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Im trying to research my tree but unfortunately I don't have many living relatives to ask questions. I'm having trouble finding information on weddings and births that happened after 1901. Most internet sites seem to provide all the information to get details for 1901 and before but my earliest information is 1920. All help and advice gratefully received as I'm a complete novice and feeling at a loss as to where to start at the moment.

Hi Jenny, If you can go back to 1920, would that be grandparent's? then if you get their birth certificate that will take you back a bit more, it will tell you the names of the parent's and where they are from, put as much information as you can on here because someone will help you. Regards Sue............ Oh and welcome to this fantastic hobby, nothing else will get done now.

hi jenny,i to am new to this,the people on here are brilliant,always someone to help and give advice so dnt give up when you get stuck!!most of the info i had from my grandparents was wrong so i started just were you are,with help im back to 1840[good for the 3wks ive bin doing this]anyway good luck with your research,lol cherie.xxx

Hi, why not try 1837online.com as it lists all b, m and deaths from 1837 until 2001. You need to buy credits but it's very worthwhile. Good luck! Liz

Hi Jenny, Just wanted to add to the list of tips. 1837online is a good site if you know the rough dates for events, they will give you the references you need to get certificates and you can order them through a link on the site (although this is taking a while at the moment.). Also keep checking freebmd as they are constantly updating the records. And as always the people on here are all very helpful when you hit a brickwall, just post your problem on here and someone will point you in the right direction! I have been researching for 3 months and am back to 1781 on one side of the family thanks to all the help and advice I have picked up through these message boards! Happy hunting Rebecca

Jenny I was new about 4 weeks ago, but with the fantastic help of lots of people I feel like a veteran already!! Good hunting Gerry

Hi Jenny, I find my local library and my local archives department very useful - if you are as lucky as me -my family are from the town I live in. I began my tree one one side of the family in 1990 - and didnt have a computer - or access to one - and I managed to get back to the 1500s Im doing the other side of the family - and using the computer helps - but I must say libraries and archive departments are very useful Good Luck with your research

Jenny www.ukbmd.org.uk is a good site to try. If your family are in one of the areas where there is a local BMD organisation you might find some more recent indices that have been transcribed. I think the local areas are at present: Cheshire, Lancashire, North Wales, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Durham, Isle of White, Kent, Newcastle, Tees Valley and Wrexham. Emma.

Hi Jenny, I know the probelm. I have had very little contact with any of my family for many years. My mother died and I did not know whether my father was alive or not. I started by sending for my own full birth certificate, as this gave both of my parents full names and it tells you where the mother or informant of the birth was living at the time. From this I had to make a guess as to when and where they got married. I was told that they say it is fairly reliable to say that the first child is usually born within the first twelve months of marriage. But if you are not too sure, like I wasn't, they will search over six years for about two pounds extra. The marriage certificate will give the name of both partners fathers, the age at marriage, which is useful if you do not know the date of birth, you can then send for their birth certificate, etc. Death certificates can also be useful as they also give date and place of birth of the individual, should you not know it. It also gives the place of residence before death, their occupation and the informant of the deaths, name and relationship to the deceased, as well as cause of death. It takes longer, as you have to be very patient waiting for the certificates to arrive. So far I have made some good guesses with dates and had no trouble getting certificates. But, whilst you are waiting, there are plenty of good people on this site who are only too willing to help, and look things up for you. I have certainly found everyone most helpful and would like to be able to help others in return. All the best with your research. Paul C