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We are discussing Tracing family history
With Antoinette Buchanan, Stephanie Ryan and Jennifer Higgins

Question:
What is the best way to trace english ancestors born/married prior to the 1800s?

Answer:
Stephanie -

The Pre-1800 challenge
There are no censuses, records of civil registration of births, deaths and marriages or other more modern materials with which researchers are familiar. Trying to work back from your known ancestors to earlier ones is harder and largely dependent on using parish records.

Parish records
During the 17th Century the parish took over a number of functions from the manor in relation to local government. These might enable you to trace your family back to the late 16th century. Beyond this it can be extremely difficult, unless you can link to a proven pedigree, such as one for royalty or a significant landowning family.

The parish chest , wooden and locked, held the parish records including baptisms, marriages and burials. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a collection, the indexes of which can be searched at FamilySearch. Most State Libraries and the bigger societies hold collections of parish registers on microform and on CD-ROM. Other parish records which may assist in confirming relationships could include dole books, apprenticeship indentures, workhouse records, poor rates and disbursements, bastardy papers, settlement and removal records and church rate books. Records vary from county to county and usually may be located in the County Record Office. The usefulness of these records will depend on the researcher having identified their family members reliably, finding a clear connection to them in these records and using some local assistance in many cases. Terrick V H FitzHugh in The Dictionary of Genealogy (1998) provides guidance on the form of the parish registers and how to use them. Each of the record terms to which reference has been made are explained and in some cases illustrated.

Internet sites identify these records on a county basis and provide advice in using them. A good starting point is Genuki : UK & Ireland genealogy It is organised by topic and by geographic area. Primary source records are listed right down to the parish level. The level of comprehensiveness varies and depends on who is maintaining the site as well as what is available. The county records are often listed along with contact details. Information about county mailing lists can assist in joining a free discussion group about county topics and provide local advice and assistance.

The official repository for English and Welsh government records, National Archives may be searched using the term ‘pre-1800’. It will bring up quite specific records. Searches using record terms and county name at this site or in Google can also help.

Victoria County Histories provide an authoritative account of English local history. These multi-volumed histories, dedicated to Queen Victoria, which are still being written, aim to cover all towns and villages. Topics include manors and estates, economy, social history, religious activity, local government and buildings. The histories contain some information about individuals and families as a result, and provide a context for the lives of ancestors. State Libraries will hold them, and there is some information on the net including at the Victoria County History site catalogue .

These are general guidelines only - Before conducting pre-1800 research, ensure that your post-1800 information is correct. Locate ancestors reliably in place, time and relationship and search by county for pre-1800 records. These steps help to establish authentic links, important steps in the strategy for this search.

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