RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: kalouk on Friday 30 July 10 23:09 BST (UK)
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Hi, this might seem really stupid to some of you but how do you narrow down your research. I have Ancestry but it has only just occured to me that if you really don't know about older relatives how do decide who is the one for you. I am finding alot of similar names and districts but am finding it hard to figure out who is my relative :-[
Any basic tips would be great and are Ancestry hints usually right?
Thanks
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Hi
Which of the Searches are you using on Ancestry
Is the input screen cream or green
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Hi, I'm so embarrassed asking this but what is the input screen? :-[
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My background is cream but the writing is green if that is of any help :)
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No problem
Say you want to search the 1891 census for example. You select 1891 census and get a blank screen with fields in which you put names/birthyears/birthplaces etc of your ancestor
That is the input screen
Ancestry introduced a dreadful "new" search facility which complicates searching which is why I asked what colour the screen is.
If it's cream - it's the horrible new search so we need to get you to the "old" one which is green and then we can answer your query properly for you
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In the far right hand corner of the input screen - can you see "old search" in very small letter?
If so - click on it and you should get a green screen
Put a tick in the little box that says "Exact matches only"
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Thanks for your patience, I have done as you said ;D I did have the new search!
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Great - this (hopefully) will make things easier for you
On each census you search - make sure the "exact matches only" field is ticked otherwise you will get loads of irrelevant "matches"
Using the 1871 census as an example (this person does not exist):
You want to find Henry James Gomersall who was born approx 1864 and his fathers name was Samuel. He was probably born somewhere in Lancashire
You would input Henry (not his second name) but in the surname field just put Gom** This is called the wildcard search and will produce all surnames beginning Gom that match the rest of your criteria which can counteract any mistranscriptions
In birthyear input 1864 and then select +-2 from and select
In Birthplace - show Lancashire in the County field
In Family Members show Samuel as father
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Just had a thought - post details of one of your relatives that you can't find and we can use them as a real example of how to search - more meaningful
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One of my main problem people is as follows
Arthur Charles Britton born 1883ish and Died in 1955
I know he married gladys caris phillips in 1912 but cannot find any parents names etc to take me any further.
Hope you can help as I am stuck and really wanted to follow this side of the family.
Also he died in Cardiff Glamorgan
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This is his death registration
Arthur C Britton aged 65 December qtr 1955 Cardiff Volume 8b Page 124
This puts his birthyear nearer to 1890 than 1883
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His birth reg
Arthur Charles Britton March qtr 1890 Cardiff Volume: 11a Page: 335
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And the 1891 census reference is RG12 Piece 4408 Folio 40 Page 17
Select the 1891 Welsh census
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/Default.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6897&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0
Scroll down and under Family Members you will see CENSUS
Input the RG 12 reference shown above to find the entry
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Thank you So much for your help, I really appreciate it, I am sat here with a smile on my face like an idiot!! ;D
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Heres the 1901
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/Default.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7815&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0
Ref RG13 Piece 4993 Folio 165 Page 16
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I would just say that if you are finding it difficult to pin down a chap from many alternatives, especially if you aren't sure about his birth date, best to get some certs to be sure you are following the right people.
His marriage cert should give his father's name and occupation which will help in identifying him.
It's only too easy to follow the wrong family.