Getting Started on Family History by Chalmers
Genealogy or Family History?
Genealogy, the study of pedigree differs from family history. The genealogist is concerned with ancestral descent and establishing family relationships.
The family historian aims to produce a well documented narrative history of interest to family members and future generations. The study of family history actually puts the ‘flesh on the bones’ and includes the historical circumstances and geographical situations surrounding the family.
How Far Back?
In England and Wales you should be able to trace your family roots with comparative ease back to 1837 when civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began. Getting back beyond 1837 normally relies mainly on the use of parish registers – with luck, and allied to other types of records, these might enable you to trace your family back to the 16th century. Beyond this can be extremely difficult, unless you can tie into a well documented pedigree, e.g. a famous person or a great land-owning family.
How to Begin?
Note the names of your close family and draw a rough family tree, starting with yourself at the bottom. If you are only able to go back as far as your grandparents, you are doing all right, particularly if you can fill in most or all of the birth, marriage and death dates. A great many people will not be able to get this far back at first so, if you are one of them, don’t let it bother you. The British love of red tape produced great record keepers!
Write down the names of all older relatives who are still left in the family; such relatives can be a mine of information.
They may have birth, marriage and death certificates, in which case, borrowing copies of these will save you time and money.
Perhaps they will also have family bibles containing family history information going back many years, or photo albums or other documents that could help.
You may find a relative has already started researching part of your family tree and will be willing to share this information with you. It will pay to contact them, either in person or by phone, letter or e-mail as soon as possible.
Visit your local library and see if they have a selection of books on how to trace your family tree.
Locate your nearest family history society. Even if your family does not originate locally, you will find meeting fellow family historians helpful, and listening to talks by knowledgeable speakers a bonus. If your family origins are further away, joining that local society could prove useful. The Federation of Family History Societies publishes a list of county societies on its web site www.ffhs.org. Each society publishes its own periodical, and virtually all produce a list of members’ interests. Membership fees are quite reasonable.
Chalmers Cursley has been a family historian for 25 years. He is a member of the Society of Genealogists and the Guild of One-Name Studies. Please visit his
Web Site and his Blog
