{"id":15344,"date":"2022-05-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=15344"},"modified":"2022-05-09T11:33:25","modified_gmt":"2022-05-09T09:33:25","slug":"expert-tips-on-finding-that-elusive-ancestor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/2022\/05\/03\/expert-tips-on-finding-that-elusive-ancestor\/","title":{"rendered":"Expert tips on finding that elusive ancestor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Finding That Elusive Ancestor<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

Genealogist Katherine Cobb <\/strong>shares her expert advice for smashing brick walls and growing your family tree<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

How many times have you spent hours searching for an ancestor, only to give up with an exasperated \u201cThey must <\/em>be there; why can\u2019t I find them?\u201d Migration, name changes, illegible records and transcription errors are just a few of the reasons that our forebears apparently disappear. Often they are just waiting to be found, but for various reasons can\u2019t easily be traced. Frequently the answer lies in using our imagination to think of ways of flushing out that much-needed record.<\/p>\n\n

Over the next few pages I\u2019m going to reveal my tips for locating an elusive forebear, getting the most out of genealogical websites, and locating evidence of a relationship when an entry in a parish register or certificate just can\u2019t be found.<\/p>\n\n

Check your information <\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Take nothing for granted when you\u2019re researching<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

Whenever you\u2019re having difficulty in tracing an ancestor, it is important to re-examine all of the material you have gathered. Look at everything critically. Are there any inconsistencies; does anything look not quite right? Are there any sources you have ignored? Never assume that because the information came from your favourite great aunt or was found on someone else\u2019s online tree that it must be correct. Always check back to original documents and, if possible, more than one source. For example, instead of relying on just one census, check age and place of birth against several. If you\u2019re unable to find someone where the census states they were born, take another look at the census return. Is there another place with a similar name? If the county has been omitted from the entry, you could be looking in completely the wrong area. Compare the birth certificates of siblings, and census information with that from birth, marriage and death certificates; does it all tie up? Above all, make sure you keep an open mind.<\/p>\n\n

Go Wild<\/span><\/h4>\n\n


If a search isn\u2019t getting results, try substituting \u2018?\u2019 for a single character or \u2018*\u2019 for any number of characters. A wildcard will overcome the problem of a letter being wrongly transcribed.<\/p>\n\n

Understand Your Sources <\/span><\/h4>\n\n


It helps to put records into context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The more you know about a source, the easier it may become to understand why you can\u2019t find an ancestor. For example, knowing who was eligible to vote could explain why a person is absent from an electoral register, while understanding how the censuses were taken may help you appreciate why discrepancies occur. Look for explanations in the \u201cAbout these records\u201d sections of subscription websites and the research guides provided by county archives.<\/p>\n\n

Use your imagination <\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Don\u2019t be too strict with census records<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

Be imaginative when searching the census.<\/p>\n\n

Your ancestor may be listed by their initials, the surname of the family they were lodging with, or that of a stepfather, to name just a few possibilities. Entries with initials only were a common feature of workhouse census returns, too. If you know where and roughly when your relation was born, look for anyone born at that place within a specific timespan. Try using different combinations of what is known in your searches; perhaps provide only the Christian name, age and county of birth and include the names of parents or siblings.<\/p>\n\n

Also, if you know where someone lived but a name search hasn\u2019t worked, consider searching by address. How this can be undertaken varies.<\/p>\n\n

Findmypast (findmypast.co.uk<\/a>) has a specific address-search tool; on Ancestry (ancestry.co.uk<\/strong><\/a>) <\/strong>you can browse a particular collection to page through an enumeration district.<\/p>\n\n

Search different sites<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Always check what is included in the site you\u2019re using. As well as subscription websites, make the most of free resources such as FamilySearch (familysearch.org<\/a>), FreeREG (freereg.org.uk<\/a>) and Online Parish Clerks (genuki.org.uk\/big\/OPC<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n

View the image<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Never rely on transcripts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

With so many sources online, it is easy to rely on search engines and transcribed results. Although searching family history websites is generally an efficient strategy, errors do occur \u2013 names may be misspelled or mistranscribed, and early records may be faded or damaged. If you\u2019re unable to find an entry, go back to the original source. Digital images of many records, particularly parish registers, can be found online; try the \u2018Browse\u2019 option on Findmypast or Ancestry to page through registers. If they are not available online, visit the appropriate record office to search microform copies.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Try probate records<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Where there\u2019s a will\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

If you just can\u2019t find a baptism or marriage, a probate record may hold the answer. A will could prove an otherwise elusive relationship. Also records relating to death duty (payable between 1796 and 1903) are full of information, including details of beneficiaries and executors.<\/span> Relationships are often noted, since close relatives were exempt. Indexes and registers are at The National Archives (see tinyurl.com\/tna-guidedeath-duties<\/a>). <\/strong>Indexes for the whole period are also on Findmypast, while registers prior to 1858 may be viewed at Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints Family History Centers.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Mind your ages<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Don\u2019t take ages as gospel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Stating our age or date of birth is such a part of modern life that we tend to forget that this information was less important to our ancestors and was seldom recorded before civil registration. You should consider the circumstances under which the age was recorded as well. A man too young to join the Army may have overstated his age in order to enlist.<\/p>\n\n

A minor may have added a year or two to their age on marriage to avoid requiring their parents\u2019 consent, while someone with a much older or younger spouse may have adjusted their age by a few years. Age at death was often overstated, probably because it was a guess on the part of the person providing the information. Also in the 1841 census the ages of those over 15 were generally rounded down to the nearest five years.<\/p>\n\n

Try property records<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

These resources can help you trace your relation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Have you reached the point in your research where a parish register entry comprises little more than a date and a name, and it seems impossible to establish which records relate to your ancestor? If so, search the catalogue of the county archives for property records of possible interest. These documents often include phrases such as \u201celdest son and heir of\u2026\u201d, \u201cdaughter of\u2026 and granddaughter of\u2026\u201d, or include a wife\u2019s maiden name \u2013 details that pin down an individual.<\/p>\n\n

Restrict your searches<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Instead of a general search of all records, look at a website\u2019s catalogue and search only those record sets in which you\u2019re interested. Restrict searches by date range or confine the search to a particular place.<\/p>\n\n

Bless Those Bishops<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

If parish registers are a problem then seek out BTs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Bishops\u2019 Transcripts (BTs) are copies of parish registers sent annually to the bishop. Although gaps appear in all series, they can help when parish registers are illegible or missing, and may include details that aren\u2019t in the original registers. Locate surviving transcripts using local archives\u2019 catalogues and Bishops\u2019 Transcripts and Marriage Licences, 6th Edn by Jeremy Gibson (The Family History Partnership, 2013).<\/p>\n\n

Baptism brick walls<\/span><\/h4>\n\n


Try these strategies if you can\u2019t find a baptism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Most children were baptised into the Church of England, but if you\u2019re unable to find a baptism then consider whether the parents were Protestant nonconformist, Roman Catholic or members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).<\/p>\n\n

When civil registration began in England and Wales in 1837, most Protestant nonconformist registers were collected and deposited at the General Register Office. These are now held at The National Archives in Kew, and form the basis of the large collections of nonconformist records on the main subscription websites. However, not all registers were submitted and while some may still remain with the church, others can now be found in county archives. The Society of Genealogists sells several publications that can help you locate nonconformist records (societyofgenealogists-shop.myshopify.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n

Many Roman Catholic registers have been retained by parish priests. However, a few are held at The National Archives while others are in county archives. There are also useful collections on Findmypast and ScotlandsPeople (scotlandspeople.gov.uk<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n

Some Quaker registers can be accessed via subscription sites, while others are at The National Archives in series RG 6 and in county archives.<\/p>\n\n

For counties that have few resources available online, check to see if the local family history society has produced indexes of parish registers.<\/p>\n\n

Alumni records<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Did an ancestor study at university?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Cambridge (Trinity College is pictured) and Oxford published registers (Alumni Cantabrigienses <\/em>and Alumni Oxonienses) <\/em>listing all known students, graduates and officers. Entries include father\u2019s name and other family-related details. Cambridge records are at venn.lib.cam.ac.uk<\/a> <\/strong>and for Archive (<\/span>archive.org<\/a>), along with registers for Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.<\/p>\n\n

Save on certificates<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Find the mother\u2019s maiden name before making a purchase<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Although the births of most babies were registered with a given name, occasionally they were registered simply as \u201cmale\u201d or \u201cfemale\u201d. This was particularly the case with babies who were not expected to survive. Checking the mother\u2019s maiden name can help when deciding whether to purchase a birth certificate. Prior to mid-1911, this can be found on Findmypast (not complete) and the General Register Office\u2019s website gro.gov.uk<\/a>. <\/strong>You need to register to use the site, but access to the indexes is free. This website is also the only one that gives the age shown on a death certificate prior to 1866.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Vary name spellings<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Don\u2019t be led astray by how a name is recorded<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Remember that when literacy rates were low and regional accents more pronounced, variation in the spelling of surnames was commonplace. This was particularly so with uncommon names, and those beginning with vowels or \u2018H\u2019. So the name Oney may be recorded as \u201cHoney\u201d, and Hallot as \u201cEllett\u201d or \u201cAylott\u201d. Do not assume that because your family spells Browne with a final \u2018e\u2019 that it has always been spelled that way.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

A slightly different problem exists with first names. A person might appear with their full name in one record, in another by its diminutive form and in another by a middle name. Always check all possibilities, including those diminutives that are quite unlike their full form, such as Nancy for Anne, and Peggy for Margaret.<\/p>\n\n

Another technique is to leave one of the name fields blank. This can be especially useful when you\u2019re reasonably sure of the place or approximate date of an event. If unable to find a marriage, search using first names and place only, with a limited date range.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Remember memorials<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Memorial inscriptions can contain crucial details<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n

Headstones and other memorial inscriptions often feature several individuals, sometimes spanning<\/span> generations and detailing relationships. Where a parish register entry can\u2019t be found, a headstone may<\/span> provide the only evidence of a link between individuals. Many memorial inscriptions have been transcribed by<\/span> family history societies. Some are available online; others may be purchased from the Family History Federation\u2019s<\/span> website parishchest.com<\/a> or the relevant society. Find A Grave (<\/span>findagrave.com<\/a>) and Billion Graves (billiongraves. com) are free resources containing millions of memorials<\/span> from around the world, sometimes with photographs.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Photos: GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Genealogist Katherine Cobb shares her expert advice for smashing brick walls and growing your family tree<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":15343,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"17","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"17","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_17-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_17-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"June-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"June-2022","purple_external_id":"June-2022-17-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"June-2022-17-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000105659||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000105659||","purple_android_product":"com.im.wdytya.191","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.wdytya.191","purple_ios_product":"com.im.wdytya.191","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.wdytya.191","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"ef59bcf9-d1d8-4088-a81b-df06cc4ab496","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-05-04T13:06:14Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"fa8e4b43-156c-403e-801d-6b54bc5788e5","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-05-09T09:33:34Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A-o5LQxVsQD6AHWtUvFeI5Q","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[19],"tags":[72,69],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"10","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1.jpg",1448,2048,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1-212x300.jpg",212,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1-768x1086.jpg",768,1086,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1-724x1024.jpg",724,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1-1086x1536.jpg",1086,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/fbe7843b-ab8c-4254-9e49-14bdfc7afbd1.jpg",1448,2048,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Genealogist Katherine Cobb shares her expert advice for smashing brick walls and growing your family tree","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15344"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15344"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16005,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15344\/revisions\/16005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/wdytya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}