Where to start with a Smith !!!!

[adrian7886]

Hi.
I thought it might be interesting to start tracing some of my Fathers family history. My father died in 1977 when I was young and as far as I know he has no surviving brothers or sisters. I do know he was one of seven children and where his family lived. I have also managed to find out his exact location and date of birth and applied for a copy of his birth certificate in the hope that this may lead me somewhere. However with a name like Smith I very much doubt its going to be easy. A push in the right direction would be most helpful.  

[RootsChat]

Dear Adrian,

I have a popular name too...........Roberts!

Do not be put off with your Smith, you have done well to find a birth date and apply for the certificate.  It is only when you receive the certificate, you will find out your Grandfathers name and trade, your Grandmothers maiden name and of course the address where they lived at your fathers birth.

This will be the start of your research.

Once you have the information, please feel free to ask for any help you may need.

Regards

Sarah
Admin

[Ely-ite]

Hi
Sometimes you can also get more help or information by researching a sibling with a more unusual first name. If you are lucky one will be more rarer than another
Sarah is right don't give up and keep asking lots of questions

[rts-ninja]

People on this website are so helpful. 

[weste]

I had 2 lines of smiths to search and possibly there's a 3rd.  Surprisingly they tracked back fairly easily.  So don't diapair yet!

[emeltom]

You think you've got problems. My grandmother's maiden name was Smith and guess what - she married a Smith!
 
However by careful research using Census information and as many BMD certs as I could find I have taken one branch back to the 1750's and the other back to the 1650's, so it is possible.

 It does tend to become a bit more difficult when you get beyond the Censuses and civil registration and have to start relying on Parish Register information, but that is the same with any name.

 All I can say is be thorough in you research and if you're not sure of something make a note of it and put it in a 'Maybe' file until you can either confirm or deny it.

Emeltom

[Meriel]

I have also had a fairly easy time of it with my Smiths.

As my 3x Great Grandparents had 11 Smith children it may explain why there are so many of us  and if that wasn't enough they then adopted another child (but that is another story).

I have had more trouble with my 'Harts' argh! 

[Gaille]

I have also had a fairly easy time of it with my Smiths.

As my 3x Great Grandparents had 11 Smith children it may explain why there are so many of us  and if that wasn't enough they then adopted another child (but that is another story).

I have had more trouble with my 'Harts' argh! 

LOL MY Smiths & Evans's were reasonably easy - the more unusual Bebbingtons & Childs have driven me insane tho!