@ The Allison Children

[garydevine1995]

oh i got the years mixed up opps and i know what you mean i ahve done it a few times myself but thanks again you have been very very helpful

[AnneM]

Re the Mitchell see this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15940

Anne

[garydevine1995]

thanks does the mitchell let you get certificates like scotlands people does for do they ony let you acess poor relief forms

[AnneM]

Hi Gary

The answer is in the thread I linked in my last post. I know it's tempting to bash on but you will get much further by taking your time , making sure you have everything recorded and learning from the other people who are researching and posting. That's how everyone here learned. For example, I was very fortunate in having guidance on a forum from a very experienced researcher when I first started. She is still a friend now. However I would have learned nothing if I had not paid attention to how she researched and taken her advice on board.

If you want to see an example of people working together to unravel quite a complex riddle try reading a thread entitled Helen Cheyne born Kintore 1886. The originator of that thread actually ended up being in touch with a distant cousin.

Good luck in the Mitchell.

Anne

BTW Your Walter probably died in 1902. Go look either on SP or in the Mitchell. There is a very obvious candidate.

[AnneM]

Dear Gary

I've had a couple of thoughts about really useful things you could do for your research while you are off for Easter.

1. As you say visit the Mitchell but make sure you take a list of the things you want to look up, both poor law records and birth and death certificates. With preparation you will get a lot out of your visit. Staff will be more happy to help you find the type of record you need if you look a bit organised and not too random though I expect they will expect you to look up the records yourself once pointed towards the relevant record type.

2. Get a good Family History programme if you do not already have one and enter all the data you have gathered so far carefully. Make sure you scrupulously note all your sources and include any strange details such the spelling Deven for Devine which Sarah found for you. If you don't think you have the patience for this yourself try to get a willing family member to help you.

3. Try to get a 'feel' for the periods in history you are researching. You have the most amazing resource close to home and that is your Grandmother. Society has changed hugely even since she was young. Sit down with her if she lives near enough (don't forget to make her a cup of tea and bring a couple of her favourite cakes) or phone her if she does not and ask her about how things were when she was younger. Was she alive during WWII? If so was she evacuated or was the place she lived bombed? What was school life like? What were they taught and what means of discipline were used? How old was she when she left school and what did she work at thereafter? Was that the same for her brothers if she had any? What does she remember about her own parents and grandparents and how they grew up? I have fond memories of all the tales my grandmother, who was born in Victorian times, told me,which were fascinating even to a teenager. Just remember that the times she remembers are not history to her!!

Sorry to sound like a teacher, which I'm not. They're much braver than me! However I reckon that if you can do that you will have a great piece of work and a project to be proud of, not to mention some skills which will be invaluable for all your school and/or college work.

Anne

[garydevine1995]

no no its great to get help, because i am only 15 i am pretty unpaitent lol maybe on my other posts and this one it shows hahah but no its wonderful to get advice like this and you were right the walter that died in 1902 was mine, my gran was extremly suprised thank you so much you have been a great help Anne