Genealogy mistakes to avoid #3 - Not looking at a map

When we’re hunting for our family they can move from place to place. In fact, agricultural labourers may have moved every 6 months. It may not be too surprising that we find our ancestors have moved but where have they moved to? Does it make sense?

We might try to match up a family from Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland with a family in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland. If you are not familiar with Scottish geography this may seem OK, but checking the map will show you the great distances involved and reveal that it would not be an easy journey. Nothing is impossible, but make sure you are connecting the right families. For example, if you have your family in Huntly in 1861 then you think you have them in Campbeltown in 1871 check the 1861 census of Campbeltown. If you find the family there in 1861 it can’t be ‘your’ family.

The opposite is also true. A map could show you that places are very close together. Let’s say you have a family in the 1840 census living in Weem Parish but you find the baptisms in the Parish of Killin. As this is a different parish and seemingly a good distance away, it could seem like the ‘wrong family. Looking at a map showing where the family were living and where the church is would show you that the children were baptised at the closest church even though it was in a different parish. 

For old maps check out the National Library of Scotland. They have a great collection and they are all free to access. 

A Visit to the Carlisle Archive Centre

When researching it’s always vital to look at original records if you can. This principle was proved true yesterday when we made a trip to carry out some research at the Carlisle Archive Centre to help a client overcome a brick wall.

Using online resources, such as the IGI, we had found marriage entries. As this time we were researching in England, so we knew we were unlikely to find parents’ names on a pre-1837 marriage entry in the parish registers. Why look at the original then? If you live a distance from an archive with the records you need it may be a corner you decide to cut.

In England the registers of births and marriages before civil registration began in 1837 are very good, especially when seen in comparison to many Scottish Old Parish Records. One reason we say they are ‘good’ is that they are relatively complete. Also there are “Bishop’s Transcripts”, which were copies of the parish registers sent to the Bishop annually. This means even if the original has been lost, in many cases a copy remains. Of course unlike Scotland you rarely get mothers’ maiden names appearing on baptism entries, but we can’t have everything can we!

Things to remember:

• Whilst a contemporary source the Bishop’s Transcripts are a copy of the original register.
• An original post-1754 parish marriage entry will have the signatures (or marks, if they could not write) of the couple, and in the case of signatures these can be used as comparisons with other documents.
• There are at least two witnesses to a marriage. Sometimes, although by no means always, it is a family member, which can give a vital clue to overcome a brick wall.
• The original parish register entry may mention a farm name, or a small village within the parish. All these added details help to narrow down your search.
• Errors are made in indexing, even the best indexing projects will contain mistakes. Look at the original if you can.

Carlisle Archive Centre

It’s great now that more and more parish register material is becoming available online. Sites like Ancestry.co.uk and Findmypast.co.uk have opened up genealogy to people across the world and often give access to images of original documents. They are not the only good websites though, there are many smaller sites operated by local people across England helping you to dig into your past.

Local Archives too can help by mailing you copies of the original parish registers. The local family history society can not only offer expertise but may also have copies of the registers on microfilm.

So don’t settle for a transcription, especially if you have a brick wall in your tree: always look at the original if you can!

As I said we went to the Carlisle Archive Centre yesterday. It’s a relatively new building, although it’s joined to an older building.

Carlisle Archive Centre

As you can see from my photos the archive itself is bright and airy, very comfortable for research. There are plenty of microfilm readers and a good number of machines to make copies from. Copies from microfilm are fifty pence each and you pay at the desk when you are finished.

The archive has two sections: the first room is for looking at books, microfilm etc., and the second is for looking at original records. Both have large tables so you can lay your notepad and laptop out without bothering other users!

They have plenty of lockers in the reception and you can use your County Archive Research Network reader’s ticket that you may have from another county archive.

They allow digital photography which is excellent, although they do make a charge:

1 Day licence: £8

1 Week licence: £20

1 Month licence: £45

1 year licence:  £90

1 year licence (corporate users): £140

They say it’s to “... help generate the income we need to protect front line services.”

I noticed a number of help sheets around the room and everything was very neatly labeled so if you’re new to genealogy there will be plenty of information to help you. The staff too were very friendly, explaining how the archive works succinctly!

All in all, five stars for Carlisle Archive!

Annie Lennox's Scottish family tree

Last night's Who do you think you are? was really most enjoyable and a great introduction to Scottish genealogy. Featured in last night's show were the Kirk Session records of Braemar parish. These could have been a new type of record to you and perhaps it made you wonder if they could be of use to you. These records hold vast amounts of interesting information as well as containing useful genealogical data, as was ably demonstrated by the National Records of Scotland's Pete Wadley! (I see a glittering TV career in front of him!)

If your ancestor was illegitimate it is definitely worth looking but also if your ancestor was born shortly after the marriage there may be a case of what was termed as ante-nuptial fornication recorded. If you can't search these records personally we can make the search for you, all our searches in Edinburgh start at twenty-five pounds and many Kirk Sessions can be searched for that fee or perhaps a little more. We offer a free consultation and will give you an exact price for any research we suggest. Just email me info@maxwellancestry.com with the information you have and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

For a full review of last night's programe see Chris Paton's blog.