Joint Photographic Experts Group. Format used to store photographs and pictures on computers.

Genealogical Data Communication. Specification of a file format for storing and exchanging hierarchically tagged data in general, and specific definition for Lineage-Linked genealogical data. GEDCOM was originated by the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) but has now developed into a standard used by genealogists and genealogical computer programs.

A traditional administrative unit in all parts of the UK, they now only fulfil that role as the higher tier of those parts of England retaining a two-tier local authority structure. The boundaries of the old metropolitan counties are still recognised however and many traditional counties are still referred to in common parlance and for ceremonial purposes, as well as in the names of some current unitary administrations.

The registration district in which the person was born/married/died. Districts are subdivisions of counties.

The PRO archival reference used to identify an individual census image. The reference will be in the form HO107 Piece: 509 Folio: 26.

The Public Record Office is the national archive of England, Wales and the United Kingdom. It brings together and preserves the records of central government and the courts of law, and makes them available to all who wish to consult them. The records span an unbroken period from the 11th century to the present day.

he reference needed to order a certificate from the General Register Office. The reference comprises the name, year, quarter, registration district, volume and page number. For example Fred Finney, Dec or 4th quarter,1893,Newport, 6a, 730.

The General Register Office for England and Wales (GRO) is responsible for ensuring the registration of all births, marriages and deaths that have occurred in England and Wales since July 1837 and for maintaining a central archive.

Another word for a computer offering services on the Internet. When an Internet service provider (ISP) gives you space for your web site on their computer they are said to be the ‘host’ of your web site.

Every computer on the Internet has a numerical address (e.g. the IP address of one of the BBC’s computers is 38.160.150.31). To make this easier for us humans to remember web sites are usually given a name so they can be found easily (e.g. www.bbc.co.uk). This is known as a ‘domain name’.