The Thrifty Genealogist

The Infamous Brick Wall


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.


Quick Aid Have You Checked All Of These

Birth Year

Parish Records
Bishop Transcripts
BDM
Census
Wills
Probate
Apprentice
Prison
immigration
Workhouse
WarGrave
Marriage
Divorce
Adoption
Burial
Bastardy
Newspapers

Religion

Parish Records C of E
Catholic
Quakers
Jewish
Non Conformist
Family bibles
Wills
Probate
Marriage
Divorce
Adoption
Burial
Newspapers

Legal

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 ,