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=== Gazetteers and Maps === | === Gazetteers and Maps === | ||
England is organized on a county, parish and town system. Ecclesiastical boundaries are similar to civil boundaries. Gazetteers and maps help you to understand the relationship between places. Since the 1500’s, place name spellings and jurisdictions have not changed in major ways like in some other countries. Start with a gazetteer first to learn a brief bit about your place, then find the place on a map and see where it lies in relation to other places in the area. | |||
Gazetteers vary, but generally state brief information about the civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, where it is located in relation to a larger place, and historical tidbits. Consider looking in several. One published in 1837 may state different information than one published in 1865, though both are correct. | Gazetteers vary, but generally state brief information about the civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, where it is located in relation to a larger place, and historical tidbits. Consider looking in several. One published in 1837 may state different information than one published in 1865, though both are correct. | ||
Maps also vary in size and content. The size of your place, creation date and the purpose for which the map was made are factors in whether or not you will find it. In general, most English places did not drastically change their names, or have major jurisdictional changes. Topographical maps show the elevation of the terrain by the coloring, to indicate the elevation of the terrain. Study a map to see how your place relates to the surrounding area. Usually parish maps are available for each county, indicating the relationship between parishes. How does the parish boundary correspond to the topographical area?Is your place near the border by the sea, another county or country?Where are the hills, rivers, canals or main roads?Is it an urban or rural area?All of these factors influenced your family. | Maps also vary in size and content. The size of your place, creation date and the purpose for which the map was made are factors in whether or not you will find it. In general, most English places did not drastically change their names, or have major jurisdictional changes. Topographical maps show the elevation of the terrain by the coloring, to indicate the elevation of the terrain. Study a map to see how your place relates to the surrounding area. Usually parish maps are available for each county, indicating the relationship between parishes. How does the parish boundary correspond to the topographical area?Is your place near the border by the sea, another county or country?Where are the hills, rivers, canals or main roads?Is it an urban or rural area? All of these factors influenced your family. | ||
=== Definition of Terms === | === Definition of Terms === | ||
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. | ||
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=== Use a Handbook === | === Use a Handbook === | ||
Perhaps you first need a definition of the word “handbook.”It is a narrative explanation about how to conduct research in general, how to understand a given set of records, a summary of what records are available in a specific place, or a combination. Reading a handbook is similar to taking a class; it helps you to learn more. | Perhaps you first need a definition of the word “handbook.”It is a narrative explanation about how to conduct research in general, how to understand a given set of records, a summary of what records are available in a specific place, or a combination. Reading a handbook is similar to taking a class; it helps you to learn more. | ||
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=== 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 forBritish Islesresearch. It provides information for first time users of the site, frequently asked questions, bulletin boards, and more. British genealogists administer GenUKI for British genealogists. | |||
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 | |||
=== Join a Society === | === Join a Society === | ||
A family history society is an organization for individuals interested in family history and genealogy. No rules limit the novice from joining. Members go to meetings, receive a quarterly journal (magazine) and get involved in indexing projects, in addition to doing their own research. Members have an opportunity to share their successes and roadblocks, to feel like there are others “in the same boat.”Several of these organizations publish the indexes they prepare, and are available for anyone to purchase. | A family history society is an organization for individuals interested in family history and genealogy. No rules limit the novice from joining. Members go to meetings, receive a quarterly journal (magazine) and get involved in indexing projects, in addition to doing their own research. Members have an opportunity to share their successes and roadblocks, to feel like there are others “in the same boat.”Several of these organizations publish the indexes they prepare, and are available for anyone to purchase. | ||
Umbrella organizations offer assistance to individual family history societies. This type of organization seeks groups or societies as members. You cannot join as an individual, but you can join a society that is a member of the umbrella. | Umbrella organizations offer assistance to individual family history societies. This type of organization seeks groups or societies as members. You cannot join as an individual, but you can join a society that is a member of the umbrella. In England, a society exists in every county. The Federation of Family History Societies is the umbrella group. Its journal, Family History News and Digest'','' lists the names and addresses of member societies. Other societies throughout the world having some British interests are the Scottish Association of Family History Societies, the Australian Federation of Family History Organizations, and the U.S. Federation of Genealogical Societies. | ||
The executive board of the Federation of Family History Societies inEnglandhas been concerned for many years about the education of genealogists. They produce an excellent set of handbooks, inexpensively priced. A list of their publications appears in Family History News and Digest. The Society of Genealogists inLondonalso produces research guides. These are also available for purchase. | The executive board of the Federation of Family History Societies inEnglandhas been concerned for many years about the education of genealogists. They produce an excellent set of handbooks, inexpensively priced. A list of their publications appears in Family History News and Digest. The Society of Genealogists inLondonalso produces research guides. These are also available for purchase. | ||
=== | === === | ||
=== Basic Records === | === Basic Records === | ||
All English researchers use four groups of records. These are: | All English researchers use four groups of records. These are: | ||
* Civil Registration. | * Civil Registration. | ||
* Census records. | * Census records. | ||
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These records start being recorded at the following times. | These records start being recorded at the following times. | ||
* Civil Registration:1 July 1837to the present. | * Civil Registration:1 July 1837to the present. | ||
* Census Records: 1841 to the present, except 1941. | * Census Records: 1841 to the present, except 1941. | ||
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* Probate Records: mid-1300's to the present | * Probate Records: mid-1300's to the present | ||
=== | === === | ||
=== Read More === | === Read More === | ||
John Bartholomew, ''Bartholomew Gazetteer of''''Britain''''.'''''''' | John Bartholomew, ''Bartholomew Gazetteer of''''Britain''''.'''''''' | ||