Eight members were present for the talk on Family History Basics: Where to Look - Data Sources (Data Sets)
For dates after 1837 - the commencement of Civil Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths (BMDs) – the two essential sources are the Index to BMDs held by the General Registry Office (GRO) and the National Census (held in the National Archives)
FreeBMD is a transcription of the index and can be readily searched online to locate an ancestor. For further information a copy of the full entry in the register must be requested from the GRO (for a fee).
The Census is available on-line from 1841 to 1921. Use FamilySearch to locate your ancestor. From this a link is provided to the images (1841 – 1911) of the original in the National Archives (free)
For dates prior to 1837 information must be sought first from parish registers and the probate records (wills and letters of administration). There is no single best way to access the information in parish registers but FamilySearch (free) and Ancestry (paid subscription) will provide a majority of church records. The National Probate Calendar is an index to Wills and Letters of Administration from 1858 and is available on-line (free). A copy can then be ordered for a fee. Earlier wills were lodged with church courts and can be found in various record offices and diocesan archives. Many are available online.
In place of the normal meeting next month in Enterprise House, there is a trip on Thursday 12th November to The Story, Durham’s Record Office. A talk by one of the Archivists about the records at The Story has been arranged starting at 10:30 a.m. sharp for up to 12 members. 5 of those places have already been reserved and others wanting to take part should contact Alan Swindale. Bishop Auckland u3a has been made a contribution towards the cost of the talk. Shared car transport to The Story will be arranged.
Alan Swindale