Family tree

**bigmac** · 17th July 2010, 11:32

Has anyone used any programs (legit) or any sites to research their family tree ?
Ive been doing a bit of digging and its hard work as it seems everyone was called Donald MacDonald on North uist
My Grandad and His dad were all called Donald and if i search the records back it seems every boy born was called Donald lol

Ive found out that or Clan crest and tartan is MacDonald of sleat so thats handy for when me and the misses finaly think its time to Wed after 23 yrs

**the_wave_rider** · 17th July 2010, 12:32

Genes reunited got back to early 1600,s on both sides of the family and then you,ll end up talking to people you have never heard of who are distant relations and swap birth certs, death, marriage certs. Even had one lady send me a newspaper article about my great great grandad who committed a murder. Very interesting and addictive once you get into it!

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/home/default.aspx
http://www.ukbmdsearch.org.uk/
http://www.1911census.co.uk/

**DaveG** · 17th July 2010, 13:48

I have traced my family back to the 1600’s and utilise the s/w package “Family Tree Maker” to record the info'.

There’s an extract of my files on-line at:
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com...ndex.html#edit

Presuming you are a complete beginner I suggest you play with this free search from LDS first.
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Sear...earch_all1.asp

Then probably the best site for you is:-
http://www.scotsorigins.com/
You have to buy “credits” but after playing with the LDS you will have a clearer idea of what you're doing and if you are selective with your searches it is not expensive. (I believe the indexes on this site were originally created from the LDS data.)

Lastly if you want to do more this site is excellent but a bit overwhelming:-
http://www.cyndislist.com/

Good luck in your endeavours,
Dave

**bigmac** · 17th July 2010, 13:59

Cheers Guys

**Big Knox** · 17th July 2010, 16:43

keep us posted on how you get on bigmac. thought about doing this but seemed like a lot of work lol

**bigmac** · 17th July 2010, 17:07

Its a bit hard coz the name im searching is very common in North uist as its MacDonald through and through dating way back and MacDonald means son of Donald

so i have to try and look at original documents to try and find names of parents and a lot of sites charge a fair price for this

**Big Knox** · 17th July 2010, 17:12

you sought information from you own family in case anyone has done some of this before?

**bigmac** · 17th July 2010, 17:14

The one's i know about and have contact with yes

**the_wave_rider** · 18th July 2010, 14:31

One of the major probs I have had is the spelling of the surname I have come across atleast a dozen ways it has been spelt and that has taken extra time to race back and ensure it is a family member. Also another thing I have found is people were called XYZ when in fact their name was ABC so you end up looking for XYZ spend a week come across ABC XYZ and find they used their middle name all their life.

It is very time consuming but well worth it. If you get stuck or need a hand just give me a shout if I can,t find it my ex will she does geneology ;-)