Review: Tracing Your Pre-Victorian Ancestors: A Guide to Research Methods for Family Historians by John Wintrip

Tracing Your Pre-Victorian Ancestors:  A Guide to Research Methods for Family Historians.

By John Wintrip, Pen & Sword, 2017, 214 p. 

For genealogists researching British ancestors, 1837 was a pivotal year. It was the year of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne, which coincided with the beginning of civil registration in England. Civil registration introduced a mandatory standard of reporting for births, marriages and deaths, making these records invaluable for post-1837 genealogical research. Censuses that recorded all members of the household did not come about until 1841. John Wintrip effectively argues that research in the Pre-Victorian era is far more complex and challenging than is required for post-Victorian British research, and that family historian needs to apply more skill and acquire more knowledge when researching in this period. It is important to note that the information in this book can also be applied to research in Wales.

The author divides his book, not by source materials as most guides tend to do, but by topics that best help the researcher decide which records might be available for their particular ancestor, as well as by topics related to research methodology. The guide begins with a discussion around the unique challenges of researching in the pre-Victorian period, and how it differs from the post period.  The author then sets out his view that there are four major competencies required of a genealogist:  1) knowledge of sources 2) searching skills 3) analytical and problem-solving skills and 4) external knowledge. Examples of external knowledge include generic knowledge such as types of land tenure and the manorial system, and specific external knowledge, such as the history of a specific geographical region.

Chapter Three, “Sources,” is an excellent primer centring on the definitions of original and derivative sources and the differences between primary and secondary information. These concepts allow genealogists to assess the usefulness of the records and information they find, enabling them to adhere to the Genealogical Proof Standard. The concepts surrounding evidence and proof are addressed in a later chapter.

Wintrip stresses the importance of historical context to determine the best research strategy. He clearly shows how an ancestor’s social standing, religion, occupation and their relocations can point to useful sources and be used to differentiate your ancestors from others with similar names. Detailed case studies regarding mistaken identities in research help show research pitfalls and how to avoid them in your own research. An entire chapter is devoted to the subject of names (both Christian and surnames) and the importance of naming patterns in genealogy. The discussion on naming practices and the evolution of surnames is fascinating and informative.

Intended for the advanced genealogist, this book focusses on the methodology required to conduct proper research in pre-Victorian England and will be of interest to anyone who has had difficulty taking their research back to pre-civil registration times. Even though the author clearly states that this book is intended for those with British ancestry, it has much to offer anyone with an interest in learning about sound genealogical research practices and methodology.