In UK has anyone traced their family tree back further than 1763?

Question:

In UK has anyone traced their family tree back further than 1763?

How difficult is it. I dont know where to go from that date. Is it worth seeking the services of a professional?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've got back to 1680 on one branch of my family. I'm Scottish and many of our records are available on line, which makes it much easier and cheaper to research (using http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/... ).

In England and Wales you can use ancestry.co.uk, but you can't access the actual certificates - you have to buy them from http://www.gro.gov.uk/ and that costs ⣷ a time.

But I have managed to get back to 1736 on one branch of my husband's (English) family. Cost me a fortune! Plus I had help from other people on www.genesreunited.co.uk to get that far back because ancestry.co.uk only goes back to 1837.

The people who helped me trace back to 1736 were all folk who had gone to the local records office and library in Devon and got information there.

If you know where your ancestors lived, it might be worth phoning the local council for that area and asking them where their old records are held.

I don't know about the professionals. I'm sure some of them may be very good. But I'm told they can be expensive.

Before going down that road you should check whether there is a local genealogy society in the area where your ancestors lived. They would know the best ways to find information about families in their area. Some of these people are incredibly knowledgeable. I got in touch once with a lady in Tenby, Wales, and she sent me a huge family tree with lots of my husband's ancestors that she had found in the local library.

It's a tricky business, but absolutely fascinating when you get into it, don't you think?

My top find so far is a pirate called Foxy Ned (Edmund Scanes) who was my husband's great great grandfather. My children were thrilled to have a real pirate as an ancestor!

Well, I've wittered on long enough! I wish you all the best with your research. I hope you find what you're looking for.