| Genealogy Acronyms | |
|---|---|
| Explanation of the often used short names for genealogy organisations and terms. | |
| AGRA | Association of Genealogists & Record Agents - professional genealogists in the UK who abide by a common Code of Practice. |
| ASGRA | Association of Scottish Genealogists & Record Agents - professional genealogists in Scotland who abide by a common Code of Practice. |
| AUGRA | Association of Ulster Genealogists & Record Agents |
| BigR | British Isles Genealogical Register - A register of research interests published by the FFHS, the BigR is an aid to located other researchers who share similar surname interests. |
| BL | British Library - The national library of the United Kingdom. It houses substantial collections of materials relevant to family history research. Visit BL |
| BTs | Bishops' Transcripts - Copies of the annual entries into the parish registers were to be sent to the local Bishop from about 1598. For some parishes, the BTs have survived while the original parish registers have been lost. Be aware that these are copies of the originals and not the originals themselves. In parishes where both the original registers and the BTs exist, a wise researcher will consult both. |
| CLRO | County of London Record Office |
| CRO | County Record Office |
| FFHS | Federation of Family History Societies - The umbrella organization to which most UK family history societies (over 220) belong, FFHS' aims are to co-ordinate and assist the work of societies or other bodies interested in family history, genealogy and heraldry. |
| FHC | Family History Centre (of LDS), also known as FHL (FH Library), Network of about 3,500 centers world-wide provide access to the loanable materials of the Family History Library. Usually found in association with an LDS church, these centers are usually staffed by LDS volunteers who can assist you in your research endeavors. They are open to all with no preaching! Find Center |
| FHLC | Family History Library Catalogue (see FHC) |
| FHS | Family History Society (see FFHS) |
| FRC | Family Records Centre - At Myddleton Place in London, it combines the public search rooms of the ONS' General Register Office (indexes for births, marriages, and deaths back to 1837) formerly at St. Catherine's House with the census and wills rooms of the Public Record Office formerly in Chancery Lane. Visit FRC |
| FTM | Family Tree Maker - The biggest selling software packages for genealogy. However, will only publish web sites to FTM's own site and will NOT produce HTML for your own use! |
| GEDCOM | A standardised file format used for transferring genealogy information between different software packages and computers. (GEnealogy Data COMmunications) |
| GOONS | Guild of One-Name Studies - This society helps co-ordinate one name studies - research into particular surnames irregardless of pedigree. For example, a one name study may be collecting all the occurrences of the THATCHER surname whether they are related or not. Visit GOON |
| GRD | Genealogical Research Directory - published annually and consists of hundreds of thousands of surname interests submitted from around the world. It's main use is to locate other researchers with similar surname interests. |
| GRO | General Register Office - A part of the Office for National Statistics, the GRO is responsible for the recording of births, marriages, and deaths in the England & Wales since 1837. It is to the GRO you should apply to for certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates. Visit GRO |
| IGI | International Genealogical Index - Developed by the LDS (Mormon) Church's Family History Department, the IGI is a finding aid for millions of individuals. Originally on microfiche, then on CD-ROMs at your local Family History Centers. View Links |
| IHGS | Institute of Heraldic & Genealogical Studies - provide classes for family history and heraldry. Their library is extensive and they publish both books and periodicals to aid the researcher. Visit IHGS |
| IRCs | International Reply Coupons |
| LDS | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Often referred to as the Mormons, members of this denomination have a religious obligation to research their ancestors. Because of this, the LDS church has developed the largest single repository of genealogy information in the world at their Family History Library. It is available to everyone, both LDS and non-LDS. |
| LMA | London Metropolitan Archives |
| MIs | Monumental Inscriptions - Those remembrances inscribed on the tombstones of our ancestors. MIs are often recorded by the local Family History Society or other organization. |
| ONS | Office of National Statistics - The ONS is responsible for the conduct of the English and Welsh censuses and, through it's GRO branch, for the registration of all births, marriages, and deaths since 1837. Visit ONS |
| PAF | Personal Ancestral File - The computer software package put out by the LDS church, PAF probably has more users than any other genealogy software. |
| PRO | Public Record Office - The Public Record Office is the repository of the national archives for England, Wales and the United Kingdom. They are the keepers of the nation's records back to the Domesday book of 1086. Visit PRO |
| SH | Somerset House |
| SoG | Society of Genealogists - Society for the study of genealogy and family history in the United Kingdom. They have a library in London, an online bookshop, and produce many publications for serious researchers. Visit SoG |
| Genealogy Abbreviations & Terminology | |
|---|---|
| General genealogy terms you may come across. | |
| b. | Born |
| banns | Public announcement of an intended marriage, generally made in church. This used to be a legal requirement within England. |
| bmd | Birth/Marriage/Death |
| bp. bpt. | Baptised |
| bu. bur. | Buried |
| c. ca. | About or around, from the Latin word circa |
| C of E | Church of England - The official state church of England, also known internationally as the Anglican or Episcopal church. Since the late 1500s, the Church of England was required by the state to maintain various records on its local parishioners - essentially the entire population due to its status as the only officially-recognized church. Thus it is to the local parish records which family historians turn for research purposes. The vast majority of genealogically-relevant records generated by the C of E are now in the various Record Offices throughout the country. Visit C of E |
| cem. | Cemetery |
| Chapman Codes | The three letter abbreviations used for each county in the United Kingdom prior to the 1974 Boundary Changes. View Codes View Map |
| filius | Son (in latin) |
| Genealogy | The study of family ancestries and histories |
| GR | Genes Reunited |
| pater | Father (in latin) |
| R.C. | Roman Catholic |
| Testate | Died leaving a valid will |
| Tithe | In English law, the tenth part of one's annual increase paid to support noblemen and clergy; amount of annual poll tax |
| vidua | Widow (in latin) |
| viduus | Widower (in latin) |
| Vital records | Birth, marriage, and death records. (bmd) |