1911 census

[michb158]

Hi
I have found relatives in the 1911 census and at a bit of a loss as to how to track them or descendants down.

I know that one of the children of an ancestor was 7 at the time.

Any hints would be appreciated.

thanks

[v.wells]

If this is the English Census then you will need to search bmd's for the persons you are looking for in the GRO index which is available on pay for view sites. About June 1911 mothers maiden name appears on the birth indexes, and marriages usually show even numbers on the page. There are pay perview current electoral role sites as well. freebmd.org.uk goes up to about 1930 but from then on you need to search the individual quarters/years on the GRO index.

[Geoffers]

I have found relatives in the 1911 census and at a bit of a loss as to how to track them or descendants down.
I know that one of the children of an ancestor was 7 at the time.

In looking for descendents of this 1911 family, you might try using several basic sources:

1. The GRO index of births, and marriages, and deaths. To look for siblings of your ancestor - when they married and died. If the surname occurs a lot, you will have problems.

2. The parents in 1911 - try searching the probate calendar to look for a will. Wills are frequently very useful in providing names of children (including married names of daughters), and also grandchildren.

3. Street directories - if a family stayed in one area.

4. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) web-site for any war deaths. Also The National Archives (TNA) web-site for anyone mentioned there in the catalogue or in documentsonline.

5. Outward passenger lists maintained by the Board of Trade in case someone emigrated. These are now housed in The National Archives in document class BT27 and have been digitally scanned and are available on the pay-per-view site - findmypast.

6. Family History Societies maintain lists of members and their research interests, is anyone related a member of the local FHS?

You put all these together and cross your fingers. Basically you are looking for marriages of the siblings of your ancestor. Then for their children's births; then their marriages, etc. Combine these with other sources - there usually isn't a quick fix.

[Wirral]

Also try the local register offices. A number of them are putting free, searchable indexes online. http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/index.php?form_action=local If you happen to have ancestors from Bath, then you are laughing! BathBMD records are complete 1837 - 2007. They even include the mother's maiden name on births, spouse's full name on marriages, and age at death for all records from 1837. I wish I had ancestors from Bath!