So you have hit the infamous brick wall, don't despair, every genealogist whether amateur or professional has hit this, we can tackle this in multiple ways
1/ Names of people are often spelt completely differently depending on by whom, where, and when they are written. For example the name Warren can be written Wharren, Waren, Wharrene, Wharrens. So try different versions of that name. (Example) Locations in Wales might also be using an old Welsh name for the location
2/ Is the record you are looking at a **PRIMARY** source or secondary/transcript? An internet database is secondary. Go find the primary source; an image on the internet will suffice. You may find that it has been transcribed incorrectly, "eye skip" is very common when transcribing lots of data hour after hour
3/ At the time of writing this, less than 10% of historical records have been digitised (placed on the internet). The National Archives has only placed about 6% of its records on the internet. Solution is to go to the nearest library to the location of interest and search the archives there!
4/ University libraries are a deep source of historical data.Some are free online,if you have not tried these resources try them
5/ Check Funeral and Memorial Books, These hold endless amounts on the deceased person.Like DoB,birth Location,DoD,Age,Parents,Grandparents,Family,Obituary,location
6/ Put aside all your research on a particular individual and search again. DO NOT RESEARCH but start searching from scratch, you may be surprised what you missed first time
7/ Books, books, and more books. The Victorians and Edwardians had no TV or Netflix, they had books. They transcribed old books, parish records, wrote histories about places and peoples. I cannot emphasise how much information is held here gutenberg.org archive.org z-lib.id There are 1000s of sites like this
{tip} Remember you can search an ebook for text, you don't have to read the whole book
8/ Boundaries change,you may be looking in South Yorkshire but you need to search in Derbyshire,or worse still Berwick has been in a different country,Look in the correct boundary for the time period
9/ DNA ,This technology is opening up genealogy in a big way.Once you have a test upload it to gematch.com and all the other free upload sites,see the 1000s of people you are related to,try a few emails to them ,they may just have the info you require
10/ Those horrible date changes. Since 1155 AD the new year started on **March 25 (Lady Day)**, but on **September 14th 1752** the new year started on 1st January, **11 days were skipped** to align the calendar with the solar year.
Many Catholic countries adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1582, but Protestant Britain delayed due to religious and political resistance, viewing the reform as a Catholic imposition.
Dates between January 1 and March 24 before 1752 often include dual dating (e.g., 1740/41) to clarify the year under both systems.
When researching UK historical records (e.g., via The National Archives), you may need to adjust for the 11-day shift when comparing with Gregorian-based records from other countries.
Parish Records
Bishop Transcripts
BDM
Census
Wills
Probate
Apprentice
Prison
immigration
Workhouse
WarGrave
Marriage
Divorce
Adoption
Burial
Bastardy
Newspapers
Parish Records C of E
Catholic
Quakers
Jewish
Non Conformist
Family bibles
Wills
Probate
Marriage
Divorce
Adoption
Burial
Newspapers
Land Records
Court Defendant
Court Witness
Court Juror
Poor Law
Prison Rec
Wills
Probate
Newspapers
Trade directories
Window Tax
Hearth Tax
Immigration
Ship Manifest
Military
Militia
I asked AI to give us a comprehensive list of possible genealogist Record that we could check
Accountants’ Records
Acrobats’ Records
Actors’ Records
Adoption Records
Advertisers’ Records
Aeronautical Records
Aeroplane Painters’ Records
Alchemists’ Records
Alien Registration Records
Ambassadors’ Records
Amber Collectors’ Records
Anchorites’ Records
Anglers’ Records
Antarctic Exploration Records
Antiquarians’ Records
Apothecaries’ Records
Applique Collectors’ Records
Apprenticeship Records
Archaeologists’ Records
Archers’ Records
Architects’ Records
Archivists’ Records
Arctic Exploration Records
Armourers’ Records
Artists’ Records
Ascetics’ Records
Assize Records
Astrologers’ Records
Astronomers’ Records
Asylum Records
Auctioneers’ Records
Augurs’ Records
Autobiographers’ Records
Aviators’ Records
Badge Makers’ Records
Bailiffs’ Records
Bakers’ Records
Balladeers’ Records
Balloonists’ Records
Bamboo Collectors’ Records
Bankers’ Records
Banknote Printers’ Records
Bank Records
Bankruptcy Records
Banner Painters’ Records
Banns Registers
Baptist Records
Barbers’ Records
Bards’ Records
Bargees’ Records
Barristers’ Records
Basketmakers’ Records
Bastardy Bonds
Beadles’ Records
Bellfounders’ Records
Bellringers’ Records
Bicycle Painters’ Records
Billposters’ Records
Bill Printers’ Records
Biographers’ Records
Birth Certificates
Blacksmiths’ Records
Bladesmiths’ Records
Blueprint Makers’ Records
Boatbuilders’ Records
Bobbin Lace Collectors’ Records
Bone Collectors’ Records
Bonepickers’ Records
Bookbinders’ Records
Book Collectors’ Records
Booksellers’ Records
Botanists’ Records
Bottle Collectors’ Records
Boulle Work Collectors’ Records
Box Collectors’ Records
Boxers’ Records
Braid Collectors’ Records
Brassfounders’ Records
Brewers’ Records
Brewery Records
Bricklayers’ Records
Brickmakers’ Records
Bridge Keepers’ Records
Brocade Collectors’ Records
Brokers’ Records
Buglers’ Records
Builders’ Records
Burgh Records (Scotland)
Business Records
Butchers’ Records
Cabinetmakers’ Records
Calendar Printers’ Records
Canal Company Records
Can Collectors’ Records
Candlemakers’ Records
Cane Collectors’ Records
Canteen Collectors’ Records
Cantors’ Records
Card Printers’ Records
Caricaturists’ Records
Carpenters’ Records
Carriage Painters’ Records
Carriers’ Records
Carters’ Records
Cartographers’ Records
Cartoonists’ Records
Carvers’ Records
Catholic Parish Registers (Ireland and Northern Ireland)
Cementmakers’ Records
Cemetery Registers
Census Returns
Ceramists’ Records
Champlevé Collectors’ Records
Chancery Records
Charcoal Burners’ Records
Charity Records
Charlatans’ Records
Chartmakers’ Records
Chart Printers’ Records
Chemists’ Records
Chiffoniers’ Records
Chimney Sweeps’ Records
Chiropodists’ Records
Choreographers’ Records
Choristers’ Records
Chroniclers’ Records
Churchwardens’ Accounts
Cigarette Card Collectors’ Records
Cinematographers’ Records
Circus Records
Civil Partnership Records
Clairvoyants’ Records
Clayworkers’ Records
Clergymen’s Records
Clergy Records
Clerks’ Records
Clockmakers’ Records
Clogmakers’ Records
Cloisonné Collectors’ Records
Clowns’ Records
Coachmen’ Records
Coach Painters’ Records
Coastguard Records
Coin Collectors’ Records
Coin Makers’ Records
Colliers’ Records
Colonial Records
Comedians’ Records
Composers’ Records
Confectioners’ Records
Congregational Records
Conjurers’ Records
Constables’ Records
Consular Records
Convent Records
Coopers’ Records
Coppersmiths’ Records
Coral Collectors’ Records
Cord Collectors’ Records
Cordwainers’ Records
Cork Collectors’ Records
Coroners’ Inquests
Corsetmakers’ Records
Cotton Collectors’ Records
Couriers’ Records
Court Rolls
Cricketers’ Records
Criers’ Records
Critics’ Records
Crochet Collectors’ Records
Crooners’ Records
Crusade Records
Curators’ Records
Curriers’ Records
Customs Service Records
Cutlers’ Records
Cyclists’ Records
Dairymaids’ Records
Damascene Collectors’ Records
Damask Collectors’ Records
Dancers’ Records
Death Certificates
Debaters’ Records
Decorators’ Records
Deeds Registers
Denization Records
Dentists’ Records
Designers’ Records
Diarists’ Records
Diplomatic Records
Distillers’ Records
Diviners’ Records
Diving Records
Divorce Records
Dock Workers’ Records
Doll Collectors’ Records
Drainlayers’ Records
Drapers’ Records
Dressmakers’ Records
Drovers’ Records
Druggists’ Records
Drummers’ Records
Dustmen’s Records
Editors’ Records
Electoral Registers
Electric Company Records
Emblemmakers’ Records
Embroiderers’ Records
Embroidery Collectors’ Records
Emigration Records
Enamel Collectors’ Records
Enclosure Awards
Engineers’ Records
Engravers’ Records
Entomologists’ Records
Equestrians’ Records
Esparto Collectors’ Records
Essayists’ Records
Estate Agents’ Records
Estate Papers
Etchers’ Records
Evangelists’ Records
Exchequer Records
Excise Records
Explorers’ Records
Exporters’ Records
Factors’ Records
Fairground Records
Faith Healers’ Records
Family Bibles
Farmers’ Records
Farriers’ Records
Feather Collectors’ Records
Fellmongers’ Records
Fence Painters’ Records
Fencers’ Records
Ferrymen’s Records
Fifers’ Records
Fire Service Records
Fishermen’s Records
Fishmongers’ Records
Flagmakers’ Records
Flask Collectors’ Records
Flax Collectors’ Records
Florists’ Records
Flushermen’s Records
Fools’ Records
Footballers’ Records
Foresters’ Records
Fortune Tellers’ Records
Freemen Records
Freight Agents’ Records
Friendly Society Records
Fringe Collectors’ Records
Fruiterers’ Records
Funeral Directors’ Records
Furriers’ Records
Gamekeepers’ Records
Gardeners’ Records
Gas Company Records
Genealogists’ Records
Geographers’ Records
Geologists’ Records
Gilders’ Records
Glassmakers’ Records
Glaziers’ Records
Gleemen’s Records
Glovers’ Records
Goldsmiths’ Records
Gong Farmers’ Records
Gourd Collectors’ Records
Grammarians’ Records
Graphologists’ Records
Greengrocers’ Records
Griffith’s Valuation (Northern Ireland)
Grinders’ Records
Grocers’ Records
Grooms’ Records
Guild Records
Gunsmiths’ Records
Haberdashers’ Records
Hair Collectors’ Records Collectors’ Records
Hairdressers’ Records
Harbor Masters’ Records
Harlequins’ Records
Harnessmakers’ Records
Hatmakers’ Records
Hawkers’ Licences
Health Board Records
Hearth Tax Records
Hemp Collectors’ Records
Heraldic Visitations
Heralds’ Records
Herbalists’ Records
Heresy Trials
Hermits’ Records
Herpetologists’ Records
Hipflask Collectors’ Records
Historians’ Records
Hod Carriers’ Records
Horn Collectors’ Records
Horticulturists’ Records
Hosiers’ Records
Hospital Records
Huguenot Records
Hunters’ Records
Hypnotists’ Records
Ichthyologists’ Records
Illustrators’ Records
Immigration Records
Importers’ Records
Inclosure Acts Records
Inlay Collectors’ Records
Innkeepers’ Licences
Inquisition Records
Insurance Records
Insurers’ Records
Intarsia Collectors’ Records
Interpreters’ Records
Inventors’ Records
Ironmongers’ Records
Ivory Collectors’ Records
Jar Collectors’ Records
Jesters’ Records
Jet Collectors’ Records
Jewellers’ Records
Jewish Community Records
Jockeys’ Records
Joiners’ Records
Journalists’ Records
Jug Collectors’ Records
Jugglers’ Records
Jute Collectors’ Records
Kirk Session Records (Scotland)
Knackers’ Records
Knitting Collectors’ Records
Knotting Collectors’ Records
Label Printers’ Records
Lacemakers’ Records
Lacquer Collectors’ Records
Lamplighters’ Records
Lamppost Painters’ Records
Land Tax Assessments
Leathersellers’ Records
Leech Collectors’ Records
Letters and Diaries
Letter Writers’ Records
Lexicographers’ Records
Librarians’ Records
Lifeboat Records
Lighthouse Keeper Records
Lighthouse Records
Limeburners’ Records
Linen Collectors’ Records
Linguists’ Records
Linkboys’ Records
Lithographers’ Records
Litter Bearers’ Records
Local History Collections
Lock Keepers’ Records
Locksmiths’ Records
Macramé Collectors’ Records
Magicians’ Records
Mammalogists’ Records
Manorial Records
Manumission Records
Manuscript Collectors’ Records
Map Collectors’ Records
Mapmakers’ Records
Map Printers’ Records
Mariners’ Records
Market Traders’ Records
Marquetry Collectors’ Records
Marriage Certificates
Marriage Licences
Masons’ Records
Matchstick Collectors’ Records
Mathematicians’ Records
Mauchline Ware Collectors’ Records
Medal Makers’ Records
Medal Rolls
Medical Registers
Mediums’ Records
Mercers’ Records
Merchant Navy Records
Merchants’ Records
Mesmerists’ Records
Messengers’ Records
Meteorologists’ Records
Methodist Records
Midwives’ Records
Military Service Records
Militia Records
Millers’ Records
Milliners’ Records
Miners’ Records
Mining Records
Minstrels’ Records
Missionaries’ Records
Mission Logs
Model Collectors’ Records
Modelmakers’ Records
Monastic Records
Moneylenders’ Records
Monumental Inscriptions
Mortgage Records
Mosaic Collectors’ Records
Mother-of-Pearl Collectors’ Records
Motorcar Painters’ Records
Motorists’ Records
Mountaineering Records
Mountebanks’ Records
Mudlarks’ Records
Mug Collectors’ Records
Mummers’ Records
Museum Records
Musicians’ Records
Muster Rolls
Mutiny Records
Mystics’ Records
Nalbinding Collectors’ Records
National Archives Collections
Naturalization Records
Navigators’ Records
Navvies’ Records
Needle Lace Collectors’ Records
Needlework Collectors’ Records
Netmakers’ Records
Netting Collectors’ Records
Newspaper Proprietors’ Records
Newspapers
Niello Collectors’ Records
Nightsoil Men’s Records
Nonconformist Registers
Notaries’ Records
Novelists’ Records
Numerologists’ Records
Numismatists’ Records
Nurses’ Records
Obituaries
Occupational Records
Oilmen’s Records
Old Parish Registers (Scotland)
Omnibus Drivers’ Records
Opticians’ Records
Oral Histories
Orators’ Records
Ordnance Survey Maps
Ornithologists’ Records
Ostlers’ Records
Overseers’ Accounts
Oystermen’s Records
Packhorse Records
Painters’ Records
Palki Carriers’ Records
Palmists’ Records
Paperhangers’ Records
Papermakers’ Records
Parachutists’ Records
Parchmentmakers’ Records
Parish Baptism Registers
Parish Burial Registers
Parish Marriage Registers
Park Keepers’ Records
Parquetry Collectors’ Records
Passementerie Collectors’ Records
Passenger Lists
Patchwork Collectors’ Records
Pattenmakers’ Records
Patternmakers’ Records
Paviors’ Records
Pawnbrokers’ Records
Pearl Collectors’ Records
Peddlers’ Records
Pedlars’ Licences
Peerage Records
Pension Records
Perfumers’ Records
Pharmacists’ Records
Philatelists’ Records
Philosophers’ Records
Photographers’ Records
Photographs
Phrenologists’ Records
Physicians’ Records
Physicists’ Records
Picture Collectors’ Records
Pierrots’ Records
Pietra Dura Collectors’ Records
Pilgrimage Records
Pipe Rolls
Pipers’ Records
Pirate Records
Plan Printers’ Records
Plantation Records
Plasterers’ Records
Plastermakers’ Records
Players’ Records
Playwrights’ Records
Plique-à-Jour Collectors’ Records
Plumbers’ Records
Poachers’ Records
Poets’ Records
Police Records
Poll Books
Poor Law Records
Poor Rate Books
Port Authority Records
Porters’ Records
Postcard Collectors’ Records
Poster Printers’ Records
Postilions’ Records
Post Office Records
Potters’ Records
Poulterers’ Records
Preachers’ Records
Presbyterian Records
Print Collectors’ Records
Printers’ Records
Prison Records
Privateer Records
Prophets’ Records
Psychics’ Records
Publicans’ Records
Publishers’ Records
Puppeteers’ Records
Quacks’ Records
Quaker Records
Quarrymen’s Records
Quarter Sessions Records
Quilts Collectors’ Records
Raffia Collectors’ Records
Rag Collectors’ Records
Ragpickers’ Records
Railway Employment Records
Railway Workers’ Records
Rate Books
Recluses’ Records
Reeves’ Records
Removal Orders
Reporters’ Records
Reviewers’ Records
Revivalists’ Records
Rhetoricians’ Records
Ribbon Collectors’ Records
Rickshaw Pullers’ Records
River Navigators’ Records
Roadmenders’ Records
Ropemakers’ Records
Rugby Players’ Records
Rush Collectors’ Records
Saddlers’ Records
Sailmakers’ Records
Salters’ Records
Saltworkers’ Records
Salvage Records
Samplers Collectors’ Records
Sasine Registers (Scotland)
Sawyers’ Records
Scavengers’ Records
School Registers
Scientific Expedition Records
Scourers’ Records
Scriveners’ Records
Sculptors’ Records
Seal Makers’ Records
Seamen’s Records
Seamstresses’ Records
Sedan Chairmen’s Records
Seedsmen’s Records
Seers’ Records
Settlement Certificates
Sewage Board Records
Sewermen’s Records
Shell Collectors’ Records
Shepherds’ Records
Ship Painters’ Records
Shippers’ Records
Shipwreck Records
Shipwrights’ Records
Shoemakers’ Records
Shooters’ Records
Signalmen’s Records
Sign Painters’ Records
Signwriters’ Records
Silk Collectors’ Records
Silversmiths’ Records
Sinew Collectors’ Records
Singers’ Records
Sisal Collectors’ Records
Skalds’ Records
Skin Collectors’ Records
Skinners’ Records
Slateworkers’ Records
Slave Trade Records
Slave Trade Records (British Empire)
Smugglers’ Records
Snow Clearers’ Records
Soapmakers’ Records
Solicitors’ Records
Soothsayers’ Records
Speleologists’ Records
Spiritualists’ Records
Sprang Collectors’ Records
Stagecoach Drivers’ Records
Stamp Collectors’ Records
Stamp Makers’ Records
Stationers’ Records
Stationmasters’ Records
Staymakers’ Records
Stein Collectors’ Records
Stewards’ Records
Stockbrokers’ Records
Stonecutters’ Records
Straw Collectors’ Records
Street Cleaners’ Records
Subsidy Rolls
Surgeons’ Records
Surveyors’ Records
Tailors’ Records
Tallow Chandlers’ Records
Tallow Collectors’ Records
Tankard Collectors’ Records
Tanners’ Records
Tape Collectors’ Records
Tapestry Collectors’ Records
Tassel Collectors’ Records
Tatting Collectors’ Records
Telegraph Workers’ Records
Telepathists’ Records
Telephone Workers’ Records
Tesserae Collectors’ Records
Theologians’ Records
Thespians’ Records
Ticket Printers’ Records
Tide Millers’ Records
Tilemakers’ Records
Timber Merchants’ Records
Tin Collectors’ Records
Tinkers’ Records
Tinsmiths’ Records
Tithe Applotment Books (Northern Ireland)
Tithe Records
Tobacconists’ Records
Toll Collectors’ Records
Tombstone Records
Tortoise Shell Collectors’ Records
Toshers’ Records
Totters’ Records
Toy Collectors’ Records
Toymakers’ Records
Trade Directories
Trade Mission Records
Tram Drivers’ Records
Translators’ Records
Transportation Records
Travelers’ Diaries
Treen Collectors’ Records
Treenware Collectors’ Records
Trophy Makers’ Records
Troubadours’ Records
Trumpeters’ Records
Tunbridge Ware Collectors’ Records
Turners’ Records
Turnpike Trust Records
Underwriters’ Records
Unitarian Records
University Records
Upholsterers’ Records
Vaccination Records
Valuation Rolls (Scotland)
Valuers’ Records
Velvet Collectors’ Records
Ventriloquists’ Records
Verderers’ Records
Vestry Minutes
Veterinarians’ Records
Vintners’ Records
Visionaries’ Records
Wagoners’ Records
Wardens’ Records
Watchmakers’ Records
Watchmen’s Records
Water Company Records
Watermillers’ Records
Weavers’ Records
Whalers’ Records
Wheelwrights’ Records
Wicker Collectors’ Records
Wigmakers’ Records
Wills and Probate Records
Windmillers’ Records
Window Tax Records
Witch Trial Records
Woodcutters’ Records
Woodware Collectors’ Records
Wool Collectors’ Records
Workhouse Records
Wrestlers’ Records
Writers’ Records
Yodellers’ Records
Zannis’ Records
Zookeepers’ Records
Zoologists’ Records