Cooper family

[louisamurphy]

I have just started my family tree, and am struggling to get information on my mothers side of the family. I know her great aunt was called Louisa Cooper, and from what i have managed to find out, she was most probably born in Fordyce in 1909. I dont have any other information, and I know its not very much to be going along with but if anyone can help me I would be delighted thanks

Louisa

[PaulineJ]

What certificates do you hold?
What records are definites, and which are probables?

Pauline

[louisamurphy]

i have none!!! i really am starting from scratch. I know my great aunt died in 1994 aged 84, and i have managed to find a Louisa Cooper born in 1909 in Fordyce, its the only one there is so by process of elimination i figured it should be her. If its any help, she had a brother called Alexander (Sandy) who was my grandfather. There may also have been a brother called Robert.  Sorry I dont have any more information to go on.

Louisa

[MonicaL]

Hi Louisa

As you are just starting out, it is important for you to verify some of the information through official sources such as BMD certificates to make sure you don't make mistakes early on. It gets easier into the 19th century to work back in many cases as there are other sources you can use such as census information to help you.

For example, did your grandparents marry in Scotland? If so, you should be able to find their marriage certificate on Scotlands People. It is pay to view but costs are reasonable. At present you can only view images for marriages on line up to 1933 after which date you have to order an extract (which you can do on line through SP for £10). You can search the marriage indexes beyond 1933 up to 2006 to find the correct GROS references for the marriage.

Scottish marriage certs include full details of bride and groom's parents, including mother's maiden name. This will let you work back to the next generation.

Monica