With more than 30,000 databases, Ancestry is a very useful resource but can be overwhelming. This guide will help you narrow your search to just Somerset records, do an effective search within the records, show you how to read through the registers in e-reader mode, and point out some of the other useful resources on Ancestry.com.

Narrowing your search

Start by clicking on ‘New Collections’. This takes you to ‘Card Catalog’ which is a list of all the databases on Ancestry.

Type in ‘Somerset’ into the Title box, and ‘Trust’ into the Keyword box, then click the orange ‘SEARCH’ button. You will see the number of databases reduce to just a handful.

You can now choose which database suits your research. They are:

• Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 (also includes marriage licences, 1581-1753, under 'Various' in the parish list)
• Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914
• Church of England Burials, 1813-1914
• Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914
• Gaol Registers, 1807-1879
• School Registers, 1860-1914

Searching the databases

Start with a simple search, without giving too much information. Complex searches can sometimes weed out entries that might have been useful, and you can always narrow your search later.

Although Ancestry has transcribed and indexed the Somerset registers, because of the condition of the originals and the variations in handwriting and spelling, a search will not always be successful. If this happens, it can be helpful to read through the register yourself.

Reading the registers

On the right-hand side, drop down the Parish menu and click on your parish. Ancestry will display the date ranges available for that parish, each of which corresponds to a volume; select the one which fits your research.

You will be taken to an e-reader mode, starting with the front cover of the register. The filmstrip at the bottom allows you to navigate between the pages, and the toolbar on the right allows you to zoom in and out, turn each individual page, and to print.

Other useful resources on Ancestry

• UK Census collection
• UK Poll Books
• Civil Registration Indexes
• Medal Roll Index Cards
• Passenger & Shipping lists
• Commonwealth War Graves Index & Rolls of Honour

A full list can be viewed and narrowed in Card Catalogue.