Family Tree has tapered off!

[Greensleeves]

Just a thought - check that your ancestors knew their own names.  I was stuck for about six years because I could not find Fanny Mattley anywhere.    I had totally given up on that line, and then one of the brilliant researchers on here (thanks Groom) discovered that the lady in question was not Fanny Mattley, but Frances Mattingley.  This opened up a whole new world to me and my FH research because within a fortnight I discovered that my ancestry was - through Fanny's mother - Norwegian.  Was v exciting - and probably worth the six years wait for such an amazing discovery.

[Rena]

When the family tree seems to have hit a 'brick wall' and seven years of research has brought you back to 1779 and one person left standing, where do you go next in finding out more. Years of trying has unearthed little more, do you just give up?

Generally, I used to often refer to the old Hugh Wallis website which indicated what b & m church records were available, unfortunately it's gone the way most good things go.

If I've lost sight of an ancestor and I know his occupation I will look for websites that describe the countryside and its surroundings which might give me a clue that he's moved from elsewhere to carry on his trade.   Then I look for a nearby river/canal and/or railway to see if I can glean an idea of whence he came.  If he worked on a Duke's farm I surf to see if that Duke had another estate, for example.

I also use the free book website, which I've sometimes found has old books that contain b.m.d's for an area I'm researching.

 https://archive.org/details/texts

As a last resort, and as surnames used to be specific to certain areas, I've also surfed for;  "find origins and meaning of surname -X-".  This has been handy because it suggests alternative spellings that arise when a surname crosses a county border for example.

One thing I do when I find another doing the same research, is I ask them what family stories they have, as the old stories can often unlock the past.  e.g. the same research can mean the same surname, but also coming across another surname several times whilst carrying out your own.  e.g. I made contact with a researcher whose ancestor moved between the same two towns as my ancester (census gave birth information) - I contacted him, told him I would be sticking to him like a leech even tho' we were following difference surnames, and asked for any family stories. I discovered he was following his family story which involved a group of travelling musicians. Eureka - a female in his group was an aunt to my gt. grandfather.

[JohninSussex]

Generally, I used to often refer to the old Hugh Wallis website which indicated what b & m church records were available, unfortunately it's gone the way most good things go.

Isn't the info on DustyDocs something like the Hugh Wallis info, with links per parish?

http://dustydocs.com.au/country-show/1/England.html
(top menu has links for Scotland, Ireland etc)

[hallmark]

As they got their land via Landed Estates Court....whose estate were they on?

Are there Estate Records? Leases? etc....

[hallmark]

Have you tried checking what is recorded for each townland your kin were at? 

e.g Leitrim 1739 to 1810

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNX-X9DN-K?i=6&cat=185720

keeping an eye on Column2... the Barony. 

Rosclogher  would be your Barony. All a matter of luck!!


Keep eyedrops nearby..... 

Just doodling on the FS Townlands history for Leitrim,  it wouldn't surprise me if these 1727 Cornyn ones in Rossclougher and Dromahaire are Curneen....

Also, if so, have you checked Tithes, Griffiths or Wills for Cornyn ?

Haven't checked the later 1739 to 1810 ones on above Link.