Genealogy Chat

I read with interest the threads posted on here in order to find tips that may help me but could some kind person explain where to find the records mentioned, i.e. Barstardy Records - are they kept in the library or the parish church or where? Parish records - are they always kept at the actual church where someone was christened/married or where? If they are kept at churches can anyone go at any time to view of is it by appointment only. Any information of this nature would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Linda

Linda, The Latter Day Saints who own the IGIfamilysearch website have centres all over the country, if you look at their website you can find the nearest one to you, they have many parish registers and all sorts of records on Microfiche or film that you can order for a couple of pounds and then veiw at their centre., check out the website for details.

wwwfamilysearch.org

Nicky

Nicky: Thank you for your input. I do have an LDS centre very close to my home but when I used their facilities the microfiche didn't tell me anything more than I already knew i.e. the names of the two people who got married, no parents names, no address, no nothing so I wasn't very impressed after waiting 2 weeks for the film to arrive.

Karen: thanks for your input. Are the Records Offices the same as what used to be called the Town Hall? Trouble is my rellies are all Londoners so there must be so many records offices how do I decide which one to go to?

By the way I go to Cambridgeshire (March) twice a year (usually June and December) to visit my brother so would be happy to help whilst there if the need arises.

Linda, the records offices ( or archives) could be in the town hall, but are usually separate.
If you google the county records office for the county your are looking for, it will give you the address and phone number.

As for which office, ring and ask the area they cover.
Dont forget parish records pre 1837 actually contain very little data, they need to be used in conjunction with other sources such as wills etc.

Linda what you saw at the LDS centre *were* the parish records. They're exactly the same as the ones you'll find at the Records Office.

What information you get in the registers depends on the year and the vicar, but in the case of very old marriages you'll get nothing more than the parties' names and the date.

Linda,

The majority of parish records for London are held at the London Metroplitan Archive (Google for more info), a great place to visit for info, although it has a reduced capacity at the moment due to refurbishment works until after Easter.
These cover the areas of the old London County Council and Middlesex County Council, so if you rellies came from areas slightly further out then these maybe held at Essex, Kent or Surrey ROs. Also, I believe that Westminster keeps it's own records, but I've not needed to look at these so cannot be sure. The LMA website has an online catalogue, so worth checking before any visit.
Do you know what part of London?

Rob

Keith: I just tried to google "County Record Offices for Bethnal Green", it throws up masses of things which all seem to contradict each other i.e. Records for Bethnal Green in East Sussex, West Sussex, Middx. and more. I know Bethnal Green/Bishopsgate etc. all came under Middlesex. Would some kind person take a look and let me know the result so that I can then look to see how you arrive at your answer. Sorry to be such a nuisance, think it's part and parcel of not being computer literate and getting old!!!

Linda,

Our posts crossed! Bethnal Green certainly comes under the LMA.

Rob

Thanks Rob. I'll have to list everything I need to find then make a trip to LMA after Easter.

Do you know if Southwark/Camberwell/Walworth are also kept at LMA please

Linda,

Looks like it. Here is a link to a map of what areas they cover (the white and green areas for the sort of timespan most useful):
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/leisure_heritage/
libraries_archives_museums_galleries/lma/lma_area_map.htm
(All one line, no spaces)


Be aware though that not everything that you think should be there actually is, so worth looking through the catalogue. If you can't find what you want, e-mail them. They can take a couple of weeks to get back, but are very helpful.

Rob

Linda,

Forgot to add, although they are still doing the refurb, you can go before Easter if you want. Most of the reduced capacity now is for looking at original (paper) records, rather than the parish registers on micro film. Depends what else you want to see. There is the odd bit of banging too.

Rob

Thank you very much Rob for all your help it is very much appreciated.