Researching ancestors
Where to go and who to contact
There are many organisations out there available to help you with your research. Some are central government funded organisations, some are county funded, some are charitable associations, and a few are profit making companies. The most difficult thing about family research is knowing where to start. The answer is not always a simple one because it depends on how far you've got and what you plan to do next. There is no doubt that the internet has made this type of research easier and available to the masses.
If you are planning to look at local registries for Births, Marriages and Deaths, which is as good a place as any to start, there are many places you can go. Census records are also very useful repositories of information and are readily available up to 1911. If you want to go deeper and look at, say, military records or rent books then you will need to know specifically where these records are held.
The organisations listed below are the most common ones genealogists and researchers use in the UK. Many of these organisations can point you at more local information sources, and their websites are often a mine of information. If you are starting from scratch be prepared to take time building up your skills and knowledge - don't rush in too fast. You will go down many blind alleys and follow many false trails, but most people find the information they are looking for in the end, even if it takes them more time than they thought it would.
The first set of organisation below are places to visit. Make sure you know their rules in advance. Typically these are pencils only, no bags allowed (tip: take a see-through bag as these are often allowed in) but laptops are OK and usually need signing in. nearly all the centres are modern and all cater for disabled people. few have cafes or restaurants but all have a rest room with a coffee machine (take a packed lunch). They all have lockers for bags and coats. If you plan to visit them on a Saturday check the opening times. Take some change for lockers and photocopies.
National and county archives:
Each county has an archive or records centre. Some are in or adjacent to the main library, but where they are separate they are usually in accessible locations. Please check opening times before visiting. Most are closed on one day of the week, not all are open every Saturday, and most close for 2 weeks in the winter for stock taking.
The National Archives at Kew, near Richmond, Surrey
This is the UK government's central records repository. It's big, it's modern, it's impressive. It is also in West London and not nice to drive to although it does have free parking for those who get there early. There are two stations not far away so also consider going by train. On your first visit you will be required to formally register and go through an induction tour. A bit daunting by well worth it.
London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) Finsbury, London
This is the County record office for London and holds all archives and historical records for the current "London" area, Note that records from parishes that were once in outlying counties, but are now part of London, are held here. A rest room with tea/coffee machine is available but nearby is Exmouth Market, a street with good cafes.
Surrey History Centre Woking
Very modern and purpose-built as a state-of-the-art records centre. 10 minutes walk from the centre of Woking and the rail station. Free parking at the rear.
West Sussex Records Office Chichester
Small but modern building close to Chichester town centre. Very limited car parking on site - see website for details on booking a space.
East Sussex Records Office Lewes
A very old and interesting building in the centre of Lewes. Only disabled on-site parking.
Centre for Kentish Studies Maidstone
This small centre will move to a large purpose-built library that is due to open in 2012. Still in Maidstone.
Essex Records Office Chelmsford
In the town centre, so no free parking.
Westminster City Council Archives London SW1
Some of the local parish registers for the extensive Westminster area of London have not been fully transcribed and you may find a visit to this small records office useful. Be prepared to search through lots of microfilm and microfiche, but you may end up finding, at last, "Great Great Uncle Fred". It's in the centre of London so don't even think about driving there. Don't forget that street parking charges remain in force in London until 1pm on Saturdays.
History Societies:
The list below are of societies that are very useful for information, knowledge and help. You may find joining one of the societies a worthwhile experience.
West Surrey Family History Society
East Surrey Family History Society
Kent Family History Society
www.kfhs.org.uk
Sussex Family History Group
Hampshire Genealogical Society
Society of Genealogists
For serious researchers.
Companies
These are organisations that provide a service. Most need to make a profit and so either charge via you buying credits on-line or by membership.
Ancestry.com
This is the most used genealogical website used. You either pay using credits or you join up. They have three levels of membership. The top one is not really worth it for UK researchers as it gives access to world-wide records. The middle level gives access to parish records that complements the other organisations' offerings below but has exclusive on-line pre-1837 parish records for London that cannot be found on-line elsewhere.
Findmypast
A competitor to Ancestry. Currently has exclusive rights to 1911 UK census. Comparable costs to Ancestry but the search facilities in Findmypast need a bit of getting used to as you can find no hits when you know the record is there.
Simplifying you search criteria will often find the record. Ancestry usually finds the record first time.
FreeBMD
As the title suggests, free access to the Birth, Marriage and Death records on-line
data is from the 1837-onwards index records so you do not get exact dates but "quarters" for the year and only the registration district and not the town/parish.
Useful for identifying a record exists and then going to Ancestry or FindMyPast to get the actual record for date and town etc.
The Mormon Church LDS site
This is a very useful FREE site from the Mormons. I have found transcriptions of parish records on this site that the others don't have.
The new search facility takes a little getting used to but, with practice, is very good. Has the advantage of being able to search overseas records for free.
The search facilities include the famous IGI which pre-dated all the other sites above.