HELP - trying to do family tree research

[eidsvold]

Have just started following my maternal grandparents - both born in Devon.

Have been doing as much as I can via the internet.

Anyone else done this - any hints or suggestions.

A couple of Q's

Is it possible to access ships records - suspect great great great grandfather being in the Navy?

any other sites you can recommend - am looking on ancestory.co.uk

very confusing as the name has a variety of spellings through various records!!

Always document everything you do. So if you add some dates of birth/marriage or whatever, make a note of what your source is. Where possible use authenticated sources (registry documents and certificates, or church records).

You can search the 1901 census online for free, then to get copies of actual documents you have to pay using credits you purchase. There are other online censuses too, but I've found this one to be very good.

I expect the navy will have very thorough records. We had a few members of the family in the army (WW1 and earlier), and it was an excellent source of information.

Shoshable has been doing hers for some time I believe, look out for her

Local family history societies can be a big help, and tend only to cost around £10 per year to join. The Mormons' family history centres are helpful, I've heard, and won't try to convert you.

As well as the navy, there are merchant seamen's records. I've not gone into that in any depth for myself, so can't give details on how you go about that - but maybe someone else on here can).

(My next project is to find more details on the family convict - I suspect that'll be a long day in Kew... probably won't make Tasmania within a school day )

Hallgerda - there are heaps of online searches for convict fleets - will try and find the link for you.

Haven't needed them as we are relatively new to AUstralia- 1st generation on my dad's side, 2nd on my mum's

You can also access those who were granted tickets of leave after their time was up and some birth deaths and marriage records.

Have been using the online census..

Roisin bout a book to keep copies of all my notes - as I find a complete family from census info - making it into a tree branch iyswim

thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

My other problem is I am trying to do this from Aus - unfortunately did not have the info I have now when I lived in the UK !!

Thanks, eidsvold. I know the ship, the date, the crime and the sentence (Lady Kennaway 1834, 14 years transportation for stealing a waistcoat, a pair of socks and some malt from his employer). I'm currently after the family's representations to the authorities to try to get him a more lenient sentence/early discharge etc, and I understand those will be in Kew (convenient as I'm in London). (The convict's my great great great grandmother's brother btw)

I suggested that the Mormons would be helpful because I've actually met someone who lives in Australia who said she found them extremely useful for her research, both on family in Australia and those in the UK (principally the Shetland Islands).

I'm rubbish at links but heres a few of my favourite ones which have been really helpful...

www.genereunited.co.uk
www.freebmd.org.uk
www.a2a.org.uk
www.familysearch.org/
htt p://genforum.genealogy.com

www.genesreunited.co.uk

Doh!

Devon Family History Society

Family History Centres

tRY GENES REUNITED I FOUND OUT TONS ON THERE AND YOU CAN ACSESS ALL CENCUS AND BIRTH/DEATH/MARRIAGE RECORDS ON THERE FOR A SMALL FEE.

Sorry to shout dp been playing with keyboard!

thank you so much for all your help.

really appreciate it.