UK Family History Research for the Beginner Genealogist
What you'll learn
- How to trace their English and/or Welsh ancestry back several generations to the early 19th century
- How to use the online genealogical search websites in a professional way
- How to use old photographs to enrich your family history research
- How to Create a basic family tree chart using pen and paper or software
- How to search for and read birth, marriage and death certificates
- How to search and read the UK census records
- How to search and read the UK parish registers
- How to avoid the common errors of amateur genealogists
- Students will gain a deeper understanding of the most commonly used family history resources
Requirements
- Internet access and basic knowledge of using websites. Some experience of using search engines would be useful.
Description
Have you ever wondered how to start genealogy research? This course will take you, step by step, through the most important processes of researching your family history. After learning how to construct your own family history charts, and find family photographs and other ancestral documents, you will learn how to use the most important sources used in searching for ancestry: civil registration, census records and parish registers. The course covers mainly genealogy in England and Wales - but there will also be useful information about Scottish and Irish genealogy.
Who this course is for:
- People who want to start tracing ancestry in the UK
- People who have done some UK genealogy, but have got stuck and would like to start from scratch
- Amateur genealogists who want to find out more about the basic research sources
- Amateur genealogists who have hit a brick wall and want to check if they've missed something
- People who would like to find out more about Civil Registration and certificates
- People who would like to find out more about the UK Census records
- People who would like to find out more about researching parish registers in the UK
- Genealogists in US, Australia, and elsewhere, who have found they have UK ancestors they would like to trace
- Amateur genealogists would like a deeper understanding of some of the basic UK resources
Instructor
![Rosamunde Bott](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 218 Reviews
- 2,955 Students
- 5 Courses
I have several interests and career strands, and so I have, and will be, creating courses on three main subjects here on Udemy as follows:
Genealogy
I have been a professional genealogist since the early 1990s and have a First Class Honours Degree in History & Literature, as well as a Diploma in Social History Research. I am also an experienced educator with a Further & Adult Education Teaching Certificate.
I have an extensive knowledge of UK history. I have had several articles published in various family history publications in the UK, and I also write and self publish historical fiction. I am also a qualified teacher, and have taught Genealogy for Beginners as an evening class here in the UK.
Chronic Fatigue
I was diagnosed with CFS/ME in about 2001, and since then have spent a lot of time learning about this condition and finding out the best ways of managing and recovering from CFS. I have got to a point where I fell well on most days, and I want to share the information that got me here through my CFS courses.
Writing
I have always wanted to write, and many times I have had to put it to one side in order to earn a living. But I have managed over time to write several novels - usually historical, and usually multi-timeline - and they are now self-published on Amazon. I am planning to create some writing courses here on Udemy in the future.
Qualifications
First-Class Honours Degree in History & Literature
Further & Adult Education Teaching Certificate
Diploma in Modern Social History Research
Certificate in Life Coaching
General
I was born in the Isle of Man, but spent most of my childhood in Oxfordshire, England until my family moved to London, where I spent my teens and twenties. My father was an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and so I had a very interesting upbringing, including two trips to America when my father was touring there.
It was in London where my fascination with genealogy and history began, and I started tracing my family tree at some of the archives of London many years before the birth of the internet.
I also at this time began to write in my spare time, and around the same time started my Arts degree with the Open University where I studied History and Literature. As part of one of my modules I had to carry out some historical research, and by the time I finished my degree, I decided to use my knowledge to become a professional genealogist.
Meanwhile, I had spent many years in various jobs (including being an actress, stage manager, box office clerk, dresser, secretary, learning support assistant, lecturer and life coach!) - and built up a lot of experience of all kinds of careers. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and it took me many years of trial and error to get myself into a space of recovery. During that time I became self employed, running my genealogy service whilst also giving myself time to write my novels. I now have several books published on Amazon (some with a family history theme), and plan to build far more in future.
I now live in Warwickshire and spend my time writing, doing genealogy, and writing courses!