How far back can my Family History go?

Victorian Family History
The Victorians were great record keepers; so for most people it is possible to trace their family at least to the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign in 1837. Before that date we are reliant on parish registers, wills, settlement documents, manorial and estate records, deeds etc.

Problem periods for Genealogical Research
There are several periods when people tracing their ancestors are likely to get stuck.

Late 18th Century Genealogy
In the late eighteenth century many people abandoned the Church of England, and joined the non-conformist churches. Not all the registers of these churches survive, so this is a point where people often get stuck.

Impact of the civil war on family research
The civil war and commonwealth period (1642-1660) is another problem period. Obviously the war disrupted normal life in some parishes, and a significant number of people throughout the country either joined, or followed the forces of either side.

In 1653 the recording of baptisms ceased, and civil Registers (Registrars) were appointed to record births, marriages and burials. Unfortunately, many of those appointed were almost illiterate, so the registers for this period are usually not very well kept.

Those who manage to get over this hurdle can sometimes trace their family back to the beginning of the seventeenth century. Most parish registers begin in the late 16th or early 17th centuries, although some do go back to 1538.

Pre Parish Register Genealogy
For a few individuals it will be possible to trace their families further back than this using Manorial Records together with wills, and legal documents, but this will be the exception, rather than the rule.