ARMCHAIR
ARCHIVES
A lot of my research has been done online. Although the internet is no substitute for finding solid facts, sometimes it just isn't possible to put in the legwork. If a detail is found on one database I try not to take it as read until I have confirmed it from at least one other source, certain sites have been a great help with cross-referencing infomation from one site to another and very often back again.
Click on the pictures and links below to go to some of the sites I've found most useful.
... a completely FREE site, run by the Church of Latterday Saints, where you will find transcriptions of the 1881 Census, the International Genealogical Index, and much more.
... a FREE searchable index of the Civil Registration index of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales with the option to contact the General Register Office online, or the addresses of any local regester offices you require to purchase coppies of any entries you find. This is an ongoing project so if you don't find what you're looking for the first time you visit, it is worth going back, again and again.
... a searchable database for the 1901 Census for England and Wales. Searches are free and an advanced search option gives you the ability to narrow your search, and the number of possibilities, although there is a charge for actually viewing the eventual information you find.
... FREE to upload and search. Contact other researchers via e-mail. Part of the Ancestry network.
... FREE to upload and search, but a small subscription is required to actually exchange information. Contact information on this site it completely secure.
... This site has a different twist to it, instead of uploading your tree, you enter details of the people you have already found on the 1881 Census and it matches you with anyone researching the same household.
Ancestral Villages ... This site is fun, as sugested by the title, you choose your village and add any info you have about the people who lived there. Definately one for playing with your information when you've found it, with the added benefit that you can still contact anyone else who is researching families in the same village.
This site is a wonderful idea, copywright law doesn't allow you to put your purchased certificates online but this site allows you to add the purchased information from each certificate you have, thus allowing you to share it with others. Please pass this site on and add as many certificates as you can.
The number of researchers who have their Family Trees displayed online is growing rapidly, here are some of the sites I've encountered which are connected to my tree ...
The link to Sylvia's site from mine is self evident from the title. You'll need a password to visit but click on the link and you can e-mail her for the password from there.
Derbyshire Born, Derbyshire Bred
Linda's Tree is linked to mine via Charles Battersby (b.1835) in Barnborough, York. Charles married Marrianne Free (b.1834) in Barnborough in 1858. Marrianne was the sister of William Free (b.1822), my Great x2 Grandfather.
Margaret's Deer Family are connected to my Kettridge research in Cambridge. Sophia Kettridge (b.1795) married William Free (b.1794). William was the older brother of John Free (b.1801), my Great x3 Grandfather.
The Winstanley and Berrill site is linked to mine via my Great x 3 Grandfather, John Free (b.1801). John's younger brother, James Free (b.1807) was Teresa's Great x3 Grandfather. Click on the link and e-mail Teresa for the password to her site.
James Connections Oldbury on Severn
The James connection to my tree comes via the Giles branch. Emma James (b.1854) and Richard Giles (b.1853) were my Grandmother's Grandparents. Ask Bronwen for the password to visit her site when you click on the link.
The Barretts are linked to my site via John Barrett (b.1849) who married Abigail Collett. Abigail's brother, David Collett, married Harriet Judith Free (b.1863). Harriet's youngest brother, Nimrod James (b.1870) was my Great Grandfather. Ask Geoff for the password when you visit.
Local Family History Societies are great sources of information and well worth joining. Below are links to just a few I've visited along the way ...
Cambridgeshire Family History Society
The main branch of my tree, the FREE's, came from Horseheath in Cambridge.
Essex Society for Family History
My earlier FREE's origingated from Hadstock in Essex before they moved across the county border to Horseheath.
The Glamorgan Family History Society
From 1854, the FREE's moved to Glamorgan. The CUTTERS, GILES' and JAMES' were also on the borders of Glamorgan and Monmouth.
Nottingham Family History Society
A lot of the research for the siblings of my Great x2 Grandad, William Free (b.1822) has taken me to the Nottingham area.
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