As a newbie wanting to research family history, it seems there's a vast number of sites who'd like me to sign up to get information (ancestry.co.uk et al). Trying to read between the lines, it seems to me that these people will only confirm dates (of eg birth), but not actually provide copy of the certificate, which I must still order from elsewhere & which I need to see to keep going back in time. Is this assumption correct?
I've tried to find similar thread, but couldn't find one.
Many thanks for any input into this.
*Arc TBC* -- Research sites
Moderators: Northern Lass, admin, peterd
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westfamily
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- Primary Geographical Research Areas: london
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Maths girl
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Re: Research sites
Yes and no
depending on the site some will give you more or less access to actual pages of census forms and these can take you quite a way back if you strike lucky but if you want to see the birth certificates yes you will have to purchase them but obviously you need to know when the birth was etc to order them.
Depending upon where you live in comparison to any marrriages that you might want to look at they can often be seen at the local archives/record offices as can baptisms if your relations were baptised and you can find the right church.
depending on the site some will give you more or less access to actual pages of census forms and these can take you quite a way back if you strike lucky but if you want to see the birth certificates yes you will have to purchase them but obviously you need to know when the birth was etc to order them.
Depending upon where you live in comparison to any marrriages that you might want to look at they can often be seen at the local archives/record offices as can baptisms if your relations were baptised and you can find the right church.
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gardener
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Re: Research sites
It does depend on what period you are looking at, and where.
As Maths girl says, you can see actual images of census pages online for 1841/51/61/71781/91/01/11.
1837 onwards you have to buy birth, marriage or death certificates if you want to see them. For a marriage, if you know the church and can get to the appropriate archives, then you can look at the parish record which will be cheaper as you can take notes for free or copy the entry for a small charge (usually).
Once into the 20th century it is possible to get some information (age at death, mother's maiden name) online but for address or occupation you need to see the certificate itself.
Pre-1838 you have to rely on the church records. These are often transcribed and available online but to see the actual entry (which may have more information, but often doesn't) you usually need to see microfilm of the registers.
Mark is usually up to speed on what each company offers so if any do have original images I hope he (or any one)will correct me
As Maths girl says, you can see actual images of census pages online for 1841/51/61/71781/91/01/11.
1837 onwards you have to buy birth, marriage or death certificates if you want to see them. For a marriage, if you know the church and can get to the appropriate archives, then you can look at the parish record which will be cheaper as you can take notes for free or copy the entry for a small charge (usually).
Once into the 20th century it is possible to get some information (age at death, mother's maiden name) online but for address or occupation you need to see the certificate itself.
Pre-1838 you have to rely on the church records. These are often transcribed and available online but to see the actual entry (which may have more information, but often doesn't) you usually need to see microfilm of the registers.
Mark is usually up to speed on what each company offers so if any do have original images I hope he (or any one)will correct me
"The present is the key to the past" - Charles Lyell
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westfamily
- Posts: 2
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- Primary Surname Interests: west
- Primary Geographical Research Areas: london
Re: Research sites
Thanks Maths Girl & Gardener, I thought that might be the case.
Looks like I've found something to while away the winter evenings now. And with a nice common surname to work with, I can see a few late nights coming up
Thanks again.
Looks like I've found something to while away the winter evenings now. And with a nice common surname to work with, I can see a few late nights coming up
Thanks again.
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Antie Em
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Re: Research sites
Hi Westfamily - is this now complete - Can I Archive?
There's no place like home ......