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The ''indexes'' to civil registration are a priority for microfilming by FamilySearch and therefore can be found through your local FamilySearch Center (FSC). Larger FSCs may have long runs on indefinite loan for the more popular countries. Certificates or Registrations of Birth, Marriage and Death are available from the appropriate government department for a fee ranging from $5-$50. They may be photocopies of the original records or transcripts of them. After a certain number of years these records are released, for example by Act of Parliament, to the appropriate archives as ‘historic’ material. A new, publicly-available index is usually then made by the archives, often with assistance from the local FHS. These indexes tend to be more comprehensive, as they are able to include amendments and late entries, and they are made with researchers’ needs in mind. | The ''indexes'' to civil registration are a priority for microfilming by FamilySearch and therefore can be found through your local FamilySearch Center (FSC). Larger FSCs may have long runs on indefinite loan for the more popular countries. Certificates or Registrations of Birth, Marriage and Death are available from the appropriate government department for a fee ranging from $5-$50. They may be photocopies of the original records or transcripts of them. After a certain number of years these records are released, for example by Act of Parliament, to the appropriate archives as ‘historic’ material. A new, publicly-available index is usually then made by the archives, often with assistance from the local FHS. These indexes tend to be more comprehensive, as they are able to include amendments and late entries, and they are made with researchers’ needs in mind. | ||
They are available at the holding archives (and perhaps contiguous ones also). Check with your local public archives or genealogical societies to find out where the documents you require are housed. Most often, they will also be microfilmed, viewable at the microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/locations family history centers]. In all cases the certificates or registrations will contain more information than an index, and are the original source. | They are available at the holding archives (and perhaps contiguous ones also). Check with your local public archives or genealogical societies to find out where the documents you require are housed. Most often, they will also be microfilmed, viewable at the microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ family history centers]. In all cases the certificates or registrations will contain more information than an index, and are the original source. | ||
The ''original historic registrations'' will be available to view, transcribe and photocopy at the appropriate archives. Since they are now in the public domain they can also be microfilmed and eventually will be available from your local FSC. | The ''original historic registrations'' will be available to view, transcribe and photocopy at the appropriate archives. Since they are now in the public domain they can also be microfilmed and eventually will be available from your local FSC. | ||
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Most censuses available to the genealogist are from the 19th century, although there are earlier ones for certain countries e.g. Norway 1664, Iceland 1703 and later ones e.g. England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Canada 1911, USA 1940 (in April 2012). For later ones still held under Rights of Privacy Legislation there is occasionally limited access. | Most censuses available to the genealogist are from the 19th century, although there are earlier ones for certain countries e.g. Norway 1664, Iceland 1703 and later ones e.g. England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Canada 1911, USA 1940 (in April 2012). For later ones still held under Rights of Privacy Legislation there is occasionally limited access. | ||
The original censuses are held by the government that created them until they are released to the archives to become available to us. Deterioration through heavy usage by genealogists is prevented by microfilming or microfiching by the archives themselves, or by FamilySearch, and these formats will be the ones you will use. Unless you are able to visit each area archives you will find it easiest to view the microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/locations family history centers]. Street indexes are often available for larger towns and cities both at archives and the FSCs. | The original censuses are held by the government that created them until they are released to the archives to become available to us. Deterioration through heavy usage by genealogists is prevented by microfilming or microfiching by the archives themselves, or by FamilySearch, and these formats will be the ones you will use. Unless you are able to visit each area archives you will find it easiest to view the microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ family history centers]. Street indexes are often available for larger towns and cities both at archives and the FSCs. | ||
Nominal indexes, some by surname and first name, others merely and less-usefully by surname, for many censuses have been made usually by volunteers from Family History or Genealogy Societies (FHS). These can be searched or bought through the local FHS that made them, and some are at your own FHS. The Society of Genealogists in London has most census indexes produced by local FHSs in Britain. | Nominal indexes, some by surname and first name, others merely and less-usefully by surname, for many censuses have been made usually by volunteers from Family History or Genealogy Societies (FHS). These can be searched or bought through the local FHS that made them, and some are at your own FHS. The Society of Genealogists in London has most census indexes produced by local FHSs in Britain. | ||
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All kinds of indexes have been made to save the researcher time and effort, some are great, some are horrendously inaccurate. The student is cautioned that indexes are merely finding aids. Recourse has to be made to the original, first recording for final authority and preferably a photocopy. | All kinds of indexes have been made to save the researcher time and effort, some are great, some are horrendously inaccurate. The student is cautioned that indexes are merely finding aids. Recourse has to be made to the original, first recording for final authority and preferably a photocopy. | ||
Indexes are available for individual parishes, county-wide christenings, marriages, and burials, as well as for wider areas for example there are 7 million entries in Boyd’s Marriage Index for England 1500-1837. The researcher should read books and journals to find what is available for the location of interest. Generally speaking, local indexes will be found most readily at the relevant archives and Family History or Genealogy Society (FHS), but many are also available elsewhere, in particular on microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/locations family history centers]. | Indexes are available for individual parishes, county-wide christenings, marriages, and burials, as well as for wider areas for example there are 7 million entries in Boyd’s Marriage Index for England 1500-1837. The researcher should read books and journals to find what is available for the location of interest. Generally speaking, local indexes will be found most readily at the relevant archives and Family History or Genealogy Society (FHS), but many are also available elsewhere, in particular on microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ family history centers]. | ||
==== Finding Probate ==== | ==== Finding Probate ==== | ||
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As with other sources, wills and all the other accompanying documents in a probated estate file, are usually passed to a national, provincial or state archives (or institutions that house historic records) after a certain period of time, or when the court itself can no longer store them. By determining their location you can have photocopies made. | As with other sources, wills and all the other accompanying documents in a probated estate file, are usually passed to a national, provincial or state archives (or institutions that house historic records) after a certain period of time, or when the court itself can no longer store them. By determining their location you can have photocopies made. | ||
All probate materials are considered a priority for FamilySearch filming and huge collections are available through FSCs. You may view the microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/locations family history centers] or use the inexpensive ''Request for Photocopies'' method outlined in this course, as records will be in either date or alphabetical order and hence easy to find. | All probate materials are considered a priority for FamilySearch filming and huge collections are available through FSCs. You may view the microfilm at the Family History Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ family history centers] or use the inexpensive ''Request for Photocopies'' method outlined in this course, as records will be in either date or alphabetical order and hence easy to find. | ||
Indexes to wills, admons, and other probate materials will be with the administering authority and can be consulted through them. Most are also microfilmed for use at FSCs. | Indexes to wills, admons, and other probate materials will be with the administering authority and can be consulted through them. Most are also microfilmed for use at FSCs. | ||
edits