Continuing on from Filling the Gaps – Part One, where we discovered the use of Census records, 1939 Register, BMD Certificates, Directories & Electoral rolls.
Previously.
As discussed, the list is not in any specific order. I will briefly give you some ideas on how to fill in gaps in your research or if you are starting out, some tips on how I use them to gain the most benefit.
Newspapers.
These can provide lots of details especially when you find a relative for whatever reason in a newspaper. It adds context to your ancestor. You can end up way off course when viewing newspapers – so you do need to stay focused.
TROVE, in Australia, is a fabulous resource. However, at the time of writing this (February 2023) it is under threat of closing due to government funding drying up. I have no idea what will happen. I found shipping arrivals, Golden wedding anniversary details plus so much more… This may all be lost! (UPDATE: See note at the end.)
The British Newspaper Archive show details covering most of the UK and seems to be expanding as more papers are being added. So, if you don’t find information now, it may be there later. It is a good source to locate details for example about weather – effects on farming – agricultural shows etc… And, plus so much more…
Shipping Records.
I briefly mentioned shipping arrivals in newspapers above, especially in Australia but there is more…
The Queensland State Archives have a lot of detailed passenger lists as well as information relating to the ship, captain, surgeon etc. All my direct ancestors landed in Queensland, Australia. I’m not too sure what details other Australian States have so I must apologise for that. Convicts – well you will find no end of information on these poor souls who were transported to Australia, mostly from the UK.
Maps.
I studied for my Family History Diploma with UTAS (Tassie University) during COVID. Part of the course was about mapping your ancestors or the like. It is when I saw it visually that it hit me and realised all my direct ancestors ended up in the same location in Queensland. If you know me, you will most likely know where it is. Due to quite a number of living relatives, I’m not mentioning the location, just yet.
You can use maps in a variety of ways. Cover a timeline, if you know a street address, especially in the UK. Check out The Genealogist website. I believe you need to be a subscriber to access all the maps.
You may locate a place of birth, the parish church and the graveyard where your ancestor may be buried in. It gives more context too. Maps are also useful if you have farmers who owned land – go across time – who owned it before and after.
Finally.
That’s it – Filling the gaps – a lot of the time you will end up with more questions than answers. You will develop various skills – like reading old-style handwriting and all the differences between counties, states as well as countries.
There will be patterns that will become apparent everywhere and useful. As I say, it’s a never-ending story…
Any questions, please feel free to ask – of course, within reason…
HAVE FUN… Explore and discover…
Note: On 03 April 2023, funding was granted, by the Australian Federal Government, to TROVE so their work can continue.
Ancestor Family 
Very interesting rod
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