England

Basics

1. These resources are helpful for getting started with research in England.
   
   FS—Wiki: England Genealogy
   LT: Beginner's Guide to Tracing British Ancestry


2. Get an introduction to English research in this video.
   
   AAC—Documenting the Vital Events—3:08


3. Learn about helpful guidelines for English research.
   
   BYU—English Ancestors, Getting Started
   BYU—English Ancestors, Locations


4. Resources: Learn about free resources for doing research in England.
   
   RT—Little Known Free Sites for English Research—20:28 - 2024
   
   
   

Records

1. Learn about basic types of English records as you begin your research.
   
   AC—How to Use UK Records to Start Your Family History Research—4:48 - 2016
   
   
   
   BYU—Introduction to the Records—56:51 - 2016   
   • History
   • Early inhabitants
   • Hereditary surnames
   • Research limits
   • Parish registers
   • Royalty
   • Crown copyright
   • Additional considerations
   • Records
   
   
   
   


2. Go deeper into types of records for England research.
   
   LT—Diving into English Records: An Essential Guide for Tracing English Ancestry


3. Timeline: Here is a timeline of events that led to creation of various record types.
   
   British Genealogy Timeline


4. Tips: Get tips for finding records in the United Kingdom.
   
   AC—Finding Records in the United Kingdom


5. Online Records: Explore online records for England, Wales, and the Isle of Man on the Online Genealogical Index website.
6. Explore the Forebears.io site for research records.

1. Surnames: Learn about using names and surnames in English research.
   
   BYU—English Ancestors, Names


2. Learn about the origin of English surnames.
   
   eBook—English Surnames: Their Sources And Significations
   WDY—Where does my surname come from?


3. Learn about surname research using records from the Society of Genealogists in London.
   
   FS—Surname Variations and Name Changes—32:24 - 2011


4. Search the Geneanet site for English surnames.
5. Distribution: Explore surname distribution (a map where certain surnames are prevalent) in England.

  Surname Distribution Practice  |  

A relative's last name is Lewis. You know the relative's ancestors came from England around 1850, and you would like to trace the ancestors back to their place of origin. Based on information from the Surname Distribution site above, what three areas would you begin searching in England, based on the family's last name?

Hints  |  

1. In the Surname Distribution site, locate the "Family Name" box.
2. Enter the name "Lewis" and do a search. The drag bar at the top of the page should indicate 1851.
3. Look at the map to answer the research question.

Answers

1. The darkest blue areas would be a good place to begin your search. Begin with London, Birmingham, and the area between Swansea/Abertawe and Cardiff/Caerdidd.
   (Contributed by Kaylee Lynn)

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Resources


1. Websites: Explore a variety of resources for United Kingdom research.
   
   WDY—The Best Free Genealogy Websites


2. Get familiar with recommended websites for English research.
   
   FS—England Websites


3. Use FamilySearch resources for your England research.
   
   FS—England Research using FamilySearch—35:58 - 2016


4. Earlier: Here are some tips for doing British research before 1800.
   
   FS: 4 Tips for pre-1800 British Research - 2017


5. Explore earlier resources for British Isles research (1688-1837).
   
   FS—Principal Sources for British Research, Pre-1837—25:47
   FMP— How to Break Down Brick Walls Before 1837—46:37 - 2016   
   • Parish registers
   • Bishop's transcripts
   • Burials
   • Missing information
   • Marriage indexes
   • Supplementary info
   • Nonconformity
   • Marriage search strategy
   • Apprenticeship Records
   
   
   
   


6. Learn how to trace your medieval and early modern ancestors.
   
   FMP—Tracing your Medieval and Early Modern Ancestors—50:39 - 2016   
   • Early languages
   • Reading records
   • Who is it?
   • Where is it?
   • When is it?
   • Feudalism
   • Government/local administration
   • Law and justice
   
   
   
   

Strategies

1. Learn problem-solving strategies for British research.
   
   FS—British Research, Problem-Solving Strategies—4 pgs. - 2016
   Genealogy Tips


2. Watch this video for additional tips on solving problems in English research.
   
   RT—Shortcuts to Success: Solving English Genealogical Conundrums—27:32 - 2021   
   • Developing Research Strategies
   • Genealogical Proof Standard
   • What's likely to cause the impasse?
   • Vital questions
   • Where did your ancestors live?
   • Become the expert on your place
   • Indexed record problems
   • Cluster or FAN technique
   • Late or adult baptism
   • How did your ancestors marry?
   
   
   
   
3. Here's a walkthrough for 19th-century England research.
   
   BYU—Research Walk-through: Best Practices for Adding a Family from England to Family Tree—71:53 - 2020   
   • Why Do a Research Walkthrough?
   • Time scope
   • Basic research process
   • Case Study: Ann Hollingsworth
   • Current sources
   • Timeline grid
   • Most likely records to help
   • How to find these records
   • Check for record hints
   • Review suggested records
   
   
   
   


4. Break down brick walls in recent research with this video.
   
   FMP—How to break down brick walls after 1837—37:36 - 2016   
   • Research strategies
     
   • Genealogical Proof Standard
     
   • Vital questions
     
   • Where did your ancestors live?
     
   • Maps
     
   • Indexes
     
   • Censuses
     
   • Cluster/FAN
     
   
   
   
   


5. Learn about common obstacles in British and Irish records.
   
   FMP—Common Obstacles Found in British Records and How to Overcome Them - 2017


6. Learn how to date photographs from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
   
   WDY—How to Date Victorian and Edwardian Photographs

Handwriting

1. Learn how to decipher English handwriting from 1500-1700.
2. Learn English paleography in this BYU Script Tutorial.
3. Learn about handwriting on the English Ancestors site.
   
   BYU: English Ancestors, Handwriting


4. Here are tips for deciphering archaic English documents.
   
   PR—Acquiring Fluency in Reading Archaic English Documents

  Reading Handwriting Practice  |  

Benjamin Temple served as an English soldier in the Revolutionary War. He appeared on the Revolutionary War Payroll in 1778. Use the Documents section of the BYU Script Tutorial link above to answer the questions below. Note: Use the record image for this exercise, and open the transcription only when you are ready to check your answers.

1. How many times was Benjamin Temple listed on the payroll?
2. How much was he paid?
3. What further information does the document give us on Benjamin Temple?

Hints  |  

1. In the Documents section (left side), click Military.
2. Open the Revolutionary War document and click the image.
3. Use the information on the document to answer the research questions, and then check your answers in the transcription.

Answers

1. Benjamin Temple was listed on the payroll 3 different times.
2. In total, Benjamin Temple was paid $357 ($230, $16, and $111).
3. The document says that Benjamin was a Captain from 13 December 1776, to 20 February 1777, and then from 20 February 1777 to 1st of April 1777.
   (Contributed by Kaylee Lynn)

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Exercises

• * Good: Using the articles and videos in this Choice, write down key learnings for research resources. Then use the learnings for searches for an ancestor.
• * Proficient: Same as above, for two or more ancestors.

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