You may think a 'tree is a tree
is a tree' and we have all got at least one, be it
hand drawn or computer generated. But, what is in
each box or by each name, is it too much or too
little and more importantly, how much information
have we got to plan that entry on the tree and is it
correct?
Before embarking on the tree,
start with yourself; write out your own details,
explain who you are and, apart from the obvious dates
anyone could find from the records, include dated
anecdotes about special events. Maybe you hitched a
lift on a milk float when doing a school cross-country
run – perhaps your cat had her kittens in the
middle of a neighbour's bed. All these snippets of
information are special to you and are probably only
known to you but they go to make up that all-important
picture – or putting flesh on the bones as it's
called.
Then there are the photographs
– when you were baptised, the first school
uniform or the day you began your first job. (It
cannot be repeated too often but always put who,
when, where, even why on the back of photos to jog
your own memory, let alone helping future generations.)
All such photos will enable you to become a real'
person to those coming after you – we all know
how thrilled we are if we come across an old photo
unexpectedly.
Once there is a starting point
– you – then building the tree can begin.
Check all sources, check wherever possible the tales
handed down through the family and very often you
will find there is some truth behind these stories
despite being enhanced in the telling over the years.
Look at family papers, memorial cards, funeral
details, baptism cards, census returns, newspaper
reports, anything in fact that will give a picture of
the person. Don't forget the Parish Chest besides the
usual BMD records – Tate has written a very
useful book on this subject.
As the tree begins to take
shape, it is important to keep each generation on the
same level across the page – whilst there may be
just a few details alongside the names themselves,
each name will conjure up a picture with the benefit
of all the extra information you have. With
generations on the same level, it will be easier to
approximate dates for research in cases where the
facts are very vague.
Check for infant deaths –
quite easily one or more children 'can be lost'
between one census and the next. If children seem to
arrive at regular 18/24-month intervals and there is
a sudden gap of 4, or even 6 years, then infant death(s)
might be the reason. If a child appears in the census
but no marriage details can be found then it is
possible that person died before maturity so check
the burial records or maybe they have emigrated
– new listings for emigration are becoming
available on-line all the time e.g. passengers
arriving in America via Ellis Island between 1892-1924
are listed on a new site www.ellisislandrecords.org
which can be invaluable.
It has been said that some
41% of births were not recorded in the early years
after civil registration was introduced in 1837. This
wasn't for any sinister reason but maybe living in an
isolated area the parents had the baby baptised and
had no means of transport into the nearest town and
its Register Office. After all, God was aware of the
birth so why bother the State – especially if
harvesting was due or deep snow lay all around.
Where there is a 'missing'
person then check all imaginable spelling variants
and try looking at old trade directories for possible
addresses. Early photos of the village may not exist
but take photos of the area as it is today and –
joy – the old house/farm/cottage may still be
there even allowing for a name change. Never be
afraid of knocking at the door for the present-day
occupants are often delighted to meet descendants of
earlier occupiers, especially very old properties
that may have been in the same family for generations.
Perhaps older residents in the area can recall your
grandma or great-aunt but be prepared to hear good
and not so good memories! The church, where many of
the family were baptised, married and buried,
deserves a photograph or, even more personal, try a
quick pen-and-ink sketch. Don't forget the monumental
inscriptions, either.
Remember that census records do
not necessarily give 'proof' of the location where an
elusive relative may have lived: a stray entry might
mean that he/she was on a visit the very night the
census was taken. (I wonder what future generations
will make of the 2001 census – especially as the
enumerator told me to complete the form as soon as
possible before 29 April – no amount of argument
would budge him! V.S.)
As usual, it is check, check,
ask and check again. Then, when all is gathered in,
the tree begins to grow. It never stops, of course,
but the bare twigs will blossom and bear fruit.
