Genealogy Chat

The thing I found difficult was - having always been told to always work backwards, with parish registers you are working forwards. it takes a while to adjust to this. you could also mention that, anyone planning to go and search should be prepared for the fact that most of the writing is very bad, fainy or almost illegible. You need good eyesight and choosing a day when you have a headache already is not a good idea!! ann Glos

Are they as strict about pens and pencils as Kew? I got in trouble for touching the book (not using paper to rest fingers/hand on) and not using the book rests!!!!

As a veteran plodder of Parish Records I would agree that tedious as it is, you need to start at the beginning and work forwards, noting every instance of your Name. You will be very, very cross, if you have to go back six months later to look at the previous thirty years! In my experience, Parish Regs differ wildly in the details - some have barely the bald names, others give a mini family history. Don't ignore the beginning and end of the films - they often have invaluable information which gives you clues e.g. 'The old Parish Church of St Trumpington was destroyed by fire in 1789 and the Congregation joined with that of the Baptist Mission for five years'. You will often find Church Seating plans, subscription lists, Sunday School Class Registers etc - and in one I found a wonderful list of Excommunications for Adultery and Fornication. Incidentally, I found it EASIER to read entries from 1556-1700 than later ones - don't know what he was using for ink, but I wouldn't mind some! Finally, keep a special notebook for Parish Entries and head up the pages and references AS YOU DO THEM - you will forget if you don't. Good luck with your talk! Marjorie

Sounds like a talk I would like to listen to Tabby, or maybe read your transcript ;) Don't forget to mention that in 9 out of 10 cases the Clerics handwriting is so appalling that you need Cheltenham GCHQ to decipher it for you. ( just had a bad day at the Essex Records Office ).

Thank you everyone for your input. You've all been suggesting bits and pieces that I wouldn't have thought of myself and I am very grateful. Guy, I'll just send you the Mogadon, shall I?!