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As you begin | As you begin research in a new country, you may find your efforts difficult and frustrating at first, but if you persist you will be rewarded. Beginning to do family history is like learning to do any other exercise: it takes time, study, patience and perseverance. You don’t know all the answers. Maybe you don’t know any answers, or even know what to ask so you can get an answer! Everyone starts at the same place. Be willing to ask questions. | ||
In 1066, William the Conqueror and his forces successfully invaded a Saxon country. The first existing written record is the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086. Being a rural economy throughout the first 700 years, the people relied on farming, home economy and trade with other countries to support themselves. Most of the population was poor. The industrial revolution that began in the early 1800’s transformed much of the face of England. | In 1066, William the Conqueror and his forces successfully invaded a Saxon country. The first existing written record is the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086. Being a rural economy throughout the first 700 years, the people relied on farming, home economy and trade with other countries to support themselves. Most of the population was poor. The industrial revolution that began in the early 1800’s transformed much of the face of England. | ||
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You will find many new words with which you are not familiar. It’s best to arm yourself with good dictionaries, either your personal copies or access to them in your local library. The ''Local Historian's Encyclopedia'' defines historical terms in relation to land, occupation, transportation, etc. ''The Dictionary of Genealogy'' shows the genealogical usage for many terms, with the emphasis toward ecclesiastical matters. Other reference sources are mentioned in the bibliography. You may find that two books are similar, but slightly different in their context. | You will find many new words with which you are not familiar. It’s best to arm yourself with good dictionaries, either your personal copies or access to them in your local library. The ''Local Historian's Encyclopedia'' defines historical terms in relation to land, occupation, transportation, etc. ''The Dictionary of Genealogy'' shows the genealogical usage for many terms, with the emphasis toward ecclesiastical matters. Other reference sources are mentioned in the bibliography. You may find that two books are similar, but slightly different in their context. | ||
It's important to start learning the definitions of new words, since the exercise will aid you in getting more involved in your research. Today you may be unsure about the definition of christening or census, but later your list may include words like hundred, reeve, and gaol. Learning these new terms can be like learning a new language.<br><br> | It's important to start learning the definitions of new words, since the exercise will aid you in getting more involved in your research. Today you may be unsure about the definition of christening or census, but later your list may include words like hundred, reeve, and gaol. Learning these new terms can be like learning a new language.<br><br> | ||
=== Use a Handbook === | === Use a Handbook === | ||
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A few handbooks are like dictionaries. They define the family or local history usage of words and terms. The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' is a good source to use when seeking the definition of a term, but the handbooks set the terms in a special setting. | A few handbooks are like dictionaries. They define the family or local history usage of words and terms. The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' is a good source to use when seeking the definition of a term, but the handbooks set the terms in a special setting. | ||
Handbooks that discuss records are most helpful when they tell the time period in which the record existed, the content and value to a researcher, and where the record is currently housed. Roger's ''Tracing Your English Ancestors''is one handbook that gives information about the most-used records of civil registration, census, church and probate, though he says little about the location of these records. | Handbooks that discuss records are most helpful when they tell the time period in which the record existed, the content and value to a researcher, and where the record is currently housed. Roger's ''Tracing Your English Ancestors ''is one handbook that gives information about the most-used records of civil registration, census, church and probate, though he says little about the location of these records. | ||
If you don’t live near a | If you don’t live near a FamilySearch center, visit your nearby public or university library. They have access to the catalogs of many other libraries in the United States, and some throughout the world. The information you wish to search may be housed by one of these libraries. You can borrow works through interlibrary loan. | ||
Do you have access to the Internet? An increasing amount of genealogical information in placed on the Internet. Names and dates of ancestors may not be there but you may be able to order copies of some records over the Internet, such as vital records. The Internet can give you easy access to the catalogs for repositories where records are kept.<br> | Do you have access to the Internet? An increasing amount of genealogical information in placed on the Internet. Names and dates of ancestors may not be there but you may be able to order copies of some records over the Internet, such as vital records. The Internet can give you easy access to the catalogs for repositories where records are kept.<br> | ||
=== The Internet === | === The Internet === | ||
The Internet can also provide learning material for you. Use caution when you are on the Internet, since not everything you read is true!If you were limited to only one Internet site for your research, choose Genealogy of the United Kingdom and Ireland(GenUKI) at http://www.genuki.org.uk/. This large site links you to hundreds of web sites | The Internet can also provide learning material for you. Use caution when you are on the Internet, since not everything you read is true! If you were limited to only one Internet site for your research, choose Genealogy of the United Kingdom and Ireland (GenUKI) at http://www.genuki.org.uk/. This large site links you to hundreds of web sites for British Isles research. It provides information for first time users of the site, frequently asked questions, bulletin boards, and more. British genealogists administer GenUKI for British genealogists. | ||
=== Join a Society === | === Join a Society === | ||
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''The Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Great Britain''<nowiki>: All Names From the</nowiki> 1:50000 Landranger Map Series. | ''The Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Great Britain''<nowiki>: All Names From the</nowiki> 1:50000 Landranger Map Series. | ||
''[[England]]'' Wiki article. | ''[[England Genealogy|England]]'' Wiki article. | ||
John Richardson, ''The Local Historian's Encyclopedia''. | John Richardson, ''The Local Historian's Encyclopedia''. | ||
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