Question 2 - Eileen Cusimano, Los Angeles, USA
My great-grandmother's father is recorded on her marriage certificate simply as 'John Reid, Gentleman'. Can you tell me what that might mean? I presume it doesn't just mean that he was well-mannered, and I suspect it doesn't imply he was of noble birth. Can you suggest what 'a gentleman' meant in the mid-nineteenth century?

Answer - Nick
'Gentleman' is a fairly loose term to suggest someone of upper middle class background with perhaps higher aspirations; though many people described themselves as such, who actually came from more humble backgrounds. For example in the 'Who Do You Think You Are?' series, Sue Johnston's great grandfather was listed in the 1901 census as gentleman, but was a retired hotel-keeper who had started his working life as a railway porter living in one of the poorest districts of Carlisle. You could call yourself what you wanted! In general though, you would expect a 'Gentleman' to come from the professional classes, and be living on their own means from the profits of finance or inherited wealth, or maybe even from a landed income.

Question 3 - Petrina Stevens, Buckinghamshire
I want to find a birth certificate for about 1800. However these earlier certificates are not available online. How do I go about it? Did they have certificates as early as this or do I need to look at parish records? How do I search parish records if I do not know the parish?

Answer - Nick
There are no certificates before 1837, which was when civil registration was introduced into England and Wales. You would have to use parish records to find your ancestor's baptism. If you are unsure of the parish, try to locate your ancestors in census records and use their place of birth as a clue to the possible place of baptism. If that fails, extend your search to neighbouring parishes or, in the case of an urban birth, all parishes within that city.

Question 4 - Lisa Cherrett, Highworth
My husband's grandfather was born illegitimate. He was registered with his mother's surname at birth in 1896, but was using a different surname (his father's, we suspect) by the time he went to war in 1914. He appears on the 1901 census under his original name. Can you suggest how I might be able to find out when he changed the name?

Answer - Nick
Sadly, most changes of name will forever remain unobtainable. In effect, you can call yourself what you wish without recourse to legal documentation, but a formal change of name was usually acheived by deed poll, with the individual taking the document away with them and the solicitors creating paperwork in their office that was usually not retained. Only if the person wished to enroll the change of name in the high court might the record survive; the index volumes are at The National Archives, but this process was rarely considered except in extreme wartime due to its prohibitive cost. You could try local papers, as people sometimes advertised their change of name, whilst during the war there were limited requirements for changes of name to be publicised in the London Gazette.

Question 5 - Chris Morgan, Hampshire
I have a marriage certificate of 1888 in which the entry in the given profession and trade column of both fathers is 'Deceased' and no trade is given. I have a second marriage certificate for a Henry Morgan which is dated January 27 1847. Henry Morgan's father is stated as Samuel Morgan and his trade coalminer. Does this mean that he was alive at the time of the marriage on January 27 1847? I ask the question since there are two candidate Samuel Morgans for Henry Morgan's father, one of whom I know died in 1846.

Answer - Nick
Whilst the absence of 'deceased' in the father's profession column is usually a strong indication that they were still alive, this was not always the case; I have wasted many research hours on this logical assumption, only to find the death a couple of years before the marriage. As with any piece of evidence on any official document, it is only as accurate as the information provided at the time it was created.

Question 6 - Ann Wood, West Yorkshire
I am trying to trace my grandfather, James Griffiths, in a place called Hope Flintshire. A kind gentleman sent me an image for the 1871 census but I now need the 1851 census to find out who James' mother was. Where could I have a search done or purchase the 1851 census and parish records for Hope Flintshire?

Answer - Nick
Have you tried the relevant county record office for further information? They should hold duplicate census records and most probably the relevant parish records too. In addition, they may even have a range of transcripts and indexes available to speed the process up. However, many county record offices simply do not have the resources to undertake searches for members of the public so they may offer you a paid research service or put you in touch with a record agent who can conduct the search on your behalf.

Question 7 - Dawn Pollard, South Yorkshire
I am tracing my family tree and have got back to 1562.  I am also doing 3 other family trees for friends and I would like to know if there are any courses to learn to be a genealogist. I am doing a Saturday workshop for beginners, but I would like to learn more.

Answer - Nick
You are likely to find a range of courses available - though it sounds as though you have already surpassed the beginners level! Adult Education courses in your local area are perhaps the best place to start looking, though there is a range of similar educators available such as WEA (Workers Educational Association). You can even get NVQs in genealogy. However for the best range of options, you should perhaps contact your nearest Family History Society, who themselves might provide training and education.