Indexing Project
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This is a project started in January 1999 with subscribers from the Dyfed and Glamorgan Mailing Lists participating.
Our purpose is to make available searchable online indexes of selected parish/village histories and books.
Some histories/books have no index at all currently, most have but the names of the farms/places they are associated with are also being extracted in the indexes.
Below is a list of local histories and other books in each county which have been completed.
More volunteers are very welcome, as are suggestions for suitable books for online indexing, contact
Gareth Hicks
Before you start I will need to consider any copyright implications and contact the author/publisher if considered desirable.
If you want to know why I started this project, read this.
Indexing requires nothing more than a modicum of patience and the ability to type into a text file- I will do the rest ! See detailed indexing "instructions".
The completed indexes are now all held on the relevant Wales or county/parish pages of Genuki which will mean they are a permanent resource with the indexer's name shown.
Glamorgan
- A History of All Saints' Church Oystermouth By Geoffrey R.Orrin and Dr. F.G.Cowley,1990. Indexed by Diana Davies, completed Nov 2000.
- A History of Taibach to 1872, by Rev.Richard Morgan. This was originally written in Welsh, and called 'Gemau Margam',it is the translation by Les Evans being indexed by Carole Wilkes. Completed 1999.
- A Skewen Boy Looks Back. George, David Graham. 1999/2000 ? Indexed by Dai Bevan, completed Oct 2004
- All Our Yesterdays-a pictorial history of Llantrisant and Pontyclun. Vols 1 & 2. Edited by A. Martin Reynolds. Published by Parish Pump Press, Pontyclun, 1992/3. Indexed by Philippa Wood , Vol 1 ONLY completed Feb 2000
- Annals of St Fagan's with Llanilterne - An Ancient Glamorgan Parish by Charles F. Shepherd (1938). Indexed by David Webb. Completed 1999
- Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942. Translated/indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999
- Around Pontardawe by the Pontardawe Historians 1996. Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999.
- Around Pontardawe, second selection, 1999, indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed Feb 2000.
- Cardiff Yesterday. This is a cumulative index by Sue Mackay with the consent of the author Stewart Williams, of all 36 volumes of the 'Cardiff Yesterday' series, published between 1980 and 2000, completed August 2002
- David Davies's Book. Indexed by Tommie Phillpott, completed June 2004
- Glanffrwd's History of Llanwonno, 1843-90 (Hanes Plwyf Llanwonno); by Thomas, Rev W.; published in 1888 in serial form in the 'Darian' (Aberdare) & translated by Thomas Evans in 1950; published by Merthyr Express. 210 pp. Indexed by Glenys Travis, completed Sept 2005
- Glimpses of Old Dinas Powys , by Chrystal Tilney, 1982. Indexed by Jill Smith , completed March 2000
- Growing up in a Welsh Valley - Kathleen Healy, 1999. Indexed by Jill Smith, completed 1999.
- Hanes Eglwys Cwmllynfell by J Dyfnallt Owen , J D Jones, Ben Davies. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed Nov 2000
- Hen Gymeriadau--Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r Flwyddyn 1840. [Old Characters of Cwmgors and Gwauncaegurwen from the year 1840] Indexed/translated Jenni Hyatt. Completed 1999
- History and Antiquities of Glamorganshire and its families. By Thomas Nicholas , M.A., Ph.D, F.G.S. 1874 Indexed by Curtis Evans, completed Feb 2000.
- History of the Methodists in West Glamorgan Indexed by Margaret Jones. Completed Jan 2000.
- History of Mountain Ash by William Bevan 1896. A Translation from the Welsh with additional notes and illustrations by Alan Vernon Jones A.R.I.C.S. Indexed by Martin Adlam, completed Jan 2004
- History of y Gwrhyd by Joshua Lewis , Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999.
- Images of Neath and Port Talbot 1999 Author ; South Wales Evening Post. Indexed by Brian Wagstaffe, completed Jan 2000.
- Inklemakers--Life in C19 Oystermouth by Carol Powell. Indexed by Diana Davies . Completed 1999
- Jubilee Swansea II. By Gerald Gabb. Indexed by Charlene Morgan, completed April 2000.
- Jubilee Swansea, A Town in the 1890s, 1995 by Gerald Gabb. Indexed by Charlene Morgan, completed April 2000.
- Llanblethian Buildings and People. By Cowbridge Record Society 2001. Indexed by Phil Mustoe, completed September 2002
- Llantwit Major ,A History and Guide Edited by L.V. Kelly . Published by Llantwit Major Local History Society 1971 Indexed by John Ottery, completed 2/1999
- Monks to Millennium, the Story of the Village of Cilffriw. By the Cilffriw Millennium Book Group, December 2000. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed March 2002.
- Morriston's Pictorial Past By Andr'e Scoville.1988 . Indexed by Les Parsons , completed March 2000
- Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber Remembered in Pictures- Bernard Baldwin, 1986, Indexed by Jill Smith, completed 1999
- Neath's Wicked World By T. G. Davies Index extracted by Brian Wagstaffe , completed Sept 2000.
- Of Swansea West: The Mumbles - Past and Present.By Norman L Thomas. Gomer Press. 1978. Indexed by Eluned Lloyd, completed Jan 2001
- Ogmore, Llynfi & Garw Valleys in old photographs. Indexed by Huw Daniel. Completed 1999
- Old Bridgend in Photographs,published 1978. Indexed by Huw Daniel, completed 1999
- Old Characters of Gellinudd. Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999
- Old Neath in Pictures in 4 Volumes. Indexed by Brian Wagstaffe. Completed 2/99
- Once upon a Village--aspects of life in the Mumbles 1901-1914 by Carol Powell .Indexed by Diana Davies . Completed 1999
- Rhondda, A Second Selection [The Archives Photographs Series]. Indexed by Allen Powell, completed July 2001
- Soriana, a history of Zoar Chapel, Penygraig, Rhondda indexed by Huw Daniel , completed 1999.
- St Hilary, A History of the Place and its People, by Hilary M. Thomas.2000. Indexed by Alan Jenkins, completed Feb 2001.
- St Nicholas A Historical Survey of a Glamorganshire Parish . By Charles f Shepherd 1934 . Indexed by David Webb . Completed 1999
- Skewen & District - A History. By Bailey, John & Emyr Gough.1998. Indexed by Dai Bevan, completed Oct 2004
- Swansea Reflections in Black & White.Published by Bernard Mitchell; indexed by Roger McFenton, completed Feb 2000
- The History of Brynteg, Gorseinon [Independent chapel]. By John Ceri Williams and D. Tom Davies.Translated by Ivor Griffiths 2000 . Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed Nov 2001
- The history of the Calvinistic Methodists in Clydach. Davies, Rev. D. Indexed by by Mike Doyle, completed Feb 2004
- The History of Clydach (Clydach a'r cylch). Evans, Rev. T. Valentine. Indexed by Mike Doyle, completed Feb 2004
- The History of Pontardawe and District by John Henry Davies . Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed 1999.
- The History of Pontardawe by J E Morgan. Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999
- The History of Pontardulais translated in 1985 by Ivor Griffiths Includes 'Rebecca in Pontardulais' . Indexed by Tina Morgan , completed Oct 2001.
- The History of the Llynfi Valley by Brinley Richards M.A. Contents only produced by Daniel Verkys, completed 1999.
- The History of the Providence United Reform Church Mountain Ash 1869-1987 by Alan Vernon Jones ARICS 1987, indexed by Martin Adlam, completed Feb 2000.
- The Men of the Mumbles Head. By Carl Smith 1977. Indexed by Roger McFenton, completed Feb 2000.
- The Old Photographs Series. Pontypridd. Compiled from the Collection of Pontypridd Historical and Cultural Centre by Simon Eckley and the staff of the Centre. Indexed by Jean Gilson. Completed 1999
- The Story of the Village of Mumbles, by Gerald Gabb, pub. 1986 by D. Brown and sons, Cowbridge in conjuction with The Ostreme Community Association, Mumbles. ISBN 0 905928 61 X. Indexed by Diana Davies, completed June 2000.
- The Vale of Glamorgan in Old Photographs By Roy Denning 1987 Indexed by Huw Daniel, completed 1999
- Two Centuries of Pontardawe, 1794-1994 By Clive Reed, published by the author in 1994. Indexed by Phil Vaughan, completed August 2002
- Ynyspenllwch : a brief history. Griffiths, Ivor. Indexed by Mike Doyle, completed Feb 2004
Carmarthenshire
- Betws Mâs o'r Byd (Betws Beyond the World). Compiled and edited by Carol Murphy and Chris Dixon & published by The Betws History Group, 2000. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed Aug 2001
- Canrif o Luniau. A Century of Photographs. Plwyf Llangeler Parish. Editor Alun L. Jones. Published by Llangeler Community Council. Gomer Press. June 2000.Indexed by Mary Jane Stephenson, completed Feb 2001
- Cofiant Dafi Dafis, Rhydcymerau(A Biography of David Davies, Rhydcymerau).Gan y Parch James Morris, Dolgellau, 1898. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed November 2001
- Cwm Aman [Amman Valley] Edited by Hywel Teifi Edwards, Gomer 1996. List of chapter headings and photographs completed by Gareth Hicks April 2001
- Dafydd Jones o Gaeo . By Gomer Roberts, Gwasg Aberystwyth 1948. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed November 2001
- Hanes Brynaman[History of Brynamman]. Indexed by Anna Brueton. Completed 1999
- Hanes Eglwys Aberduar[Llanybydder]By W Hugh Davies, Gomer 1962. Index completed by Gareth Hicks April 2001
- Hanes Eglwys Annibynnol Esgairdawe, Mary E Williams, 1992. Index completed by Gareth Hicks June 2001
- Hanes Methodistiaeth Sir Gaerfyrddin (The History of the Methodists in Carmarthenshire). By Rev James Morris. Published 1911 Translated by Ivor Griffiths, 1994.. Names lists by Pat Powell. Completed Oct 2005
- Hanes Plwyfi Llangeler a Phenboyr by Daniel E. Jones. Indexed by Sian Bowi. Completed 1999
- History of the Baptists in Felinfoel. Translated by Ivor Griffiths. Indexed by Joyce Newth/Stewart Leonard, completed May 2000.
- Images of West Wales. Published by the South Wales Evening Post in 1999. Indexed by Ruth Broad. Completed Jan 2000.
- Myddfai: Its Land and Peoples, by David B James, 1991. Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed Nov 2004
- Old Characters of Bettws. Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999.
- Pit Memories [ Up and Under] By William John Evans 1989. Index completed by Gareth Hicks Oct 2000
- Secret Sins[Sx,Violence & Society in Carmarthenshire 1870-1920] by Russell Davies 1996. Indexed by Angela Davies, completed April 2000
- The Amman Valley & District, a Photographic portrait, Brian Lewis 1996.Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed 1999
- The Amman Valley Long Ago [Dyffryn Aman 'Slawer Dydd] Compiled by David A Evans & Huw Walters ; Gomer 1987. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed August 2001
- The History of Llanelli Indexed by Liz Rees. Completed 1999.
- The History of the Gwendraeth Valley Indexed by Liz Rees. Completed 1999.
- The History of the Parish of Llandybie Indexed by Gareth Hicks. Completed Oct 2000
- The History of the parish of Llannon. Indexed by Peter Jones . Completed 1999
- The History of Whitland Indexed by Gerry Lewis. Completed 1999
- The Welsh Cattle Drovers by Richard Colyer. Indexed by Catherine Davies-Shiel, Completed 1999
- The Centenary History of Amman United Rugby Football Club, 1903-2003. Edited by Howard Gabe Davies, 2003. Contents and photographs listings by Gareth Hicks, completed March 2004
- Twenty 20 Memories by Evans, Hywel Gwyn. Carmarthenshire County Council, 2006 Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed March 2007
Pembrokeshire
- A MURDER OF CROWS / The Story of Penally. By Margaret Davies, published 2001. Indexed by Margaret Davies, completed Dec 2001
- Llanfyrnach Parish Lore Indexed by Peter Jones. Completed 1999
- Milford Haven: waterway & town, compiled by Ken McKay & George Springer; Images of Wales series, Tempus, 1999. Indexed by Mary Bryceland , completed Oct 2000.
- The History of Haverfordwest. Originally written by the late John Brown and added to by J.W.Phillips & Fred J.Warren .Published by subscription 1914. Indexed by Pat Powell, completed Feb 2000.
- Great Grandfather's Little World. Old Pembrokeshire Photographs 1873-1934. By B S John.1975, Durham. Descriptions listed by Gareth Hicks, completed June 2008.
Cardiganshire
- A History of Cardigan , the Locality and its People [Those were the Days] Vol 1, 1991.Index by Gareth Hicks, completed Nov 2000.
- A History of Llanbadarn Fawr by E.G Bowen. Gomer Press: 1979. Limited ed. published under auspices of the Ysgol Cwmpadarn Centenary Celebration Joint committee. Index by Peter G Williams completed Oct 2005
- A History of the Parish of Llandyssul by Rev W J Davies, 1896.Translated by Ivor Griffiths. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed Dec 2000.
- A Village Worthy, Evan Isaac Thomas of Llandysul, His days (1823-1908) and Diary(1876-1885)' By H.R.Evan An existing index submitted by Mike Thomas for online research. Completed 1999.
- Aberaeron : The Community and Seafaring 1800-1900 . By David Lewis Jones.Ceredigion, Journal of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society Vol VI/2 1969. Index by Gareth Hicks, completed Aug 2000.
- Aberystwyth and North Ceredigion in old photographs. Collected by Dyfed Cultural Services Department; Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, published in collaboration with Dyfed Cultural Services Department 1992. Index by David Rowlands, completed April 2001.
- Aberystwyth Voices By William Troughton 2000, Tempus ORAL HISTORY Series, index by Lynne Kleingertner, completed Nov 2000.
- An Illustrated History of CardiganshireBy W J Lewis, 1970. Cymdeithas Lyfrau, Ceredigion.Index by Gareth Hicks, completed August 2000.
- Atgofion Ceinewydd [Memories of Newquay] by Myra Evans. Indexed by Mary Jane Stephenson. Completed April 2000
- Born on a Perilous Rock- Aberystwyth past and present by W J Lewis 1980. Index by Lynne Kleingertner, completed April 2001
- Cardigan and The Lower Teifi Valley, in the series "Britain in Old Photographs". 2000 by Budding Books. ISBN 1-84015-157-9 .Index by Mary Jane Stephenson, completed July 2000.
- Estates of Sir John Lewes and James Lewes settled in 1650 Based on "The Lewes Family of Abernantbychan " by Daniel Huws; in Ceredigion,Vol V1/2 1969. Completed by Gareth Hicks/
- Llandysul Ddoe [Llandysul Yesterday] Gwasg Gomer 1992. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed 5.2000
- Llangrannog. Etifeddiaeth Pentref Glan Mor [Llangrannog.Heritage of a village by the sea] by J Geraint Jenkins, published by Llangrannog Community Council ,1998.Index by Mary Jane Stephenson completed May 2000
- Maritime Heritage. The Ships and Seamen of Southern Ceredigion. By J. Geraint Jenkins. Published by Gomer Press 1982. Index by Mary Jane Stephenson, completed July 2000.
- Melindwr township in Llanbadarn fawr parish.A list of about 160 property names, districts, hamlets and villages noted in the 1841-1871 censuses for this township and extracted from the article by E Alwyn Benjamin called Melindwr, Cardiganshire...The Censuses of 1841-71 which appeared in the Ceredigion, Journal of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society. Vol. IX, No. 4 (1983) .Extracted by Gareth Hicks, completed Nov 2000
- New Quay and Llanarth By W.J. Lewis, 1987. Indexed by Mary Jane Stephenson, completed May 2000
- The Story of Llangrannog. History, Guide and Tours by Mervyn Davies [? pre 1973]. Index by Mary Jane Stephenson completed May 2000
Other Counties/All Wales
- A Century of Welsh Rugby Players 1880-1980 By Wayne Thomas, 1980. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed February 2004.
- Coal Society: A History of the South Wales Mining Valleys 1840-1980. By David Egan, 1987/92. A listing of sources inc photographs, completed by Gareth Hicks June 2004
- Collieries of Wales [Engineering and Architecture]Edited for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales by Stephen Hughes, Brian Malaws, Medwyn Parry and Peter Wakelin. Published 1994? Index by Gareth Hicks, completed June 2000
- People, Protest and Politics; Case Studies in Nineteenth Century Wales. By David Egan, Gomer Press 1987. A listing of sources inc photographs, completed by Gareth Hicks August 2004
- Pobl wrth eu Gwaith [People at Work]1987, J.D. Lewis. Indexed by Jill Smith, completed 1999.
- The Cambrian, And General Weekly Advertiser For the Principality of Wales 1804 - 1930. Edited by Glynden Trollope. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed January 2004.
- The Drovers' Roads of Wales. by Godwin, Fay/Toulson, Shirley. Wildwood House, London, 1977. Listing of Contents/Illustrations only by Gareth Hicks, completed Feb 2002
- The Fed; a history of the South Wales Miners in the twentieth century. Francis, Hywel & David Smith.1980. Contents listing and name index by Gareth Hicks, completed May 2004
- The Welsh Guards by John Retallack. Foreword by H R H The Prince if Wales.Published (1981) by Frederick Warne (Publishers) Ltd. London.ISBN 0 7232 2746 2. Indexed by Allen Powell, completed Oct 2000.
- The Welsh House . A Study in Folk Culture.By Iorwerth C Peate, Honourable Society of Cymrodorion, 1940. A listing of Contents, Illustrations and Figures by Gareth Hicks, completed Nov 2000.
- Turner in Wales by Andrew Wilton - published by the Mostyn Art Gallery in 1984 as an essay and catalogue relating to the 'Turner in Wales' Project, Index by Gareth Hicks, completed 2008
- Victorian and Edwardian Wales from old photographs Introduction and commentary by E D Jones. Batsford 1972. Index by Gareth Hicks, completed August 2000.
- Wales and the Drovers; the historical background of an epoch. By P G Hughes, 1944. Indexed by Gareth Hicks, completed Dec 2001
- Welsh Crafts;an account of the historic Welsh crafts and as they exist today . By Mary Eirwen Jones. Published by B T Batsford Ltd, London 1978. Listing of Contents/Illustrations only by Gareth Hicks, completed Feb 2002
- Welsh Murders Volume 1: 1770-1918. By Peter Fuller and Brian Knapp. Published by Christopher Davies 1986 . Contents and names listing by Gareth Hicks completed July 2001
- Welsh Rural Life in Photographs By Elfyn Scourfield, 1979.Indexed by Jill Smith, completed 1999.
- Welsh Sail by Campbell-Jones, Susan. Gomer 1976. Indexed by Mary Jane Stephenson, completed Aug 2000
- Welsh Shipping - Forgotten Fleets By P.M.Heaton . Indexed by David Webb, completed 1999
Indexing Instructions
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My "optimum requirements " are ;
Please use commas as separators, MS Word , or any text file come to that since Word 97 will cope with most formats.
I can alpha sort on surname within Word.My web publishing programme won't take tables /spreadsheets which is why the commas are needed .
The table format you will see on most existing online indexes is just for presentation and added by me from within my web publishing programme.Surname,given name,place,page number is the standard format used so far.
I suggest using three hyphens if a blank entry, as in Hicks, Gareth, ---, 12,25
where --- is a blank for where someone lives.
Don't bother with it if most entries don't have a place, say.Include dates if you want, it does help researchers to judge whether an entry is possibly theirs. If so, I suggest they are put just before the page numbers.
With names which aren't surnames,[e.g . patronymic ] put 3 hyphens --- instead of surname which will then alpha sort at the front of the index.
If you have places without personal names, or groups, or ships etc put those in a separate list preferably.
I usually index photographs separately from text entries.I suggest you look at this one to see how I did it.
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/CMN/Llandybie/HistoryLlandybie.htmlWhen you have done a few pages send me a list to make sure no problems building
Send end result as attached email file, or within an email if small..As a matter of principle, and copyright, copies of photographs should not to be provided even if asked for.
Why do I index books ?
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I'd like to demonstrate by reference to my own experience just how valuable a resource book indexes can be
Below I detail 7 books that I have discovered have mentions of my own ancestors, and my people were mostly ag labs turned coal miners, just like yours perhaps ?The History of Pontardawe by John E Morgan [Hirfryn] 1911.
- Has references to my gg grandfather John (Shon) Hicks, Blaennant farm
Old Characters of Gellinudd [Pontardawe] by John E Morgan [Hirfryn] 1908
- Has references to;
My gg grandfather, John (Shon) Hicks, Blaennant farm.
My ggg grandfather, William Jones, Blaennant farm.
Sundry Jones collateral ancestorsAnnibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942. (History of Carmel Independent
chapel, Gwauncaegurwen and Tabernacle chapel, Cwmgors, Llangiwg).
- Has references to;
My g grandparents, John and Margaret Davies, Coffee Tavern, Cwmgors
My g grandfather, Richard Hicks, Gwauncaegurwen.
My g grandfather, David Rees, Pencaedu.The History of Pontardawe and District . By John Henry Davies 1967
- Has a reference to my uncle,Wil [Sgili] Davies [rugby international],Cwmgors
Monks to Millennium, the Story of the Village of Cilffriw. (Blaenhonddan, Cadoxton j Neath). By the Cilffriw Millennium Book Group, December 2000.
- Has references to my Rees ancestors of Gellimarch farm, Cilffriw.
History of Llansawel. By Fred S Price . Published by the author in 1898
- Has a reference to my gggg grandfather, David Davies (a shepherd known as Dafydd Lanwen).
Myddfai: Its Land and Peoples. By David B James, 1992
- Has references to my ggg grandfather Morgan Jones, a photograph of a cottage he lived in, and a linked Walters family
Mailing lists
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See also Netiquette
A complete list of Rootsweb hosted mailing lists can be found at http://www.rootsweb.com
And for a list of ALL mailing lists related to the various regions of the UK & Ireland see:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/indexes/MailingLists.html![]()
Netiquette
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I ran a genealogy mailing list for almost nine years from 1998 onwards but I still don't feel qualified or even brave enough to try to lay down a set of rigid rules for how one should conduct oneself on such a list. Some lists do have such rigid rules, vis a vis non-genealogy subjects, for example, others are generally more relaxed.
I merely offer these following suggestions for your consideration;
- Viruses. Don't send messages about viruses to the list, if you have to tell someone, make it the listowner who can decide whether the list needs to know.
- Non-genealogy threads. Get a feel for what is OK on which list, they are all different. Put Non-gen or OT [or whatever else a list uses] in the subject line. If you must indulge, try to keep it to the one message from you, it should/may then fade out naturally.
- Humour, or the lack of. Humour/banter is good but doesn't always travel well across international borders, so do have a care. Never any excuse for outright rudeness or personal comments, do that off list if you really have to let off steam.
- Politics/religion. Keep such opinions/commentary to yourself, or off list; someone is bound to disagree with what you say and an unpleasant thread may start with others joining in.
- Replies to queries. Always back to the list, even if just to say that you have replied fully off list.
- Questions. Keep to the point, long convoluted messages are a real turn-off, don't try and knock down all those brick walls in one go. Try for a really relevant subject line. Do include enough data to stop someone doing a load of searches you've already done. Don't 'latch on' off list to someone who answers your query by asking another half dozen questions off list, it happens.
- Cross posting. Ask for help on one list at a time, the others won't go away.
- Thank you messages on list? Only really needed on list if someone has obviously gone out of his/her way for you, but off list otherwise.
- Corrections of someone elses's onlist mistakes ? Be gentle, is it better off list initially to avoid any potential embarrassment for the other lister? [who can then tell the list personally if necessary]
- Sense of perspective. Keep yours. Don't treat a list as your personal chat room, it isn't.
- List administrator. Know who the administrator is, if you're unhappy about something to do with the list then tell him/her, not the list. Any list admin can be reached by sending an email to LISTNAME-admin@rootsweb.com (substitute the name of your list for the word LISTNAME)
Finding people (in the UK)
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Here is a collection of links to help you track down that elusive long lost (living) cousin etc - most will draw blanks perhaps but work through them and who knows............
Although some may charge fees the list doesn't generally include purely commercial 'People Finding' operationsSearch engines
- Perhaps the first and obvious thing to do is search the net with a search engine such as Google or yahoo
Put the required name in quotes. If this produces too many hits then try adding other known facts, e.g age, occupation, location etc- Then there's http://www.pipl.com/ which searches the 'deep web'
- And also http://wink.com/ People search
- And http://yoname.com/ Searches blogs and social networking sites
- Google has a dedicated blog search on http://blogsearch.google.co.uk/
Online directories
- http://www.192.com/ Search electoral rolls 2002/8 for a fee - although names of other occupants of the residence come for nothing in initial free results list.
Also free full results (address, phone number) from directory enquiries- www.bt.com Finds anyone with a UK telephone listing
- www.infobel.com Extends search to world wide telephone directories
Social networking sites
You can search the personal profiles on both these sites by name
Message boards etc;
- Genes Reunited Trace relatives and ancestors around the world. Membership fee
- http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/en/Departments/FamilyTracing/Home.htm The salvation Army operates in more than 100 countries and sets out to unite relatives who have lost contact. Charges a fee for a search, family members only.
- http://www.jewishreunion.co.uk/ Search in an extensive range of categories
- http://www.lookupuk.com Specialises in lost friends/relatives with more than 35,000 searchable messages.
- http://www.missing-you.net offers a free instant on-line message-posting service designed to help enable you to locate missing persons, lost friends, relatives, workmates, forces pals, etc, that are thought to be anywhere in the UK.
- http://www.myoldmate.net Enter a name, if a match you can send an email so that people can choose whether to respond or not.
- http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ Royal British Legion, the leading ex-service charity, includes a 'Lost Trail' facility which helps to reunite ex-service people.
- http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/ Covers all the UK Armed Forces
- http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk Lists 24,000+ UK secondary and primary schools and invites visitors to submit their details. Now free to contact anyone found on there
- http://www.scoutsreunited.co.uk/ Scouts Reunited is a service that aims to help current and former Scouts from the United Kingdom and around the world meet up with old friends. Registration is free
- http://www.who-remembers-me.com/ Who Remembers Me. US/UK/Can/OZ
- http://www.oldschoolmates.co.uk/ Search on Country/County/School/Uni
- http://www.lostschoolfriends.co.uk/ Includes lost loves !
- http://www.alumni.net/ Search on school/company/org
These next two only work if you know where someone lived
Land Registry
Planning applications
Adopted children
- The charity Norcap [National Organisation for Counselling Adoptees and their Parents] on http://www.norcap.org.uk have a contact register of adopted people and also offer a counselling service
- http://www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.uk/default.htm Adoption. Search, Reunion; ...." for anyone thinking about searching for or making contact with birth and adopted relatives or researching an adoption that took place in the UK."
- The Adoption Contact Register on the GRO site http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/adoptions/adoptioncontactregister/index.asp
House history, tracing
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- I can recommend the book Tracing the History of your House by Nick Barratt. Public Record Office 2001 ISBN 1-903365-22-8 . See The Online House Detective. The author was involved in investigating the history of properties featured in the BBC's House Detectives television series.
As a broad guide to what is in the book see Section headings on this page.- There is also the more specialised book Using Manorial Records by Mary Ellis. Public Record Office/Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts 1997. ISBN 1873162383. The author is a Curatorial Officer at the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. See Contents on this page
- Another relevant book is Documenting the History of Houses by N W Alcock 2003. Published by the British Records Association. In the series Archives and the User. ISBN 0-900-222-14-X. Reviewed in Famly Tree Magazine January 2004.
Sites
- Have a look at this PRO site re land deeds and the modern land registration system
- See the Historical Manuscripts Commission to search the Manorial Documents Register (i.e. manorial records). Although this won't be relevant for tithe and enclosure records or for other forms of land tenure, including the many estates which increasingly operated outside the manorial system.
- Researching Historic Buildings in the British Isles. A guide by Jean Manco. Look under Building Types/Houses
- National Archives. House History - Guide to Resources
- 1901 census online. Search using the Address Search tool
- National Register of Archives. Use to find architects' and builders' records via the Corporate Search - search for various categories of businesses.
- 1910-15 Valuation Office maps and field books at the National Archives
- Electoral Registers - a FRC factsheet and link to British Library site
- House Dating Tool
- Period Property Uk - some interesting articles
Section headings
Tracing the History of your House
From the book's back cover;
".........provides realistic research advice on how to begin your investigations. The documents you need to consult are described in detail, from medieval manorial records and the land surveys of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries through to modern directories, electoral lists and building plans. Most can be found at the Public Record Office(see below), but advice is also given on the records held by local and county archives and other institutions..."
- Introduction
- Getting started
- First steps
- Research techniques
- Working in archives
- The Public Record Office
- Maps, plans and land surveys
- Ordnance Survey records
- Valuation Office survey
- Tithe apportionments
- National Farm Survey
- PRO extracted maps and plans catalogue
- Enclosure maps and awards
- Estate maps and plans
- Deposited maps and plans for public schemes
- Military maps
- Maps and plans in the Office of Works
- Architectural drawings
- Photographic catalogue
- Land law and conveyancing
- Landholding under the 'feudal' system
- Freehold land
- Methods of transfer
- Title deeds
- Title deeds
- Deposited title deeds at the PRO
- Enrolment of deeds
- Searching for a sale or property transfer
- Scotland and Ireland
- Manorial and estate records
- Manorial tenants
- Records of the manorial courts
- Related manorial records
- Records of the Crown estates
- Records of semi-autonomous jurisdictions
- Scotland and Ireland
- Records of property inheritance
- Property transfers in wills and administrations
- Searching for PCC wills and administrations
- Death duty registers
- Legal disputes
- Equity proceedings in Chancery
- Equity cases in the Court of Exchequer
- Other equity based courts
- Equity courts of semi-autonomous jursdictions
- Equity courts exhibits
- Civil litigation in common law courts
- Quarter session records
- House occupancy
- Census returns
- Electoral lists and registers
- Street and trade directories
- Parish registers
- Inquisitions post mortem
- Assignments of dower
- Diaries and personal correspondence
- Tax and rates records
- Hearth Tax
- Land Tax
- Other assessed taxes
- Rates
- Records of national events
- The dissolution of the monasteries
- The English Civil War
- Trade and commerce
- Railways and the Industrial Revolution
- Twentieth century warfare
- Sources for 'modern' houses
- Housing policy before the Second World War
- Post-war reconstruction and development
- Records maintained by local authorities
- Records of utility companies
- How we used to live
- Rediscovering previous interiors
- Inventories
- Sale catalogues and prospectuses
- Correspondence and diaries
- Fire insurance records
- Preparing a research plan
- First steps
- Background research
- Archival research: creating a document framework
- Archival research: following up leads
- Case study ; Plymouth House
- PRO series that contain title deeds
- Glossary
- List of abbreviations
- Useful addresses
- Useful publications
Contents
Using Manorial Records
From the main introduction;
"From the Norman conquest until well into the C17 & C18, the manorial system provided the framework for the lives of much of the rural population of England and a significant portion of Wales..........................."
Part One; Introducing Manorial Records
- Introduction
- The Manor and its Origins
- What is a Manor?
- The Manorial System
- Manorial Tenure
- Manorial Administration
- Early Surveys and Accounts
- Custumals
- Extents
- Accounts
- Later Surveys
- The process of making a survey
- The contents of surveys
- Rent Rolls
- The interpretation of surveys
- Commonwealth or Parliamentary Surveys
- Boundaries, Quantities and Maps
- Boundaries
- Quantity and Land Measuring
- Manorial Maps
- Later Maps
- The Manor Court and its Records
- The View of Frankpledge and Court Leet
- The Court Baron
- The process of holding a manor court
- Presentments
- The Manor Courts and Tenure
- Subsidiary Court Records
- Later Courts
- Enfranchisement and the Extinguishment of Manorial Incidents
- Select Bibliography
Part Two ; Locating Manorial Records
- Using the Manorial Documents Register at the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts
- The Manorial Documents Register
- The Legal Background
- Consulting the Manorial Documents Register
- Locating Manorial Records at the PRO
- Finding Aids
- Using the Finding Aids
- Dates
- Ordering Documents
- Further Information
- Appendix
- Table of Regnal Years from Henry II to William IV [1154-18370