Category Archives: research tips

A few weeks have passed and I have been plodding away at downloading and sorting my family history records. I have only added 8 people to my current family tree on Ancestry but these are all well researched and I am confident in the records I have collected (some of the Ancestry hints are really bad records!).

As well as saving historical records I sent off for some BMD certificates for close family as it felt strange not having these. It also helped to fill in some information and add connections I didn’t previously have.

I enjoyed watching the recent D-Day commemorations and was hoping to find some new information as so many family history sites were free over the weekend. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to find anything. I have a couple of relatives who fought in the Second World War but have not been able to access their service records yet.

Previous posts:

Week 13 update

Week 12 update

Week 6 update

Week 5 update

Week 4 update

Week 3 update

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

The problem with Ancestry

Thanks to all the paperwork I found last weekend I’ve been busy scanning and saving over 100 documents. It was quite fun looking back at my old research and I found letters I wrote, including one from 1990 when I was just starting my research whilst still at school!

It was interesting to see the letters because now everything is via email and I haven’t kept any of them, and I also make less enquiries as so much can be found online. I also came across lots of research I had forgotten about and done again, reminding me how valuable this project is to save everything in the right place. I am still keeping paper documents, but it is much easier to find digital versions on my laptop.

As well as the scanning I did a little saving of Ancestry documents. I merged some duplicate entries and added a few and the total number of ancestors stands at 504 people.

Previous posts:

Week 12 update

Week 6 update

Week 5 update

Week 4 update

Week 3 update

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

The problem with Ancestry

I’ve had a little Bank Holiday push to get some more records saved and organised. My people count has now increased to 500 people and 72 photos and I’m being firm with myself and trying not to add any more people from branches .i.e siblings and their children. I’m also not adding any of my own photos as I really want all my research on my own site.

We also sorted out a cupboard and I found a few certificates I had lost, thank goodness for Bank Holidays.

Previous posts:

Week 6 update

Week 5 update

Week 4 update

Week 3 update

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

The problem with Ancestry

I completed the Stage 1 family history course with the Society of Genealogists which was really good.  I’ve now completed the Stage 1 and Stage 3 so I’m thinking I will sign up to the Stage 2 course.

Last week I spent a lot of time learning about Marianne Nantes, the first wife of Henry Harper. His second wife was Julia Young, sister of Alfred Young, my 2xgreat grand father. I should not have become side tracked by Marianne Nantes but she had a fascinating life, about 9 children, and an infamous father (Henry Nantes, look him up).

Previous posts:

Week 5 update

Week 4 update

Week 3 update

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

The problem with Ancestry

Despite cancelling the Find My Past subscription I have been continuing to procrastinate from my important historical task. My list of connected ancestors on my family tree has risen to 387 people as I discovered a new-to-me Young relation, based in Sheerness. This took me on a wonderful trip down the rabbit hole and I added several interesting characters to my family tree.

So I have not had time to download any of my existing records. Better luck next week.

Previous posts:

Week 4 update

Week 3 update

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

The problem with Ancestry

Actually nothing to report this week as there has been no progress at all. I need to make some time for this as I really want to cancel my Ancestry subscription and spend the money on something else. The list of people is still at 321. I have done 28% so far.

I have been enjoying listening to the recordings from the Stage 1 Family History course run by the Society of Genealogists.

I need to complete my little project as soon as I can!

Week 2 update

Week 1 update

The problem with Ancestry