Books
Some suggested reading.
Voices from the Workhouse tells the real inside story of the workhouse – in the words of those who experienced the institution at first hand, either as inmates or through some other connection with the institution. By workhouse authority Peter Higginbotham.
Glossary
- BMD = Births, Marriages, Deaths. The most important records for tracking ancestors. BMD is the usual term in Britain, BDM can be found elsewhere.
- FMP = Find My Past, a subscription family history records site.
- GR = Genes Reunited, a UK family tree site (owned by FMP).
- GRO = General Records Office, the place to order BMD certificates for England and Wales.
- IGI = International Genealogical Index. Cataloguing records from around the world, run by LDS. This is online at the familysearch website, and many of the actual records can be viewed at local/national LDS centres – now called Family Search Centers.
- LDS = Church of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons).
- MI = Memorial Inscription
- mn = maiden name.
- PR = parish register.
- TNA = The National Archives (for UK/England). There are Scottish and Irish versions – see Research Links page.
Names
Some common nicknames/pet names/short names/abbreviations in the family records. Wikipedia has some more, and derivations.
Male
Bob Robert
Bert Bertram, Albert, Hubert, Herbert, Cuthbert etc
Bill William
Frank Francis
Fred Alfred, Wilfred, Frederick
Harry Henry
Jack, Jno John, Jonathan
Female
Bessie, Betty: Elizabeth
Etty, Hettie: Esther
Fanny: Frances
Gertie: Gertrude
Lily: Lilian
Minnie: Wilhelmina or Mary
Nellie, Nell: Eleanor, Ellen or Helen
Peggy, Meg: Margaret
Polly, Molly: Mary
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