Tracing your ancestry is a bit like being a detective in your own history. While paid subscriptions are popular, the UK is one of the best places in the world to research for free, thanks to extensive public archives and community projects. Here is a step-by-step guide to building your tree without spending a penny. … Read more
Unlocking your family’s past often leads to a uniform. Whether it’s a grandfather who served in the trenches of WWI or a distant ancestor who fought in the Napoleonic Wars, military records are among the most detailed and emotional documents you can find. In the UK, the “paper trail” is extensive, but it is spread … Read more
Census records are one of the most useful resources for genealogists researching families in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In England and Wales, the census has been taken every ten years since 1841. What Information Census Records Contain Census returns typically record: From 1851 onwards, census records became far more detailed and allowed researchers to … Read more
Researching ancestors before 1837 requires a slightly different approach because civil registration had not yet begun. Before 1837, parish registers were the main source of family history information. Read our guide on Where to Find Parish Records in Berkshire. Instead, genealogists rely on a variety of local and church records. Parish Registers The most important … Read more
Parish registers are one of the most important sources for tracing families before the start of civil registration in 1837. In Berkshire, many parish records survive and provide detailed information about baptisms, marriages and burials over several centuries. What Parish Registers Contain Church registers typically record: A baptism entry may include the child’s name, the … Read more
Introduction Tracing your family history can be a fascinating journey into the lives of the people who came before you. In the United Kingdom, a wide range of historical records survive that allow researchers to reconstruct family connections across many generations. Whether you are just beginning or have already gathered some information, the key to … Read more
A Beginner’s Guide to Family History Research in the UK Unlocking the Secrets of Your Ancestral Roots Are you curious about your family’s history? Do you wonder where your ancestors lived, what they did for a living, or how they lived their lives? If so, you’re not alone. Many people are drawn to the fascinating … Read more
Should I hire a Professional Genealogist? Introduction Embarking on a journey to trace your family’s roots is a truly rewarding endeavor, but it can also be a complex and time-consuming one. In an age where genealogical research tools and resources are at our fingertips, you might wonder if hiring a professional genealogist is worth the … Read more