THE EAST FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(F.A.Q’s)
Q. How do I start searching for my ancestors?
A. Find out initially as much as you can from living relatives, in particular the areas the families lived. Get them to sift through any birth, marriage and death certificates (take copies). Watch out for the family myths - there may be an element of truth BUT check the facts.
The next step is seek out the various record sources held at the Public Record Office (P.R.O.); Family Record Centre (F.R.C.) or if your far enough back the I.G.I. (International Genealogy Index) - most Public Libraries carry a copy on microfiche of the latter, although you may have to prebook their viewer. Join a local Family History Group or find out if the surname you are researching is registered with the Guild Of One-Named Studies (G.O.O.N.S.).
National Census; Parish Chest & Registers; Trade Journals; Local Newspapers; Wills: Court Proceedings; Apprenticeships; The Guild Records; Hospitals, Schools and Workhouse Lists/Registers - these are just some of the areas full of information you may be seeking.
Genealogy now has a very high profile on the Worldwide Web and any good search engine will lead you to the relevant ‘sites’. (e.g. The I.G.I Family Search site)
Q. How do I present my Family Tree?
A. There are various ways of showing your generation lines so chose the one that best suits your own need and stick to it. If you intend to use the Web then it would always be advisable to load on a suitable programme capable of reading in the GEDCOM format. This will enable you to send and receive downloads from the various Web sites offering this service. On the same programme you will also be able to produce and print off different types of Tree - once you’ve inputted your family data.
Q. What sort of costs are involved?
This is entirely depended on the type of research you intend carrying out. Most Public Records give free access. There is a set fee for UK BDM’s (birth, death & marriage) Certificates and Wills but the Indexes can be viewed without incurring any expense other than travelling costs. When it is difficult for you to get to the records - say, due to distance - then professional searchers can be employed at an agreed price for the time they spend researching. Choose with care, preferably through a reputable source e.g. The Family Tree monthly magazine.
Q. What do I have to do to join the EAST FHS?
A. Just click on the ‘Application for Membership’ web page below, print off the form, fill in your details with particular reference to your Genealogy interests and post with the full remittance to our Membership Secretary. (Details on joining are fully covered on this page).
In virtually every case you’ll find there is, at least, one member already researching your same lines of interest. It is our Society’s intention to make certain these common interests are pooled.
Q. What is a ‘Stray’?
This label is given to any person found on any record outside of the area in which they were born. The most common place this will be noted is in the Census Records. A considerable amount of time is wasted on researching ancestors who have left the district in which they originated. A check, therefore, for any stray index kept by the appropriate Family History Group can sometimes save you a good deal of time and effort.
Q. How do I present my Family Tree?
A. There are various ways of showing your generation lines so chose the one that best suits your own need and stick to it. If you intend to use the Web then it would always be advisable to load on a suitable programme capable of reading in the GEDCOM format. This will enable you to send and receive downloads from the various Web sites offering this service. On the same programme you will also be able to produce and print off different types of Tree -
Q. What sort of costs are involved?
This is entirely depended on the type of research you intend carrying out. Most Public Records give free access. There is a set fee for UK BDM’s (birth, death & marriage) Certificates and Wills but the Indexes can be viewed without incurring any expense other than travelling costs. When it is difficult for you to get to the records -
Q. What do I have to do to join the EAST FHS?
A. Just click on the ‘Application for Membership’ web page below, print off the form, fill in your details with particular reference to your Genealogy interests and post with the full remittance to our Membership Secretary. (Details on joining are fully covered on this page).
In virtually every case you’ll find there is, at least, one member already researching your same lines of interest. It is our Society’s intention to make certain these common interests are pooled.
Q. What is a ‘Stray’?
This label is given to any person found on any record outside of the area in which they were born. The most common place this will be noted is in the Census Records. A considerable amount of time is wasted on researching ancestors who have left the district in which they originated. A check, therefore, for any stray index kept by the appropriate Family History Group can sometimes save you a good deal of time and effort.
