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LUNCHTIME TALKS

How to Start Your Family Tree

Chaired by Rodney Tye

David Judd

Bath Family History Society

14 July 2005

In this country the key documents in family history are certificates of birth, marriage and death. From the early 17th century these were kept by the church concerned, but in recent times the County Record Offices have been the main places for research.

Mr Judd brought with him an extensive collection of guide books on the subject, which members were able to scrutinise. As a researcher himself. Who has traced his own Judd family history back many generations, the speaker gave an assortment of tips:

  • Talk to elderly relatives. Always take notes. When visiting churchyards etc talk to older residents.
  • Census Returns are valuable. These have been produced every year since 1801. Some are now produced on the web.
  • Wills are documents of public record and old ones provide much useful information.
  • The names of witnesses on certificates etc often give useful information or leads.
  • A valuable leaflet published is called Access to Archives.
  • The IGI – International Genealogical Index includes records long kept by the Mormons in the USA, but taken from British Church records. Caution – not always accurate – verify information elsewhere.
  • In using the Web, it is valuable to search on Google – one site is GENFORUM. You search by County.
  • The Society of Genealogists, 14 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1 is always helpful. They have a Guild of One Name Families, who produce guides just devoted to one family name.
  • Kellys Directories, published each year up to about 1960 are stored in local public libraries.

Mr Judd said on aspect of the satisfaction of the hobby was the detective work it involved. Sometimes surprises – sometimes blanks. It was growing in popularity, with increasing attendances at meetings.

The Bath Family History Society meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 7pm: St Mary’s Church Hall, Bathwick