Family history..

Hi all,

Inspired by the tv programme "Who do you think you are", I'm interested in tracing back my family tree and need some help of where to look.

A google search confirmed my suspicians that there are many sites charging for this service, then there are sites offering free trials...but you have to supply CC details first.

Is it possible to trace my family tree for free or at the very least have a go at it without paying or supplying CC details in the interim untill I know what I am doing?

Anyone have experience of this?

Regards and many thanks!

Steve...

 

Paper work and pics with in your family, start with what you all ready know, be aware you may find things that you may not like, you can do a name search in google
"name"
try libarys

 

It can be an expensive hobby, even without paying for online services: obtaining copies of birth/death/marriage certificates and/or travelling to areas to check parish records. It can also be a huge time eater.

And it can be very rewarding too. A few years ago, I was *found* by a relation who was researching her family history (a half-sister, living in USA).

Then there were other kinds of "surprises" e.g. the great-grandfather who (allegedly!) lost his farm through gambling: the moral being, gambling is a Researched the census, found him. Farm? What farm!??? He kept a cow; just one solitary cow

Tip: we opened a seperate bank account to use to supply online card details. We kept the minimum amount in that account and only used it for geneology. Like anything in life, you should really set yourself a budget for this.

Good luck with it Steve, I'm sure you'll have an interesting time of it. Oh, and do ask around the family to see if anyone else has already begun tracing back the family line; that could save you a few bob. I garnered quite a few copies of photo's and documents from the half-sister who found me.

 

Try some of the free sites - Free BMD, on-line Parish Clerks, the LDS for example, or take a look at Cindi's List for other free sites. Be warned however, a lot (and I mean 'a lot') of the stuff you find on-line is either incomplete or based on assumptions without the necessary documentation to back it up. If you do want to subscribe to something, you don't automatically have to use a credit card - Ancestry for example have a telephone number you can ring where, if you speak to 'an adviser' (or whatever they call them), you can buy an annual subscription without using a credit card.

 

My cousin traced our history back to the 1500's, turns out we came from Dorset.

Try pm'ing everyone called Randles on Facebook, you never know

 

Traced my family back to roughly the 1500's and its lots of crime to be honest. Lots of interesting people as well even found a Lord

 

I did a bit of work using Friends reunited. There is a messageboard area that allows members to communicate and share info. That got me a lot of information and direct links to ancestors back to 1800.
My best shot however was to contact an old Aunt, who I hadn't met for 50 years, but sent a Christmas card each year. On the card 2 years ago I asked if she could give me any information about my mother's and her family beyond Grandad.
I got a letter back from her son who had been researching the information for a few years and he provided details back to the 17th century, including details of a pioneering voyage to America. I now have a family member I admire for her bravery and tenacity.
Mary Smith sailed from Hull to America in charge of Farmers from Yorkshire who settled in New England. She managed to get married to the guy who was responsible for allocating the land out there - good move on her part, I think.

 

As stated previously, be very aware of what may turn up, and more importantly who
you advise of this information, Let them die in happiness not devastation
ie Their husband who was shot and died in France, was actually shot by the British MP
for running the wrong way
Their Grandfather was a PILOT OFFICER shot down and killed body not found
Well in the Second World war a PILOT OFFICER was neither a Pilot nor an Officer
A pilot officer was in charge of a Barage Balloon just twenty miles away, which collapsed on top of him, he is burried just thirty miles away

Or in my case my fathers brother a hero killed at Arnhem, only thing is the white gravestone states John son of Elizabeth, which is shorthand for Barsteward
(in the 40s and even up to the 60s an illegitamate child was a disgrace to a family)

Jack McH

 

I've been to Arnheim Jack. It was 35years ago.
It was a very moving experience.
Reading the entries in the Visitor Book showed the level of interest from around the world.
Being placed in the Cemetary with the many other serviceman is no disgrace. I am sure the many visitors will be less critical in their interpretation of the entry on the headstone. Not all information was available when the Headstones were prepared and, unless someone goes to the effort and expense of amending the details, some information may be missing.
Don't be so hard on your Uncle. Remember him as the hero he surely was.

 

It does not bother me, and according to the UK we now live in, children born IN wedlock is scarce
However if I was to have passed on what I knew to the now aged (at the time of finding out) relations they would be shamed

You should have seen them at Grandmothers Funeral when introduced to their illegitamate sister :-)

Jack McH

 

It was lovely to meet my previously unknown Brother, just wish it hadn't been at Mum's funeral.

 

My missus loves all this geaneology stuff (odd for a 21 yr old!) and has multiple paid for accounts on various sites.

If she can be of any use I'm sure she'd love to help out.

 

My surname is Smith, i would have a hell of a time with that

 

I've found a good place to go was my local library