To study sources for family, local and house history prior to the introduction of Civil Registration in England and Wales in 1837. Join Tutor Jackie Depelle to work back through time reviewing perhaps familiar sources and discovering others more challenging. Parish Registers were a major source in this time period along with other records in the Parish Chest and Ecclesiastical Wills. What other material is there? Online or in an archive? If so how do we know what's where? We'll look at the content list of publications working steadily backwards sharing existing knowledge and experience as well as dipping our toes into the unknown. The opportunity to develop Palaeography skills to read older documents will be included. Subject to interest and viability it is hoped there will be a part two of this course gently moving ever backwards
Course aim
To study family, local and house history sources prior to the 1837 introduction of Civil Registration in England and Wales. Join Tutor Jackie Depelle to work back through time reviewing perhaps familiar sources and discovering others more challenging
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Create a list of at least three sources which are especially useful before Civil Registration starts
- Explain why the dates of 1538, 1665, 1754, 1779, 1785 are source significant
- Report on pre-1837 topics covered by the Research Guides on a Record Office website of personal interest
- Illustrate the ability to read old handwriting by providing either an accurate transcript or an informal commentary of an original document in the period of study
- Share with the group a couple of illustrated narrative case study paragraphs set in the 17th century or earlier
What else do I need to know?
Nothing is needed. It is anticipated students will have already begun to research and be familiar with Certificates and Census records.
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