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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: annelid on Friday 04 May 07 10:33 BST (UK)

Title: How to search online parish records
Post by: annelid on Friday 04 May 07 10:33 BST (UK)
Hi

I need to start searching in the Parish records for individuals, but am not really sure how to go about it.  I am searching online on Ancestry.  Can anyone give some good tips for how to search?

An example of an individual I have is an Elizabeth Wingfield, born about 1812, in Wingfield Suffolk.  She married a John Stearn (he was from Stradbroke, b 1810) but don't know the date.

Any help on how to search for these and future family members would be great.

Thankyou

Anne
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: Maggott on Friday 04 May 07 10:46 BST (UK)
Ancestry isn't the best start for PRs - have you tried Family Search?  Their IGI isn't perfect but it's fairly easy to use & it's a useful kick-off.  Otherwise I've always found county Records Offices extremely helpful. If you can't get there yourself they'll usually do a search for you. They charge but you don't have the travel expenses.
I expect other Rootchatters will have other ingenious ideas
Good hunting
Maggott
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: moscan on Friday 04 May 07 10:52 BST (UK)
Hello Anne,

welcome to rootschat....

maggot is right  Family Search is a good place to start.....


found the following baptism record of your Elizabeth Wingfield

 24 MAY 1812   Wingfield, Suffolk, England
 
Father Christopher Wingfield

Mother Elizabeth


Best wishes

Mo

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: annelid on Friday 04 May 07 10:55 BST (UK)
Thanks for the replies, and the baptism record.  I will give that site a go.

Anne
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: moscan on Friday 04 May 07 10:57 BST (UK)
hello Anne,

If you do a parent search on the IGI (International Genealogical Index) by putting names of parents ie:  Christopher Wingfield and Elizabeth you get the records of a couple more of their children

Best of luck in your research

Mo
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: ggrocott on Friday 04 May 07 11:17 BST (UK)
If you draw a blank on the IGI and ancestry it is always worth googling place and then the phrase 'parish records' - never ceases to amaze me how many records are on line at various websites including Genuki and Parishmouse.
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: kerryb on Friday 04 May 07 11:33 BST (UK)
Another useful site for parish records although it depends on what county, as coverage differs greatly is www.familyhistoryonline.co.uk

I find it a really useful site and is worth checking for coverage, there is a small charge for records but is reasonable.

Kerry  :)
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: camsnan on Tuesday 08 May 07 21:43 BST (UK)
The IGI is on the Family Search Site, it is the best place to start any family research. 
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: AngelaR on Tuesday 08 May 07 22:03 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat, Anne  :)

The other main UK-wide site for parish records is www.freereg.org.uk

It's not been going that long, so the coverage is patchy. Somerset has the most data in it (which is just as well because the IGI is very feeble for Somerset), followed by Norfolk and Staffordshire. It's worth keeping an eye on.

Do have fun  ;D

Angela
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: Nick29 on Sunday 10 June 07 10:13 BST (UK)
I found a really good trader at http://www.parishchest.com/

This chap does all sorts of books on CD, and parish registers on CD and microfiche from various family history societies.  Obviously you can get all this from the individual societies, but it's good to be able to search for what you want all "under one roof".  The proprietor works 24/7, and is very helpful.
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: bearkat on Sunday 10 June 07 10:36 BST (UK)
Try Googling the surnames you are researching - you may find others have already found out what you need and are willing to share information.

Have a look at Genuki

http://www.genuki.org.uk/

It lists each county and parish giving details of what is available.

If your research is concentrated in a particular area it's worth seeing what records the local family history society have transcribed.  The fiche or CDs cost money but can be much cheaper than visiting a records office.

At the top of each county board on Rootschat is a list of resources and links which can be very useful.

If all else fails try asking for a look-up. ;)
Title: Re: How to search online parish records
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Sunday 10 June 07 11:31 BST (UK)
Hi Anne,

some counties have an Online Parish Clerk (OPC)

if you are lucky enough to find one for the areas you are searching, they have loads of information available.

see OPC in
Topic: RootsChat Topics: LEXICON of Genealogical Terms and Abbreviations
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,234766.0.html

Bob