Family Tree

[ChrisD]

I'm trying to research my family tree, does anyone know who to access births, marriages and deaths online?

[Ewood27]

The service you require is called "freebmd" (free Birth, Marriage and Death). If you search for websites with that in the name it will bring up several, but you could start with http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl
However, be advised that these records are far from comprehensive. Last year I researched several known people in my own ancestry to test it when recommending it to someone else. Not one was mentioned. Best of luck with yours. As with all these searches of large databases, the narrower you can make your search the better.

[ChrisD]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[2planks]

Once you get back to about 1850's try Familysearch.org As a transcriber for FreeBMD I was given sheets of say marriages from A-C for a particular year. They were added to the database BUT marriages D-F may not have been transcribed. So if you were looking for a marriage for Brown and Crawford you would be in luck. Luck does come into it. Start with what you know (eg certificates) ask elderly relatives (do it NOW! - don't put it off).And work gradually backwards.Don't forget the 1901 census is online - most of the censuses for 1851-1901 are available. Good luck!

[Ewood27]

I know you asked for "online", ChrisD, but you might also consider the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints (Mormons) - known in genealogy circles as the LDS. They have Family History Centres at various places round England with (typically) microfilm of the full Birth, Marriage and Death records held at the Family Record Centre in London, microfilm or microfiche of census records and other material. There's no charge, though they will take donations, and you don't have to join their church. There's one in Staines. If you can get to one you will find fuller records than on line. Look in your phone book and give them a call to find out times etc. I was too tired last night to think of this!