I'm going to have a couple of 4 hour or so periods on my own in London in the next few days, and was thinking I might use them to do a little research. But I'm a little stuck about the best things to research. If I had something to start from (like a military ancestor I wanted to research) I would happily trot off to Kew as I have done before, however this isn't the case. So I present to you the areas I could attempt to research, and would like you to offer advice for which area and the best place/way to go about it:
BETTERIDGE/THORNTON:
I haven't managed to go back much beyond 1881 on this line. They lived in a small village outside Chipping Norton, Oxon. Which hopefully should make them easier to find. I haven't looked at many censuses on these, mainly because I haven't really had access to it.
CLARK (No E for simplicity purposes)
Even less than the above family. Lived in Aston/Birmingham. I haven't got a certainty on them in 1881, although I have a theory about the father changing the name by which he goes by. Any ways to deal with this?
CLARKE (E for reason above)
Moved from Leics to Birmingham around 1860. Birmingham branch is thoroughly researched. Leics stuff is quite disorganised, but I think is quite solid back to around 1800, some "Fringe folk" (as in brothers/sisters and their families) could do with solidifying.
WEST
Same state as before, but were very much based in a warwickshire village until they moved to Aston. I'm very happy with the research back to 1800 or so, but would like to try and research down from some of the siblings I know less about. But West is a common name and Birmingham is a big place.
SLAUGHTER
Butchers in Birmgham from 1830 onwards, before that from Evesham, but I know very little at all about them from before. There are a lot of downward bits I'd like to find more about, but I know about most until 1901, so I reckon I'm stuck for a few years.
FISHER
The research is in a mess, but the information is there for quite a lot. Before doing more I need to sort out what I've got, and solidify a few links. So that's a no for the coming week.
So what and where should I research? And any advice for researching at (as I'm sure will be suggested) the FRC?
EmPers
PS For those of you thinking it, if you give me clear instructions and information, and respond to the main part of the post as well, then the answer is yes.
PPS If you didn't understand what that was talking about then you probably weren't thinking it.
