This is for Virginia - You will find tons of names and death, birth and marriage information on familysearch.org, but if you want valid, documented information, it is important to find the original parish, county, etc. records and make photo copies when you find your own people. That way, you can prove to yourself and others that they really existed when and where other people have purported them to be, and that they are connected to you without question. Also, finding the original records will help you determine what people did for a living, where they lived, and many other small details that may not be included on the internet information you find. Documentation is as important in genealogy as "location" is in real estate! I've been doing research for close to 50 years, and this is my humble opinion. Annie in Idaho USA (visited England for the first time in April, and LOVE Yorkshire and it's folk) Ann Pettijohn Tomlinson annt51@cableone.net

One more important thing the reels show is where the person is from. That can be a very important clue on where to look for them next. Here is how the microfilm can help piece together parts of a puzzle. I needed to look at the reels for my Henry Ward West. On his marriage certificate, it said that his father was George Ward, not George West. The mother's name was not listed. I found one Henry West, son of Frances West, no father listed, on the IGI, baptised in Pickering, where the 1851 census says he was born, that matched his age, in 1823. The index tells me nothing about why there is no father listed. It also looked like he could be part of another family of Robert West and Frances, as he fit nicely into the birth order for those children. Looking at the reels, I found the first child of Robert West and Frances born in 1815, on the same page as a child christened to George Ward and Mary. Quite a lucky find, maybe. The marriages for the year follow the baptisms, and the marriage was there for Robert West and Frances Hall about 10 months before the child was born. The following year, 1816 there is a burial for Mary Ward, 27 years old, possibly the wife of the George Ward I saw on the page with Robert and Frances. Since I was printing out all Ward and West listings, beginning with the first child born to Robert and Frances, I know that George did not remarry before Henry was born in 1823, of course, providing this is the same George. Henry's baptism reads like this: July 15th No 830 Henry son of Frances West Pickering (listed under abode) single woman. It also tells me the vicar that baptised him is the same one who baptised Robert and Frances children, up to this point, so if Frances lied and said she was single, the vicar went along with her lie. It is likely that Frances West is really a single woman. In December of the same year, George Ward of Pasmgwold(?) marries Ann Foster, of this parish, Licence with consent of those required, by the same vicar. I will need to find the marriage of George and Mary to see if both Georges are from the same place. You can't see the sequence of events as clearly looking at the IGI as you can looking at the film. One more brief example. My William Holmes is supposed to be born to Matthew Holmes and Rebecca Cooper June 18, 1820, according to his death certificate. Since it was in the USA, it only says he was born in England, as it does for his parents, so not much help. I find one Matthew Holmes and Rebecca Cooper on the IGI, but the marriage is nearly 3 years after William is born. I ordered this reel to see if I could learn anything more. Matthew Holmes of Towthorpe of the Parish of Wharram Percy and Rebecca Cooper of this parish were married in this church by licence... So, now I know that Matthew is from Towthorpe and that is a very small community. I may be able to find him, Rebecca and William in the census in that small town. Anyhow, I have information that the IGI did not provide that can help me prove or disprove this relationship. Anyhow, hope this helps some. Renee