What can I do now?

[Titanicfan]

Hi all

I have a very frustrating situation at the moment because although I have a lot of certificates that need ordering, I do not have any money at the moment so I am completely stuck in my research.

I can't get past my direct line brickwalls without details from the certificates. My tree is up to date as far as I can and my folders and computer files are organised but I have spare time now and no way of researching. Is there anything I can do with my research at the moment that anyone can think of which doesn't involve money?

[busyglen]

Hi all

I have a very frustrating situation at the moment because although I have a lot of certificates that need ordering, I do not have any money at the moment so I am completely stuck in my research.

I can't get past my direct line brickwalls without details from the certificates. My tree is up to date as far as I can and my folders and computer files are organised but I have spare time now and no way of researching. Is there anything I can do with my research at the moment that anyone can think of which doesn't involve money?

Just a thought. With that part of your tree that you are already sure of, could you put all of that information into some sort of `story' of events?

Whilst I have been thwarted in the past because of lack of funds, I proceeded to `journal' the facts that I knew from my father, back to his gt. grandfather. I took information from the Censuses, jobs, occupations, the family etc. and the places they lived in. There is a lot of information on the places and areas etc. on Genuki, or simply Googling. It certainly helps to bring their stories to life.

Glenys

[Titanicfan]

Thank you - that's a really good idea, Glenys

I do feel that my research is too much on the names and dates rather than the human side of things so I think that my research would really benefit from doing that. Although I don't have a great deal of personal family background info. I can still add in info. on the places and occupations of my ancestors from censuses etc. as you suggested and I think it will help me to get more of a 'picture' of my ancestors' lives.

I am chomping at the bit to get hold of a new certificate though!!

[coastwallker]

I've been there too. It is frustrating,

I did start to make the information on mine into little stories and I have found that the family, who are not really interested have enjoyed them. It is a way of incorporating all those titbits of information and stories people give you, as well as the bare facts.

[melsibob]

Does your local library have access to newspapers online? This may provide an opportunity to put a bit more flesh on the bones (so to speak) and not cost anything.

[Geoffers]

Are the certificates needed local to you or for the other side of the country?

If local, or if you have access to the SoG - see if you can find baptisms, marriages or burials for the people. For those who died from 1858, can you locate them in the Probate Calendar? Can you track the people in historical directories which give an idea as to the area where a family lived? Are the events non-conformist, or overseas (try TNA).

If after events from some distance away, there are obvious problems - but it still might be worth trying the SoG.

[earthmother]

Titanicfan - I'm in the same position as you - won't have any money until Christmas has been, and so many certificates I want (need) to see.

I've spent the past week trawling Google and the directories (https://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/index.asp), and discovered some interesting things, and a few more question marks. For me they work best for the prominent or specialised trades, and the small villages (always knew there was the sound of banjos in the distance on one line, lol).

I shall watch this thread with interest - I already have a couple of new avenues to follow just from the posts already made.


When it comes to the stories, I'm making a start on medical bits and that sort of info too. The news story about the 19lb baby this week triggered one memory - my Gt Grandpa (1902) was apparently 16lb, so tie that with above-average weights ever since, and my own three big (10-11lbs) babies, and I think future generations should be warned, especially as that genetic line seems to override any other that comes in (colouring, facial features etc)

[earthmother]

Something else I'm intending to do is build up a map, so there's a visual reference for where all these people were in relation to each other, and how each family moved around, or not - just got to find a good piece of software to do it with.

[Titanicfan]

Thanks for all the brilliant ideas, everyone.

Unfortunately, the certificates I need are from the areas of Southampton, Margate and Dorset and I don't have access to the SoG.

I'm lucky that I have access to Uxbridge Library's online newspapers from home but I didn't find anything at all on my ancestors because the areas covered didn't include the areas in which my ancestors lived.

I will have another search on Google to get some background info. on locations and I've searched the historical directories for some of my ancestors but I will go through my list and look up the rest so that's a good idea.

earthmother, I think your mapping idea sounds interesting. Your family history of large birth weights made my eyes water!!

[samgibbons56]

Hi Titanicfan,
Would you be able to run to ordering a film from the LDS, it's only a few pounds and there may be one that covers the time-frame you are looking at.
Your message jumped out at me 'cos I am fom your neck of the woods!!
HTH
Sam