Longest & Shortest Wills
Illegitimate Children
Children by Previous Spouses
Omission of a Family Member
Relatives in Far Places
Other Laws Affecting Wills
MODULE 3
ADMINISTRATIONS
When is an Administration Needed?
Intestacy Rules
What Records Were Kept?
Information in an Administration
Probate & Administration + Will
MODULE 4
PROBATE MATERIALS
Other Probate Materials
Appeals or Assignations
Bonds
Cause Papers
Caveats
Depositions
Diaries, Journals & Minute Books
Exhibits
Guardianships
Inventories
Limited or Special Grants
Monitions & Commissions
Non-Deposited Probate Records
Probate Accounts
Receipts for Legacies
Renunciations
Testamentary Suits
Disputes over the Validity of a Will
Disputes Over the Content of a Will
MODULE 5
FINDING PROBATES
What You Need to Start a Search For a Specific Will
Affluent But No Will or Admon?
Indexes of Testators
Wills Beneficiaries Indexes
Finding Probates from 1858
The Indexes
Obtaining the Administration Grant
Obtaining the Will & Probate Grant
How to Find Films of Wills for England 1858-1925
Obtaining Other Probate Documents
Finding Probates Before 1858
Understanding the System
The Peculiars
Wills Dealt with by Local Clergy
The Commonwealth & Interregnum
How to Find the Right ‘Chain’ of Courts
Kinds of Church Court Records
Lower Courts
Obtaining Copies From the Archive or CRO
Obtaining Copies From a Film
Prerogative Court of York
Using the Borthwick Institute
Using a FamilySearch Center
PCY Court of Chancery Will Disputes
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Indexes to PCC Wills
Indexes to PCC Admons
Indexes to PCC Inventories
Other Will Collections
Courts of Orphans
Other Sources
MODULE 6
DEATH DUTY RECORDS
Genealogical Value of Death Duties
Death Duty Records
Finding Death Duty Indexes
Finding Death Duty Abstracts
Using Death Duty Admon Abstracts
Under Name of Administrator
Under Degree of Kindred of Administrator
Under Persons Beneficially Entitled
Under Property and Share
Using Death Duty Will Abstracts
Post 1858 Death Duty Registers
ISLE OF MAN AND CHANNEL ISLANDS PROBATE
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES & APPENDIX