Question: How can you help me with my family history research?
Our Research Coordinators have built databases from records of Entwistles and others around the world. Using these and their expertise from many years of research, they are able to assist members in building their personal family trees.
Question: I live thousands of miles away from where my ancestors lived. How can you help me? (A very relevant question we sometimes receive from our members in Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand, mainland Europe and across the world!)
Do you have any documentation to show when and where your ancestor first entered your country? Did they later take up citizenship? Do you have any census details after arrival in your country? Any of these documents will hopefully give details of age, place of birth, occupation and, possibly, their father’s name and occupation.
The last British census available to the public is that of 1911, so if we can place your ancestor somewhere in 1911, we can then work back through the censuses every 10 years to 1841. Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in July 1837. Before that date we have to consult Parish registers to trace families.
If you were starting from scratch, without knowing anything at all, I would say to you:
(1) You know your father’s name and your mother’s maiden name. You should be able to look in the records to find where they were married and then obtain a copy of their marriage certificate (which in England would give the names and occupations of both bride’s and groom’s fathers and where they were living at the time of marriage).
(2) Knowing where they were living at the time of their marriage, take a look on the nearest census to that date to find out where they were born, and the names of their mothers. The ages given on the census should enable you to work out an approximate date of birth.
(3) Look on the birth index to find where the birth was listed. Apply for a copy of the birth certificate. This will give you the mother’s maiden name. You are now in a position to repeat the process and gradually work backwards.
Does this give you an idea of what to do next?
You may also like to consider joining the Entwistle Family History Association, as we are able to undertake research for members, and may even be able to put you in touch with someone researching the same family!
Question: How can I join the EFHA and, how much does it cost?
All the details you need can be found on the membership page