This beginner’s guide is your friendly roadmap to the world of genealogy. It gives you a big-picture overview of how to begin your family tree search, with helpful links to … Start your family tree: a beginner’s roadmapRead more
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You don’t need to be a writer to tell their story
When you start researching your family history, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the idea of writing your ancestors’ stories. “I’m not a writer,” you might think. “How could … You don’t need to be a writer to tell their storyRead more
Family history storytelling with photos, letters and even recipes
Family history is about more than just names and dates. It is about understanding the lives of the people who came before you, their experiences, traditions, and the small details … Family history storytelling with photos, letters and even recipesRead more
Help! My DNA matches don’t have trees
Getting your DNA results is exciting. You log in, see a list of people who share DNA with you, and can’t wait to explore your connections. But then you notice … Help! My DNA matches don’t have treesRead more
How to use FreeREG, FreeBMD and FreeCEN for UK records
If you are building your family tree on a budget, there are several key free UK genealogy websites: FreeREG, FreeBMD, and FreeCEN. These free resources provide access to millions of … How to use FreeREG, FreeBMD and FreeCEN for UK recordsRead more
How Poor Law Records helped me understand my ancestor’s story
You’ve hit a brick wall. You’ve found an ancestor on a census, but their life that brought them to that point is a complete mystery. You have a name, maybe … How Poor Law Records helped me understand my ancestor’s storyRead more
I took a DNA test… now what?
Your results have arrived. There’s a colourful map, a list of matches, and a lot of percentages. It’s exciting but also a bit overwhelming. Here’s how to make sense of … I took a DNA test… now what?Read more
How to organise your genealogy documents
If you have been researching your family history for even a short time, you will know how quickly the documents pile up. Birth certificates, census printouts, notes from websites, and … How to organise your genealogy documentsRead more
Should I take a DNA test?
You’ve probably seen many ads for DNA tests promising to unlock your ancestry. But what exactly do they do, and do you need one to trace your family tree? Here’s … Should I take a DNA test?Read more
Top 10 free genealogy websites for UK family history
If you are just starting your family history journey, the cost of subscription websites can feel overwhelming. The good news is that there are plenty of free resources that can … Top 10 free genealogy websites for UK family historyRead more
Unearthing Scotland’s hidden history of servitude
When you think about your Scottish ancestors, you probably imagine hardworking people in bustling communities. But did you know that many miners and salt workers in Scotland lived under a … Unearthing Scotland’s hidden history of servitudeRead more