How far back can you trace your family?

Question

I only know of my grandfather's grandfather and where he came from in England. He was born in the mid 1800s. Do you think I could find out more if I went to England and searched for records? He's from Stroud.

Answer 1

I have several of my Dutch lines back in to the 1700's to the time where most used Patronymic names (names of their father) Those lines all adopted surnames around 1811 when Napolean ordered that all families select and register their surnames. Two of my Dutch lines had surnames prior to the civil registry being set up. One of those lines I have going back to the early 1600's, the other line goest back to the early 1700's. Like the others have mentioned, this gets quite addictive. Definitely try to do as much searching as possible before you go to England. I have found with many trips that I have taken within my own country, that I could have better used my time in the places that I've gone, if I could have just done "a little" more research beforehand. When you go though, you won't have any regrets. Good luck and Happy New Year.

Answer 2

Between LDS filmed records and the internet, you can find tons of records. Join mailing lists that focus on your area, and there are often volunteers who help "from that end". (of course... the nice thing to do, is join the list for your own locality, and return the kindness for someone else). Cultivate a contact at the archives at that end.

After you have found what you can without traveling, there may still be stuff that is not (and won't ever be) online. By becoming knowledgeable, your energy can be better focused.

As for how far back... I've worked both husband's lines, which are solid US back to the 1700s. My lines are Polish in the early 1900s in Chicago, and Chinese/ Norwegian also in last 100 yrs. Overseas is a whole new ballgame for me.

Answer 3

If you have these records then you are on the right track, why not ask other relatives and see what they have. You can find out more info on your ancestors, just by sitting in your own house. I always use genes reunited and thats how I found out about more of my ancestors and I actually came across cousins I had no idea I was related too.

I can trace my family back to the early 1600's, now I think thats great and that was by asking questions from other relatives I know and also asking on genes reunited.

Good Luck, once you start searching guarantee it will be hard to stop. Very addictive

Answer 4

First I think you'd do best if you found a reputable researcher who could locate the records for you and provide a little info. Sometimes they connect to people and go talk with them. So that "might" be your best way to find someone living to talk with from your family. Know this though that a lot of living people in other countries aren't interested in or don't know their genealogy.



I only presume dates from 1850 on my family, and from what I hear there are no living relatives in the region where they used to live, so all I can rely on now is the researcher and the LDS films (familysearch.org).



What might be good is if you can meet someone else who is searching the genealogy of your family, another family member who might have a tad bit of additional info. to share with you.

Answer 5

England is one of the easiest countries to trace your family backwards because a lot of records survive back several hundred years. Also the LDS have microfilmed huge numbers of relevant records.



I wouldn't recommend going to England. Start off with the 19th century censuses at ancestry.com and this will lead you to church records, which are most cheaply viewed at LDS Family History Centers. You may have to use other records like probates, postal directories,etc. Stick with it and there's a good chance you will get back to the 1600s. I'm not an LDS church member and my only association with ancestry.com is as a user of their databases. Good luck!

Answer 6

a couple of years back i was lucky to stumble across information about a relative who was born re 1819 and who was transported from England to A ustralia in the 1830's as a convict



He lived until 1904

Answer 7

Yeah, I don't recommend travelling to England until you've done a LOT more research, LOL! You'll be amazed how many people share the same names as your ancestors, and how difficult it is to pin down the connections. Remember the English tradition of handing down first names from father to son through the generations...



Beware: genealogical research is VERY time-consuming, and also addictive! (It can also be expensive.)

Answer 8

Try this site:



http://www.familysearch.org/





Also, try ancestry.com. It cost a small fee but you can pay by the month and you'll save a lot not having to travel.