New from Vermont

[Geoffers]

My next question is what is the best way to continue my search in years prior to 1837?

It depends on what you want to find out...the basic tool for finding out when people were baptised, married and buried is to use Parish Registers; which if you are lucky will give you basic information back to the 16th century. Note that parish registers being ecclesiastical records are concerned with dates of baptism rather than birth and burial rather than death.

The IGI is a useful tool which might point you in the right direction - but it is by no means complete, contains transcription errors with names and dates; treat it as an index and a guide and you won't go far wrong; treat it as proof and you will quickly go astray.

There are other sources of information which can help to give some additional detail, probate, survey, manor records, directories, settlements, subsidies, journals, estate records, court records etc. The other sources are the subject of books on family history research and rather too detailedot go into in this short note.

What is available (both online and only in record offices) depends on who, when and where you are researching.

[uksearch]

All Saints, Chorlton on Medlock 30th May 1881
Joseph HARROP, 45, Widower, Joiner, Lower Ormond St. Father, Joseph HARROP (deceased), Gardener & Ellen Jane PALING, 38, Widow, Lower Ormond St. Father, Robert DENNY, Miller. Married...after Banns...Both signed. Witnesses James WRIGHT & Esther WRIGHT.

UK