Genealogy Chat

to borrow from the library or buy to keep for reference
There was, I thought, a thread about books, but I cannot find it.

Beginning Your Family History
by George Pelling

and

The Family Tree Detective - Tracing your ancestors in England and Wales
by Colin D. Rogers

The very best book on this subject - covers almost everything, is Ancestral Trails, by Herber.

I left a note on here recently - to look at extracts of unusual, rare books - check out google books search. Go to google page, click on more and then click on search books. Use key words to search.

I followed up on Heather's original message re: 'search books'... pretty good too; have a peep!

The problem with books is that they are out of date so quickly, with technology taking over from paper records.

Margaret

Thank you, Heather, that's a really good tip.

I agree, to a certain extent, about electronic technology. However, computers can break down, whereas my books stay on my bookshelf and are brilliant as reference books.

Please add any more that you find useful. I shall add some more another time that I have on my bookshelves.

By Eve McLaughlin

First steps in family history

The poor are always with us The Victorian poor and after

Annals of the poor

"The Family and Local History Handbook" is very useful. The current issue is number 10, with number 11 being due out some time in 2008.

These handbooks are amply illustrated and contain a wide range of specialist articles plus addresses for records offices, etc.

I have a couple of the earlier volumes too and find that some of the articles are more relevent to my research now than when I bought the book.

Definitely a worthy addition to any genealogist's bookshelf!

I found one book on google books with literally pages of M.I.s for Bermondsey in the 18th century. Also a record of the death of one of my line on a ship returning from India in the 18th century - we had believed hed died at sea but not found confirmation before.

Oh another tip - abebooks - google for them. If you enter a key word there it brings up books for areas or subjects - second hand ones. I got one recently on 300 years of the Thames, Hays Wharf. Brilliant book, about 60 years old, got it for a fiver plus postage. Smashing stuff in there, very useful indeed.

nudge

Dear All

Hello Joy, these are the books that I have found most helpful:

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TRACING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
by KATHY CHATER

ISBN 978 1 845 43 291 1

Published by Apple Press, Anness Publishing 2008

1. This book covers the first steps, how to keep and organise records, etc.

2. There is information on BMD certificates and what information you will find on the censuses.

3, Also included is social history of working lives of people, education, etc.

4. There are sections about looking for migrant ancestors.

5. All chapters give details of organisations, websites etc that can be contacted for further help and advice.

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Another book that can help later on is:

READERS DIGEST LOCAL HISTORY DETECTIVE

ISBN 978 0 276 44 259 9.
www.readersdigest.co.uk

1. This book give comprehensive advice and website links to using maps, parish records, newspapers etc to help you with your search.

2. There is a directory of sources and contacts, especially concerning individual record offices.

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These books can be purchased at very reasonable prices on
www.amazon.co.uk or borrowed from a library.

Very best wishes.
xx

Thank you.

Any old A-Z style map for the area of your research. I picked up a 2nd edition London A-Z on a 2nd hand stall at a music festival 5 years ago. It dates from 1938 and cost £3. It shows all the Victorian streets my lot lived in and has been more use than my Victorian A-Z that cost £20 from the FRC

I'd also recommend Shortcuts in Family History by Michael Gandy for any newbies.It explains the shortcuts that could lead you up the garden path and helps get over the "assumptions" we all make when we start out. (ie all kids born in wedlock"

If you look on www.abebooks.co.uk you are bound to find such treasures as these.

Thank you.

Nudge for this very helpful thread.

Thank you.
x

'The Female Line - Researching your Female Ancestors' by Margaret Ward, Countryside Books 2003, ISBN: 978-1853068188

Very easy short read and absolutely brilliant for anyone interested in the women of their family.

For new readers

There's a reading list in the course handbook here:
http://www.strath.ac.uk/genealogy/