Genealogy Chat

I am only a newby to family history and have now reached the point of searching 1841 and 1851 censusus. I know this might appear a 'dumb' question, but can I purchase an index of the complete counties of Northumberland and Durham, and also the actual census. Members on this site have been good enough to do look ups for me, but if I can would like to purchase the complete county records. I would like your guidance please. Dorothy, Sydney

Dorothy, I you go to the NDFHS site then you'll see the list of indexes that have been produced and that are available for sale. The address is www.ndfhs.org.uk. There is somewhere to purchase CDs of the original Census Derek

Thanks Derek, I have looked at the ndfhs and they do have a lot of separate indexes, I have family all over the two counties and they move around so much never know where they are, so I wondered whether there was a complete index. Maybe I am asking too much. Thanks for your help. Dorothy

Hello Dorothy, I have both the 41 and 51 Northumberland censuses and would be willing to help you at any time. If your family is in a smallish place then it is fairly easy to look through the sections to find them. The problem comes when you have someone born or living in somewhere like North Shields, that covers such a huge area that it is a nightmare to look through, that is where buying a partial index to go with the discs would be a good idea. My family luckily all came from rural locations. If you don't know this site www*durhamrecordsonline*com (replace* with.) I would recommend you to take a look. It is free for anyone to search and gives parish records as well as censuses. They are adding lots of new stuff to it all of the time. You do have to pay to view the results, but I have found it to be very reasonable. One credit gives you the whole family on a census not just one person. It depends of course where in Durham your family came from, I was lucky as mine were from the Houghton area and it is extremely well covered Linda

Hi Linda Thank you for the info and for the offer of help with the Northumberland 1841 and 1851, I really do appreciate your offer. As far as Durham goes I have used the Durham on line site, but unfortunately most of my lot come from around Ryton, Crawcrook and surrounding areas and so far are not on the Durham records. Is it ok for me to contact you via email when I need a Northumberland lookup? Many thanks. Dorothy

Yes of course you can ask for a look up, any time. I used to live just a mile from Ryton as a child and used to go to the pictures every Saturday morning in Crawcrook, what a long time ago that was!!!!!!! Just off to photograph some graves for a chap from Australia, so will be back this afternoon and happy to help. Linda

hi dorathy my family came from around durham where i still live but this is for derek tried address you gave for indexes but cant find it can you please help hope you dont mind ann xx up date found it going to have a look now thanks

Hi Linda Thanks Linda, I also came from Ryton, will send you an email. Dorothy

Hi Ann Hope you found what you were looking for Dorothy

hi had a look too much to see supose to be ironing but will be having another look but cant find where to order stuff ann xx