In a message dated 25/02/2004 11:19:37 GMT Standard Time, relder@tiscali.co.uk writes: > When filling in places names where family were born or died etc in > 1800/1900 do you put down as I.E Birtley Co Durham or Birtley Tyne &Wear, or > Cumberland/ Cumbria or does it not really matter as the Boundary may change at a > later date. It is just that the census show them as the old names. Just a thought It is all a matter of personal taste, but I always take the attitude that the "place" where something happened was the "place" as it would have been known at the time. I therefore do not use modern names such as Tyne and Wear, Cumbria, Cleveland etc for any events before 1974, and I think you will find that most of those who are active and experienced in this field would agree with me. Geoff Nicholson 57 Manor Park, Concord, WASHINGTON, Tyne & Wear NE37 2BU NBL/DUR family history research in depth by THE local expert. Record searching service: you name the records, I search them!