newbie needs guidance

[teenybash1980]

I just recently decided to start tracing my family tree so I can pass it down to my little boys when they get older. I only have my mum and dad to help me get started and there knowledge is pretty slim lol. On my mother's side I have my grandad john burns nelson his mother Rachael nelson and her father possibly grandfather Hugh nelson who was the captain aboard the lifeboat that saved people during the 1953 princess Victoria disaster. I have no idea what to do next and very much aware that I have a lot of loose ends. Can anyone please help guide me or give me any info you might have. It would be truelly appreciated
 

[KentishChris]

Hi teenybash!

Welcome to rootschat! 

I have only recently started my family research too. Luckily my uncle managed to trace back all lines to about the 1820's on my mother's side, so I have had to start fresh on my father side.
I began by getting dates, stories, photos, and certificates that relatives have.
I then wrote it all up, organised it all, so I could then start looking at censuses.

I have found rootschat an amazing site, with so much information, and so many great members willing to give you a hand when you think you have hit a brick wall.

So good luck with the research, sorry I couldn't be of more help, but hopefully someone else will be able to give you a more detailed way of moving in the right direction! 

Chris

[kevinf2349]

A quick Google discovered this http://www.donaghadeelifeboat.co.uk/history.html

1953
 A Bronze Medal and the British Empire Medal were awarded to Coxswain Hugh Nelson for the courage, skill and initiative shown during a service to the car ferry Princess Victoria which sank during a storm on 31 January. Donaghadee lifeboat saved 31 people but sadly 133 people died. Lifeboats from Portpatrick, Cloughey and Newcastle were also involved in the search for survivors.
 

Kevin

[gaffy]

A quick Google discovered this http://www.donaghadeelifeboat.co.uk/history.html

1953
 A Bronze Medal and the British Empire Medal were awarded to Coxswain Hugh Nelson for the courage, skill and initiative shown during a service to the car ferry Princess Victoria which sank during a storm on 31 January. Donaghadee lifeboat saved 31 people but sadly 133 people died. Lifeboats from Portpatrick, Cloughey and Newcastle were also involved in the search for survivors.
 

Kevin

And this, which suggests birth / death details:

http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/Donaghadee.htm

Now armed with a birth date in or around 1890 and the fact he was in the 1910 Donaghadee lifeboat crew - meaning that he must have lived in or extremely close to Donaghadee (think about it, when the call goes up to launch the lifeboat) - you may want to have a look at the 1901 / 1911 Ireland censuses to see what you can find.  For example, here is a possible candidate of approximately the right age in the right place in the 1911 census...

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Donaghadee_Urban/Shore_Street/264902/ 

Added: Same family in 1901...

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Ballycross/Shore_Street/1255528/

Added: And if this is the right family, then from the 1911 census (if you click on 'show all information' in the census record) you will see it show that William George Nelson is 32 years married to wife Martha, so now you're looking for such a marriage in or around 1879 with those names.  For example, there was a William George Nelson married a Martha Fullerton in Donaghadee Church of Ireland in 1880.


 

[gaffy]

Teenybash1980, apologies by the way, I should have answered your question rather than run away off to Donaghadee

There is loads of help and guidance on the forum, in the beginners section in particular, here is one example, someone else reading this may point you towards more / better links:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,480454.0.html

[MaggieTag]

Hi Teenybash,

I've attached a link to the Public Records Office NI which lists a series of information sheets on tracing your family. See here

Mags

[teenybash1980]

fantastic thanks folks. does anyone know how to access death records? ive noticed that sarah nelson was in the 1901 cencus but she isnt in the 1911 one and id really like to know what happened to her. ive been searching for ages but everything keeps taking me to america. thank you again 

[Lisacul Rosie]

Hi Teenybash,

Looking at most of the other births registrations they all appear to be in Newtonards.

Sarah Nelson Birth

Sarah Nelson Deceased

David Nelson 1911

Another Sarah Nelson birth registered for Belfast may be for another family as a number appear in 1911 census either born in Antrim or Belfast.

[taramcdsmall]

Hi 'teeny...' and welcome !

As you are just starting doing your tree can I give you some tips that I wish I had of had at the start.

1. Take you time

2. Get paperwork to back everything up

When I started doing my tree I was like a mad woman trying to get it as big as possible as quick as possible and it's terribly addictive, and of course doing it this way was silly as I made a LOT of mistakes.

Start with your children's baptism certs

Then you obviously have your marriage cert

Then (going up your own tree) add your birth cert

Then get your parents marriage certs

Then get your parents birth certs

Once you are happy that you have the foundation of your tree correct, add some nice pics and stories to bring each person to life. Add in siblings and what information you want to on them.

As you are happy with each generation, then you can go back another one.

It can be very tempting to jump to the interesting ancestral members of the family but get your basics correct first.

Enjoy it as it's great fun !

Tara