Researching English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register. Learn more with Apryl Cox!
May 29, 2012
Why would you recommend a student attend SLIG in general?
SLIG is an intense immersion program where you are
instructed by experienced professionals during the day and have the opportunity
to practice what you learned in the evening. The close proximity of the Family
History Library is definitely a plus!
instructed by experienced professionals during the day and have the opportunity
to practice what you learned in the evening. The close proximity of the Family
History Library is definitely a plus!
Will you tell us a little bit about what makes your SLIG
course unique among genealogical education offerings?
course unique among genealogical education offerings?
Researching Your
English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register course is a fantastic
opportunity to learn about valuable lesser-used records of England from British
research experts who actually use these records and lecture about them
worldwide.
English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register course is a fantastic
opportunity to learn about valuable lesser-used records of England from British
research experts who actually use these records and lecture about them
worldwide.
Eventually, all British researchers who want to extend their
ancestral lines beyond the 19th and 20th centuries will
need to understand and employ a variety of England’s lesser-used records. What
better time and place to learn about these records than in a SLIG immersion
course.
ancestral lines beyond the 19th and 20th centuries will
need to understand and employ a variety of England’s lesser-used records. What
better time and place to learn about these records than in a SLIG immersion
course.
When did you first start researching your family history?
Was there a moment when you knew you were “hooked?”
Was there a moment when you knew you were “hooked?”
I began researching my family history when I was 16 or 17
years old and dabbled with it over the next 20 years while pursuing college
degrees and working full-time. Serious pursuit of my family history began in
1989. I soon became “hooked” as I learned about my ancestors’ lives and came to
appreciate their history—my history. The more I learned about my ancestors, the
more I understood myself. I started to feel connected to the universe in a way
I hadn’t experienced previously. Family history wasn’t just an interest or a
hobby anymore; it became a mission to fulfill. I felt compelled to discover not
only my ancestry, but also my husband’s. Serious pursuit of family history as a
business happened about 2004.
years old and dabbled with it over the next 20 years while pursuing college
degrees and working full-time. Serious pursuit of my family history began in
1989. I soon became “hooked” as I learned about my ancestors’ lives and came to
appreciate their history—my history. The more I learned about my ancestors, the
more I understood myself. I started to feel connected to the universe in a way
I hadn’t experienced previously. Family history wasn’t just an interest or a
hobby anymore; it became a mission to fulfill. I felt compelled to discover not
only my ancestry, but also my husband’s. Serious pursuit of family history as a
business happened about 2004.
Do you have a pet ancestor? Can you tell us a little bit
about what makes this person so special to you as a researcher?
about what makes this person so special to you as a researcher?
How could I pick just one? I intensely respect and
admire my Simpson and Wake lines from Northumberland and Durham counties in
England. Some were entrepreneurs with keen business acumen. Others were coal
miners and railway workers whose challenging lives I have come to admire due to
my study of the social, economic, cultural, and political history of the coal-mining areas of Durham County.
admire my Simpson and Wake lines from Northumberland and Durham counties in
England. Some were entrepreneurs with keen business acumen. Others were coal
miners and railway workers whose challenging lives I have come to admire due to
my study of the social, economic, cultural, and political history of the coal-mining areas of Durham County.
Of course, I have my favorite villains too—an illegal alien
ancestor who associated with the mafia in New York City, a Civil War deserter
who ended up in Sing Sing (a federal prison in New York) after being convicted for
highway robbery, and so on.
ancestor who associated with the mafia in New York City, a Civil War deserter
who ended up in Sing Sing (a federal prison in New York) after being convicted for
highway robbery, and so on.
I have learned from my ancestors that we all have strengths
and weaknesses, and moments of brilliance and despair. Sometimes we make
serious mistakes, but I believe our choices are usually based on what we
believe is best for us at the time. This attitude helps me to accept what I
learn about my ancestors, to better understand them, to appreciate them, and in
turn, to better understand and accept myself.
and weaknesses, and moments of brilliance and despair. Sometimes we make
serious mistakes, but I believe our choices are usually based on what we
believe is best for us at the time. This attitude helps me to accept what I
learn about my ancestors, to better understand them, to appreciate them, and in
turn, to better understand and accept myself.
What record set to you believe is the most
under-utilized? What advice would you give students in using this record set?
under-utilized? What advice would you give students in using this record set?
Probate records! So many English research problems are
resolved with probate! I’ve identified the parents of children who were never
christened (or whose christenings weren’t recorded), linked generations by
using properties described in wills, discovered previously unknown family members,
and extended ancestral lines by several generations using probate.
resolved with probate! I’ve identified the parents of children who were never
christened (or whose christenings weren’t recorded), linked generations by
using properties described in wills, discovered previously unknown family members,
and extended ancestral lines by several generations using probate.
My advice for students interested in using England’s
pre-1858 probate records effectively is to learn how to deal with the
hierarchical ecclesiastical court structure, take a paleography course, and
look for little clues in the probate records that can bring large results.
pre-1858 probate records effectively is to learn how to deal with the
hierarchical ecclesiastical court structure, take a paleography course, and
look for little clues in the probate records that can bring large results.
What books and periodicals would you recommend for
intermediate to advanced researchers? Are there any lesser-known texts you
advise?
intermediate to advanced researchers? Are there any lesser-known texts you
advise?
I would definitely recommend Mark Herber’s Ancestral Trails (Stroud,
Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2004) for a general overview of
England’s records. Depending upon the
topic, there are many more specific books I would recommend (you’ll have to attend
this English course to construct a list!)
For example, if you want to learn more about British Army records, I
would suggest two excellent well-written books—Simon Fowler’s Army Records
for Family Historians (London: PRO Publications, 1992) and Michael J. Watts
and Christopher T. Watts’ My Ancestor
was in the British Army (London: Society of Genealogists, 1995).
Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2004) for a general overview of
England’s records. Depending upon the
topic, there are many more specific books I would recommend (you’ll have to attend
this English course to construct a list!)
For example, if you want to learn more about British Army records, I
would suggest two excellent well-written books—Simon Fowler’s Army Records
for Family Historians (London: PRO Publications, 1992) and Michael J. Watts
and Christopher T. Watts’ My Ancestor
was in the British Army (London: Society of Genealogists, 1995).
What is the most rewarding thing about being a
genealogical educator? What advice would you give for those who would follow in
your footsteps?
genealogical educator? What advice would you give for those who would follow in
your footsteps?
The most rewarding aspect of being a genealogical educator
is “seeing the light go on” in students’ faces. It’s the “ah-hah!” moments when
bits of scattered information come together in a meaningful way.
is “seeing the light go on” in students’ faces. It’s the “ah-hah!” moments when
bits of scattered information come together in a meaningful way.
My advice for those who want to become genealogical
educators is to begin right now. Develop lessons on topics that you are
comfortable with and find a location where you can present them. Perhaps a
local Family History Center will allow you to conduct classes if you make
arrangements in advance. Experience is critical—so is student feedback.
educators is to begin right now. Develop lessons on topics that you are
comfortable with and find a location where you can present them. Perhaps a
local Family History Center will allow you to conduct classes if you make
arrangements in advance. Experience is critical—so is student feedback.
Will you share something with us that students may not
know about you? Perhaps a non-genealogical hobby?
know about you? Perhaps a non-genealogical hobby?
I am a hiking fanatic! Saturdays and vacations are built
around hiking adventures. This addiction is not only good exercise and a stress
reducer, but it satisfies a need for solace and beauty.
around hiking adventures. This addiction is not only good exercise and a stress
reducer, but it satisfies a need for solace and beauty.
Any parting thoughts or advice?
Come with an open, inquisitive mind and apply what you learn
as soon as you can. Nothing substitutes for experience!
as soon as you can. Nothing substitutes for experience!
