The list below gives some of the items which may be of use to you in your family research. Some of these you will have at home, some may be in your local library, record office or family history centre and others may be checked by a professional researcher on your behalf.
Family Sources:
The best place to start is at home and with your family. Don't neglect to talk to the older members of your family; they have a wealth of information that you will never find in books. Ask them about the old days - most of them love talking about it. Then check to see if anyone in the family has:
Family Bible
Diaries, Letters, Birthday Books
Photographs, School Reports, Military Medals
Gloucestershire Records:
The following records relate specifically to Gloucestershire and Bristol and are important sources of information.
Bigland's Memorial Inscriptions
Gloucestershire Transportees
Smith's Men and Armour in Gloucestershire in 1608
Military Survey of Gloucestershire for 1552
Medieval Taxpayers of Gloucestershire for 1327
Gloucestershire Notes and Queries
Fosbrook's History of the City of Gloucester
Victoria County History for Gloucestershire
Registers of Freemen of Gloucester 1641 - 1838
Cheltenham Settlement Examinations 1815 - 1826
Cheltenham Probate Records 1660 - 1740
Gloucestershire Marriage Allegations 1637 - 1700
Bristol Marriage Licence Bonds 1637 - 1700
The Laws of Dean Forest
Freeminers' Registrations and Applications for Gales
General Records:
General Register Office for birth, marriage and death certificates (B,M,D)
Parish Registers for christenings, marriages and burials (C,M,B)
International Genealogical Index
Bishops' Transcripts
Census Records for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891
Wills and Administrations (County wills, PCC wills, National Probate Calendars)
Education Records (School, College, University, Legal, Medical, Clerical professions)
Military Records (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Services, Militia)
Non-Conformist Records (Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, Jewish, Society of Friends, Roman Catholic, etc.)
Medical Records
Apprenticeship Records, Guild records, Lists of Freemen
Poor Law Records (Examinations, Settlements, Certificates)
Newspapers (B, M, D notices, obituaries, etc.)
Marriage Licences, Bonds and Settlements
Quarter Sessions, Assize Records and Coroners' Records
Street and Trade Directories
Electoral Rolls
Emigration Records
Land, Hearth and Window Tax documents
Title Deeds and Indentures
Manorial Records
Gloucestershire Research:
There are many more records which can be accessed in the search for information about your ancestors. If you would like me to check any of the above, or other items not yet listed, please contact me, Liz Jack.
Last updated : 17th November 2001