Well my logic is - it is much more easier to move around so location would be a problem, changing occupation more frequently, mutiple so called daddies, the vast amount of names on databases, these are just a few things that come to mind when i think it will be really difficult.
but also, poplulation growth, example with are looking for a rellie now and find a possible 12 and in 50 years we search for a rellie and have a possible 200 to decide from, If you think long and hard about this surely it will be harder.
Although in view of your last comment - yes it will get more complicated, especially those tracing the dysfunctional, single mother with several kids from several different fathers....
I suppose if National Insurance numbers ever come on line (historically, I mean) then it may be easier.
But I think it will get more difficult...my bad girls all lived in little villages and the Vicar recorded the names of the reputed fathers of their children and these were almost certainly the correct fathers as you couldn't get up to much in a little village without someone knowing about it.
Anyone who tries to trace me in 200 years time will have a job - I have lived in two different countries, nine different counties, over 20 different addresses, have changed my occupation radically several times and have had two married surnames. I have also lied about my age both privately and officially, lol.
In the immediate future, for people who have been doing their trees a while, it will get easier and/or more interesting as more online records become available.
For those who are just beginning and perhaps don't know much about their grandparents and great-grandparents, things will get easier when the 1911 census comes out, bridging the gap between the 1901 census and the date mums maiden names came onto the GRO indexes. Things will be easier for them too.
But for those who are not yet born and will want to do their trees, I think for some things will be a lot harder, because of the general breakdown in family structure and the amount people move around (both the country and the world).......
I agree with Merry, inspite of the wealth of online resources you do have to have some idea where to look.
I have two examples of causing confusion in my own family. Son married 3 times, #1 in Gibralter, probably not too difficult as in the army, no children.
#2 in USA whilst on hols, after first child, just before second. #3 no probs, in UK before the 2 children.
When I married for the second time I insisted that I marry in my maiden name as taking ones husbands name is not compulsory only convention & my maiden name will always be my name.
TNA is taking electronic capture seriously, but not everyone else is. So many of the useful corroborative records will be:
in a form that's unreadable
degraded, so only bits remain
not kept or overwritten
1% sample only kept
Phoenix - with charred feathers Researching Skillings from Norfolk, Sworn from Salisbury and Adams in Malborough, Devon.
I keep thinking of my census return for the 2001 and the confusion that may cause in later years!
In my house that night was me, OH and my son (we all have different surnames!) plus ex husband's sister, who was married by then so had a different surname again, despite being recorded as my sister in law, and a school pal of my son!
Best mate's son - whose name might as well be John Smith - has a mobile phone, beds down on mates' floors and does casual work. Of course, there is currently a credit card/dvla trail but I doubt whether future generations will have access to such things. Or that the details he supplies are ever accurate or up to date.
Phoenix - with charred feathers Researching Skillings from Norfolk, Sworn from Salisbury and Adams in Malborough, Devon.
I have found loads of info using Parish Records on micro fiche at the local study centre, especially the baptism records. How many people have their children baptised these days.......not many I know! I don't think I would have got far without these baptism records. I have found babies that were born and died in infancy that no one even knew existed in the first place
I think research will be harder for people in years to come.
Lesley
On the one hand, the internet, the vast amount of transcribing and material available (all the censuses, being able to download Wills in seconds, etc) makes some of it easier.
But the sheer volume of the population, plus all the trends against marriage, or for serial marrying/partners, surrogate pregnancy etc makes things more complex.
On the other hand, if you find a disc with details of your ancestor's national insurance number, child benefit number, children, address etc you might be in luck!
On the other hand, if you find a disc with details of your ancestor's national insurance number, child benefit number, children, address etc you might be in luck!
Only if all the recipients have been totally truthful with the Benefits agency about their circumstances.
Same goes for census information if they ever make current ones available.
I'd guess they'll be several thousands of missing men who are actually residing with girlfriends but can't own up to it because girlfriend is claiming an allowance for being a single parent. I have my doubts as to whether they would have been included on the census returns.
And all these men that lead double lives with two wives at opposit eneds of the country. If I recall census are now done on who "normally resides" at the address not just who is there on that specific date.
And then you'll have people that take as gospel some of the poorly researched trees they will find online and think that's their tree sorted for them.
And in 100 years time how many people are going to be on forums like this asking if they can get access to Jedi records as their ancestor's religion was Jedi Knight?
And there's children born to single parents who are adopted by or take a step-parents name. That's near on impossible to find out about. My half sister didn't find out until her wedding that the surname she used all her life wasn't her real surname.
The last few generations have really come up with some fantastic ways to make future research nearly impossible.
Zoe in London
Cio che Dio vuole, io voglio ~ What God wills, I will
I do wonder how people will find our family in the future, as my son was premature, born at a specialist hospital away from where we lived. He missed both the 1981 and 1991 census as we were stationed in Germany with the RAF. Hence we will be "missing" for 20 years!!
More on-line records will be helpful, but will official records be available with all the concern about data protection?
I would love to be around in a hundred years time just to find out!:D
Helen
Support the S.O.P.H.I.E. campaign, Stamp Out Predudice Hatred + Intolerance Everywhere.
I think it will be easier for future generations to research historical records, with more and more going online, but I think when it comes to future generations researching the 1950's onwards I think it will be more difficult
Lots of single families, much easier to travel, and many more difficulties we are throwing in the works all the time....... Well our ancestors haven't made it too easy for us, so why should we for our decendants;)
In the unlikely even anyone would want to trace me in 100 years time I will be easy to find I think. Lived in same county all my life (within about 15 miles!). Only had 5 addresses. Only worked at 5 companies and never married. Also told truth on census.
However, I think anyone viewing late 20th century and 21st century censuses should take the information with a large pinch of salt lol. I think people these days often have no respect for authority and have a 'why should I?' attitude, hence the reference above to occupation Jedi Knight lol.
So I would say harder in that respect and also the lack of marriages (me included lol) and baptisms..
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