Geneaology - where to start

[Twitcher]

Has anyone any advice on where to start? I've looked at a few websites but they all seem to involve paying for information, is this the norm?

 

Does anyone have any ideas on the best places to find information from?

[Ecabby]

Library. but as with anything these days you dont get much without paying for it

[hennypenny]

You usually start with yourself and work backwards. Start by talking to any elderly relatives and get all the names and dates you can from them. Then the first thing to find is your birth certificate. That gives your parent's names, then you can get your parent's marriage certificate, which gives their father's names, and your parent's birth certificates which gives their mother's maiden names, then do the same for them. To order certificates you have to find a reference on the General Register Office index of births, marriages and deaths.

 

You keep working your way back through certificates until you get back to someone who was alive in 1901. Once you are back to 1901 you can start to look at census records which were recorded every 10 years, and you should be able to track the family back to 1841.

 

The GRO index and Sheffield censuses are available at Sheffield Archives.

 

There are websites which can help

 

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/

 

http://www.familysearch.org

 

http://www.sheffieldrecordsonline.org.uk/

 

http://sheff-indexers.thewholeshebang.org/

 

http://www.genuki.org.uk/

 

An even easier way is to employ a professional genealogist, who will do a quick and efficient job at very reasonable rates

[woolspinster]

Twitcher, try this site: http://www.rootschat.com lots of friendly people who are a great help.

[davyboy]

Has anyone any advice on where to start? I've looked at a few websites but they all seem to involve paying for information, is this the norm?

 

Does anyone have any ideas on the best places to find information from?

 

Have a look at this website:

http://www.bucksgs.org.uk/publications/mclaughlin.htm

 

Starting Your Family Tree.

Interviewing Elderly Relatives.

No Time for Family History?

These 3 titles will get you started.

You may be able to get them from the local library.

Buying a Birth, marriage or death certificate will cost you £7 a time but they are essential to confirm that you are dealing with the correct person and to give you clues on where to go next.

Don't start shelling out money to Ancestry and the like until you have gained some experience.

This website is very useful although it's not complete BUT it's FREE.

 

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/

[Twitcher]

Thanks so much, they're all very useful replies, now I just need the time to do loads of research;)

[CHOIRBOY]

Did you know that there is a Sheffield Family History Society which meets on the Thord Monday of the month at Cemetry Road Baptist Church ( Napier St Entrance. They also have a website

[Heeley tyke]

Genealogy?

I reckon the best place to start is with Adam!!!

[Bago]

I think speaking to existing grandparents or elders within the family really do open up a pandora's box! >.<

[Ruff]

Have a look at http://www.guidetofamilytree.com/ and hopefully you'll find some information to get you started.