The following information supplements that on the Meeting Centres page.
What is the Library?
The Library consists of material collected
by the Sussex Family History Group for members to use when
researching their FAMILY HISTORY. If you are not a member of the Group and
would like to join, see the main menu for details.
Where is the The Family History Centre and Library?
In the Upstairs Room, St. Michael's
Church House, High Street, Lewes, which is near the "one way"
traffic lights on the High Street. The Town Clock, hanging over
the street, is on the building. (Do not send correspondence to this address.)
Thursday opening has been discontinued.
Details of Saturday opening times appear on the meeting centre page.
If in doubt, check the box to email .
Do I need to book?
No, but when demand is great it may be
necessary to limit the time on Fiche readers.
What do I need to bring?
Your membership number, pencil, notebook
and some details about the people you are searching for - names,
dates and places of birth etc. Any other information about
ancestors which will help with your research.
What is in the Library?
A library catalogue is available
(see Publications on the main menu.)
Some of the sources you can use at
The Family History Centre.
Parish Registers and other transcripts
for Christenings, Marriages and Burials, some being
indexed - an easy way to find entries. Entries should later be
checked in the original Register (or micro film or fiche) at the
appropriate County Record Office. Photocopies of original Parish
Registers are held for some East Sussex parishes.
Parish registers in slip form
Some photocopies are in slip form and filed alphabetically (please ask
Library helper if you wish to use these)
Marriage Licences
Details from these can often give you more information than the
entry in a transcript or on the IGI.
The I.G.I. (International Genealogical Index)
A computer index collated by the Church of
Latter Day Saints (Mormons) from filmed copies of Parish
Registers. The Index is on fiche, Christenings and Marriages are
listed alphabetically by county, this makes it possible to see
all the names of one spelling together. The index does not
include all parishes, it should be used as a guide, entries
should be checked against original register or fiche or film copy.
The Library fiche covers all counties in the British Isles. There
are also some fiche for overseas.
Census - The 1881 Census Index
covers all counties in England, Wales and the Channel
Isles. Names can be searched alphabetically by county and also 'as
enumerated' to see each household.
Census indexes for other years
The Library holds printed or fiche copies of indexes for 1841, 51,
61, 71, 81 and 91 for various Sussex places. There is an almost
complete run of indexes for East and West Sussex for 1851. There
are also microfilms of some 1851 and 1861 census, as listed.
Wills - Archdeaconry of Lewes and South Malling Wills on micro film
A search through the Lewes Wills Register 1680-1858 may find the ancestor or
relative whose Will provides useful information.
Directories and Lists
Kelly's and other directories can be very useful for
establishing where people lived, particularly if they were
shopkeepers, innkeepers or farmers etc. Sussex Kelly's in the
Library are for various years from 1862 to 1938. There are also
some professional directories.
Other lists
There are many names in lists such
Land Tax, Hearth Tax, Poll Books, Poor Law, and Settlement. Many of
our ancestors fell on hard times, there are many names and
parishes included in Catalogues of Settlement Orders & Cases
1661-1770.
Apprentices
There are lists of Sussex Apprentices and
Masters.
Family Histories and Pedigrees
You may well discover that
another member has already researched one of your family surnames
and has deposited notes in the Library.
Members' Interests
You can consult these and get in touch with another
member sharing your interest.
Monumental Inscriptions.
Transcriptions
of many Sussex churchyards and burial places, this is the work of
the Group MI Project. The inscription on a gravestone may include
useful information about an ancestor. (Some transcriptions may
have been removed for checking)
Services
This section of the
Library contains information on service in the Royal Navy, Army
and Royal Air Force. There are lists of casualties, names on War
Memorials and Muster Rolls.
Reference books and helpful booklets
The Library has a large collection of these, some to help
you with your Family History research and some to guide you when
using different types of records. Putting flesh on the bones (a
phrase much used by Family Historians, does not involve visiting
graveyards!!) The Library has additional information on many
Sussex places - church guides - Directories - Local History
publications, Sussex Record Society publications. These sources
can be used to find out more about your ancestors, where they
lived - how they earned their living, to make your Family History
more than just a list of names and dates.
What if I have no known Sussex Ancestors?
"Out of County" records are in a
separate section of the Catalogue. The IGI can be searched for
ancestors in all counties of the British Isles, the Channel
Islands and even some overseas countries. Use the fiche to find
likely ancestors to save time when visiting archives in other
counties when a more detailed search can be made. The 1881 Census
index enables you to search all counties in England, Wales, Scotland and
the Channel islands. There are census indexes and some Parish
Register transcripts for neighbouring counties, Kent, Surrey and
Hampshire and London.
When visiting The Family History
Centre - please:
Sign your name and enter your membership
number in the attendance book
Use only pencils for making notes
Inform the Library Helper of the material
you would like to use.
Assist the Library Helper if necessary,
to set up tables and chairs for your use
Help to store away tables, fiche readers
etc, at end of session
Please Note:
The items contained in the Library are
available for you to study on the premises. Items may not be
borrowed. Use the numbered markers when removing items from open
shelves, and ensure that the item is correctly replaced after use.
We must rely on the honesty of members to
replace all items after use; remember that others will also want
to make use of them.
No children under the age of 12 in the
Family History Centre, please.
There is a Toilet on the premises. Ask
Library helper for the key.
Prints of pages of fiche may be ordered. To
obtain prints by post please write to:
Mr. Eric Appleton, 147 Carden Avenue,
Patcham, Brighton, BN1 8NH
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