*Please note- This site search does not include the Vic. & Tas. BMD's, Lots o' Links & Worth a Look Books
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If we help each other along,
and share all our hints here in throng;
Then one tiny thing
just maybe will bring
the clue needed not to go wrong
and share all our hints here in throng;
Then one tiny thing
just maybe will bring
the clue needed not to go wrong
TIPS
Take a tip from one who knows |
&
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TAPS
Tap into other resources |
GATEWAYS
Most Family Trees will have one line that has a high brick wall around it & it's a matter of finding the gateway in. Sometimes you have to research sideways, before you can go back. A sibling's info may have more clues than your direct line. |
GAZETTES
There are all types of Gazettes on the internet. Police Gazettes, Government gazettes, if your Ancestor worked for a Government department, or may have been in trouble with the law? find out when they were promoted, or what law they broke. |
EQUATIONS
'Do the Math!' Many family trees have babies being born after the mother has died, others have people marrying after they've died, or when they are 6 years old etc.. Check that your information makes sense, you may have the wrong person, if it doesn't? |
EMMIGRATION
What ship did your Ancestor come to Australia on? Is there a Captain's log, a photo, or description of the ship? You'll most certainly find a passenger list & if you're lucky, a diary written by someone else on board, who may have mentioned your Ancestor? or they may have been born on board? |
NEVER TRUST-
Transcriptions on websites like Ancestry etc., even Family Search, always view the original! Many people are helping out by indexing names, but may not be well versed in reading old handwriting, so they just guess what it is. Many an Edward, is really a Thomas, Beware! |
NEWSPAPERS
Newspapers are a wonderful source of information, you'd be suprised just what you'll pick up in a family notice, or the odd article that there may be. You can find family members which can't be found anywhere else. For Australia, just Google 'Trove newspapers'. |
ENGLISH,SCOTTISH etc
Most Cultures had naming patterns, especially the English & Scottish. 1st son after father's father, etc.. If the father's father's name was say Henry, the 1st son would be named Henry, but if that baby died, they still want their Henry, so the next baby will be Henry as well. If there are two children in the same family with the same name, check for a baby death. |
EDUCATION
Your Ancestor may have been illiterate, like a great deal of the population, so find out what if would have been like & the struggles that they may have faced, not being able to read or write. You may be able to find something about a school that they attended, a photo, an article, maybe a record or two (the odd one on line) Start with the Public records Office. |
ANY UNUSUAL-
Or even some common names, could be used for either male or female. I have a great Uncle Hazel, who someone out there in their tree, has married him off to a male, assuming that he was female. Check, Check, Check! |
ALBUMS
Old photos are a great source to tap into. You can find out all sorts of things, by the way they're dressed (period, uniforms etc) Also medals, who they are with, how old each person may be, compared to the rest of the family, where it was taken etc. |
LADIES WHO-
Lost their husband young, quite often, re- married quite soon again. If you can't find a death for a woman under her married name, check for another marriage. You may then be able to find her under her new married name? |
LEARN-
If there are any Hospital records available for your Ancestors. Most Hospitals will give you a copy, for a small photocopy fee. Learn what they died of, ongoing problems, it may be a clue to some of your family's mystery ailments? |
ONBOARD
Who else is on the same ship as your Ancestor? Check the whole passenger list, as quite often, a group of extended family came out together. Check all names, even if they don't look right- Anne & Geo. Gates.....William Yates (the bro.) |
OCCUPATIONS
There's lots of info available, about your Ancestors job, also apprentice docs. etc. Watch that the surname you're looking at, isn't the father's Occupation- George Ryan Carpenter (George Ryan the Carpenter), Check, Check, Check! |
GRAVE PLOT
Who is buried in the same plot as your Ancestor & why? Who paid for the plot? Go to the cemetery if you can, there is often extra info on the headstone. Online cemetery records, are mostly headstone records. If someone's missing, it's worth a trip to the cemetery, to check the books. |
GET HELP
Don't be afraid, or too stubborn, to ask someone for help, who's had more experience with family history than you have. Your brick wall may be easier to climb over, than you think? and your frustrating dead end, may be easily solved, if you know where to look |
YOUR ANCESTOR-
May have had an old watch, check inside for engraving. If a photo is in a frame, take it out & look on the back. Check old birthday cards, invitations, postage etc.. |
YOUR LOCAL-
Library, Family History centre, State Library of Victoria etc., can all be tapped into for free. You'd be surprised at how obliging some of these places can be |
C.K.
REMEMBER-
Anything assumed, is most likely wrong
Nothing at all, should be left unchecked!
AND
Everything you need is NOT online
Anything assumed, is most likely wrong
Nothing at all, should be left unchecked!
AND
Everything you need is NOT online
Animated Letters from-
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