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Hello both
I thought you might be interested in my own experience of going back to parish records in Norfolk.
Most of my ancestors were Scottish but I found a 'Norfolk stray' (Mary Ann Dennis) in my family in the mid 19th century. She was married to a seafaring ancestor John Murray, of Elie in Fife. I traced her back to Burnham Overy, Norfolk, from the information on her death certificate of about 1860.
Realising I would have to visit Norfolk to find out more about her, I decided to spend a few days' holiday near the Burnhams (north west Norfolk, near the coast), which was a great place for a holiday, apart from anything else. I visited some of the relevant places and also spent a day at Norwich Record Office, which is an excellent resource. I was able to view the microfilmed parish registers for the parishes I was interested in, and from that I found not just my ancestor's birth and marriage but much more information about the family by reading back from the point where my ancestor was born through the previous records. Unfortunately (as with many parish records in my experience - a few exceptions for very lucky researchers!) the Burnham Overy records either don't go back beyond about the early 18th century or are illegible before that (can't remember which at this point).
While I was there I ordered up and looked through some other interesting material such as old maps etc which were also in the record office. It was all completely free and the staff were extremely helpful.
Hope this helps - although if you aren't within reach of Norfolk it may not, I'm afraid.
best wishes and good luck with your research.
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