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Ian Mc
New Member
10 Posts
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24/11/2009
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00:54
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Okay where to begin. I would like to trace my family history back to Scotland if indeed that is where we originate. I can find a lot of general info like what clan my family name belongs to and trace the McGregor clan back for centuries. I am hoping to get some info on more recent events but I have no idea where to start. I moved to Oz a few years ago and as the relies are passing away it seems more important to pass this information down to my sons so they have some idea of where they came from. My family name is McNee which is fairly uncommon, My father (Thomas) was born in Liverpool and lived in Melrose (by Bank Hall station) his Father (another Thomas grew up in Liverpool but I am not 100% he was born there as his Father (yet another Thomas was a sailor in the merchant navy). Actually from what I can tell every male in my family is called Thomas, both my aunty and my sister married a Thomas. Apparently there is some connection with the USA (bizarrely involving Fay Wray although that could be a family Myth) Can someone point me in the right direction of where to start trying to unravel this mystery.
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Ian Mc
New Member
10 Posts
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Posted - 25/11/2009 : 23:13
Once again thank you so much. I have been on the free site and the info on there is a bit overwhelming. I dont understand how you can tell who is related to who. I know they have the same surname but I cannot tell if Mary is Donalds daughter or just someone who shares the same name. I am sure this is just a matter of getting used to the text but I am confusing myself. Any guidance would be great.
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frankwilk
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Posted - 26/11/2009 : 09:37
The relationship would need to come from Ancestry which has information on the census back to 1841. These sites are not free Ancestry is about £85 a year. www.1911census.co.uk is a pay per view site with the lastest census to be published.
Frank Wilkinson Once Navy Always Navy |
Anni
Regular Member
634 Posts
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Posted - 26/11/2009 : 23:54
Ian,
It is almost impossble to be certain who is who just by using the free sites. As Frank has said, Ancestry costs for a year's subscription. However, it is invaluable because you can view the census pages. These not only shows the address, but marital status and relationship to the head of the household. You can then start to build up the information. And cross reference with the free sites.
Then your tree starts to grow and that is why I suggested getting your letter in to Santa. It does seem rather overwhelming at first, but you will eventually get the hang of it.
Some of us have been doing this for many years, and so find it relatively easy. 12 months ago, I sat with a friend who watched me start her family tree. She went dizzy watching my fingers fly over the keyboard and flip between different sites. 12 months on, and she running away with her research herself.
Just take it easy and speak to Santa if you can.
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HerbSG
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Posted - 27/11/2009 : 00:58
some of the problems with the census are that the the census people are semi literate they round out years to the closest 5. Many of the Irish folks that moved to Liverpool in the years around 1850 are mispelled e.g. John/Jno. Also they list the occupants of the dwelling, not the people IN the dwelling at the time of the census. This results in people being listed at more than one address and creates problems for example with children being children or grandchildren of the occupant and being listed in more than one place.
HERB
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Ian Mc
New Member
10 Posts
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Posted - 30/11/2009 : 05:33
I will speak to Santa and get the subscription it seems a much better option. It looks as though my main family tree came to England in 1870 ish. Will I be able to use the same techniques to trace family back in Scotland or is there a different set of rules for there. I take it once you start to branch out into siblings and their family the thing has the potential to grow out of recognition. The family software tree seems like a good option.
Ian
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Anni
Regular Member
634 Posts
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Posted - 30/11/2009 : 08:50
Ian,
Ancestry have transcribed some details from the Scotland census, but do not have copies of the originals. To see those, you will have to use www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
This site has also parish records and wills. I can't remember whether it is a pay per view site or subscription.
Whatever you do, always make sure you reference where you found your information. As your tree grows (as it surely will) you will forget.
Try to avoid using other people's research for anything other than "clues". People copied some of my early work which I subsequently discovered was wrong (often happens as you untangles the branches and shoots). They then put it on the internet and now lots of people have wrong information.
As time goes on, more official records are published on the internet, or at least give an indication of where records are lodged. I recently "googled" a Scottish ancestors name for the zillionth time and found a listing of some records in Falkirk. Once you locate areas for your ancestors, you can try searching in local archives.
Last year I went to Edinburgh for the day to visit the National Archives having discovered some legal papers lodged there http://www.nas.gov.uk/
Another good source for what might be available in Scotland is http://www.scan.org.uk/
17 years ago I started with one name. I wanted to know who this person was, how she was related to me and why I had her tablecloth (from 1812). I now have 10,000 names in my tree - I tend to wander around looking at how families formed and migrated.
Please let us know how you get on and whether the addiction has got you!
Edited by - Anni on 30/11/2009 08:54:02 AM
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Tizer
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Posted - 30/11/2009 : 09:47
Ian, as Anni says, Ancestry.com may seem expensive but is worth it. You can do a lot in a year and download loads of useful census images. They make you pay upfront with your credit card so just remember that they will take another year's sub every 12 months unless you actively terminate the sub. Put an entry in your diary in case you want to stop paying!
Like Herb says, early census data can be unreliable. The names of some of my ancestors got totally garbled.
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frankwilk
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Posted - 30/11/2009 : 12:07
Ancestry will e-mail 0ne month before expiry to see if you wish to continue your subscription. As Tizer says it is still better to keep a note.
www.Scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Is a pay per view site. With scottish birth certificates you get more information like marriage of parents etc.
The boards on www.rootschat.com can be very useful if you are looking for people who have moved overseas etc..
have fun
Frank Wilkinson Once Navy Always Navy |
hill14summer
New Member
8 Posts
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Posted - 30/08/2011 : 12:05
Hiya - my name is Jackie and am only just starting to find my family tree.
I had found Clementina McNee, my Great-grandmother - she went on to marry William Devine1902 - one of their children was Flora (my grandmother).
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Sunray10
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Posted - 30/08/2011 : 14:22
Hiya Jackie, welcome to OGFB. Hope you get the info you're looking for. Usually someone will be able to find something out for you with regard to your ancestors. 
R.Spencer. |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 31/08/2011 : 05:45
Jackie, welcome to the site. The more info you post the more help you will get back. One of the wonderful aspects of OG is the way people help each other. If you've any questions, post them, we have some good people who love puzzles!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
belle
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Posted - 31/08/2011 : 08:55
Hi Jackie, don't know anything abuot clementina Mc Nee, but just wanted to spread the word for those who don't know, the west yorkshire baptisms, marriages and burials are free to browse through on ancestry just now..untill the 5th of sept I think.
Re your queerie Jackie, have you had a look at "Lancashire parish clerk online? I have found it very helpful with the Nelson side of the family.
Life is what you make it |
Sue
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Posted - 31/08/2011 : 09:36
I can't help at the moment but give me some more information and I'll be right in there. I love a good problem to solve ( but do rather like to find a solution!)
If you keep searching you'll find it |
hill14summer
New Member
8 Posts
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Posted - 31/08/2011 : 13:00
Hiya thank you - I have got as far as finding themarriage of father and mother of Clementina Mcnee - Donald and Flora(Nee Mcennies) -Dec 31 1868 in Milton Glasgow.
Donalds parents are listed as Daniel Mcnee and Grace Moore - now I feel a bit stuck!
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Sue
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Posted - 31/08/2011 : 17:41
You really need to get on to the census returns for Scotland. Did you send for the marriage certificate because it will have addresses and jobs on it. Always a good start.
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Tracing Family History
