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An
Introduction To Genealogy
The study of Family
History
Help with finding your
Ancestors
Many
people starting to look at their ancestry secretly hope that they may
discover that they are descended from or related to royalty or to some
romantic figure from the past. In reality, most researchers find that
this is not the case but the results of their research are always
extremely interesting. It makes one realise the hardships that our
ancestors were subjected to.
When you look around at our present comfortable existence it makes you
think that, in comparison, our ancestors had quite a hard life. You may
find your ancestors were forced out of their homes during the Highland
Clearances (or the Irish equivalent), the Irish Famine, or died during
the many epidemics of Cholera, Scarlet Fever, Consumption - even the
Plague
etc However you will also find stories of happiness
and realise that in times of hardship there can be fun and laughter.
Budding
Genealogists have plenty of choice on where to research and lots
of material to browse through. See Links below
Much can be done by yourself, using the facilities of the large network
of family history centres run by the Mormon church primarily for their
own members but open to everyone - free of charge - but you will
have to book. They can borrow microfilm of the parish registers
and census records you need, but not much of the statutory registers are
available this way. If you live in the UK, most large libraries and some
family history societies have lots of family history material for their
area on microfilm. You don't always have to go to Edinburgh or London or
Dublin to see the
originals.
It can
sometimes be cheaper to use a local researcher who can check all the
indexes, and can also get photocopies of certificates over 100 years old
at a reduced rate. They can also make sure it is the right certificate
if you want specific parents. See
Scot Roots
If you need
certificates the best solution can be to find copies held by family
members, and photocopy them! Scottish Marriage certificates
were almost unique in that they gave the parents of both parties,
including the maiden surnames of both mothers. Best year for detail on
certificates is 1855, worst are 1856-l860. Prior to 1855, your main
source is the registers of the Church of Scotland (Old Parochial
Registers), all on microfilm. Census records with people's names as a
regular matter begin in l841, and the most recent open to the public is
1891 (there is a 100 year embargo on this type of information). All are
available on microfilm
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An
Introduction To Genealogy
