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[Paul-E]

In my introduction I explained that a few years ago I began the fascinating hobby of geneaology WITHOUT the aid of the internet.

Recently I decided to further my investigations into the past!

I have spent a couple of weeks now checking out different geneaology sites and although I have found a few FREE sites that are actually FREE! and that actually do not want your credit card details to continue membersghip after FREE trial ends, unlike some!

Is it inevitable that I must pay to use a site such as ancestory.com etc to further my knowledge or is that consisered the 'EASY' route........................... Pay and sit back and all the work is done for you!

I do not want things handed to me on a plate, but does everyone use these geneaology pay sites? I would be interested in peoples opinions and if I do need to join a site for a fee which site would be recommended?

Paul

[mallosa]

Hi Paul,
I use ancestry.co.uk and find it really useful but it would be good to find what others use......

Come on you lot! Let us know what you find best

[gardener]

Hi Paul
If I want to make a meringue I use an electric whisk - even though my grandmother managed with a hand-beater!
I use Ancestry.co.uk, the cheapest option which gives me the census and bit more. I've pretty much done my family in their database but I keep the subscription on for fun and use it to do lookups for others. Then when I need something looking up myself I post on this site or rootschat. I just had a lot of help on there when I needed to chase a family around three continents so needed Austrialian, Canadian and USA records.
I suppose if you live near a Family History Centre or your family records are all in the local archives then you might get away with the traditional method. I do try to look at the original records when I get the chance because obviously any index is going to have mistakes.
This site is very good for verifying church records because some people are prepared to give their time and hop off to the archives for other people, but for most of us Ancestry or the IGI is as good as it gets most of the time.

[peterd]

paul some local libaries have ancestry on and you can access for nothing, check with them first might be worth while using there services to get started, i know county durham give free access to ancestry worth checking out at you local libary

[Paul-E]

Looks like ancestry will get my business!!

I'm a bit stuck now and as my family originate from Warwickshire Birmingham and I'm in South Wales, visiting libraries etc up there is not an option.

I have hit a wall so need to subscribe to hopefully move on!

Tried number of web sites listed here and elsewhere but my ggg grandad is hard to pin down. All I have is an old piece of paper written some years ago by a family member that says his name was Robert Teal he married a Miss Bird then Lucy....the note goes on to say: Nothing else known except lived in Birmingham. May of changed name from Green to Teal or vice versa? No reason given. Gonna try ancestry (when I join) for birth certificate of my gg grandfather James Bloomer Teal. Born 1885. Worcestershire- Worcester. Listed in 1881 and 1891 census but cannot find nothing at all on his father at the moment.

Paul

[peterd]

what i mean is if you got to the local libary where you live and see if the have access to ancestry in there family history section on there computers

[grangers14]

You can use FreeBMD
http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/
or for West Midlands area.
http://www.bmsgh.org/wmbmd/
If your looking for other areas try,
http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/index.php?form_action=census
They are all free.
Also free for census
http://freecen.rootsweb.com/

I do prefer to see the actual census and nose around the neighbours!
I use Origins and Ancestry and also have a good few Cds on things.

This looks like it could possible be the birth entry for James Bloomer Teall (note the double LL)
Jun 1884 Birmingham 6d 114

If you post your family you may well get some help with it.
Jo

[gardener]

Hi Paul
You say you have the 81 and 91 census. Roberts first wife died 1895, Emmett Teall aged 39 Birmingham so he must have married Lucy after that.

[Jimmy]

1891. Birmingham.

Robert H Teall 35. born Worcester, House painter.
Emmett Teall 34.
William J Teall 14. born Leicestershire.
Robert E Teall 11. born Warwick, Aston.
Henry C Teall 9.
James B Teall 6.
Lily L Teall 4.
Thomas F Teall 2.
Susan Teall 1 month.

All others born Birmingham.

[grangers14]

Possible Birth ??
Robert Harvey Teale, 1855, Worcs

Possible Marriages ??
Emma Clements, Harvey Robert, 1875, Birmingham
Lucy Pratley, Robert Harvey Teall, 1896, Kings Norton

Possible 1861 Census
King Street, St Peter, Worcestershire
Charlott Teal, head, W, 40, marine? stone? Dealer,
Mary, daur, 13, Button Maker
Ellen, daur, 11, Button maker
Thomas, son, 9,
James, son, 7,
Henry, son, 6,
Harvey, son, 3
Charlotte, daur, ? 6 Months
All born Worcestershire

[Jimmy]

Births Mar 1855.
Teale Robert Harvey. Worcester 6c 301.
Teall Robert Harvey. Worcester 6c 301.

[grangers14]

Extracted IGI
Robert Harvey Teal,l 15 Jan 1860 Saint Helen, Worcsester, Father William and Mother Charlotte
also,
John Henry Teall, 15 JAN 1860 Saint Helen, Worcester,
Charlotte Pricilla Teall, 15 JAN 1860 Saint Helen, Worcester,

[Jimmy]

Possible,

WILLIAM TEAL.
CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS.
Marriage: 18 JUL 1836, Claines, Worcester.

[gardener]

And on IGI

James Bloomer Teall bapt 10 sept 1852 St Martin Worcs
Thomas Charles Teall 20 Jun 1849
Ellen Teall 29 Apr 1846

Parents William teal and Charlotte

[Jimmy]

1851, indexed as, William Taall.