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
Genealogy for beginners
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
Understanding Scottish and Irish maiden names
We have all struggled to track a female ancestor or wondered why the same names appear over and over again in our family tree. Scottish and Irish naming traditions can … Understanding Scottish and Irish maiden namesRead more
A guide to Scottish BMD records
If you’re tracing your Scottish ancestors, one of the best places to start is with BMD records, that’s short for births, marriages, and deaths. These official records offer the key … A guide to Scottish BMD recordsRead more
What’s in a Scottish parish record? A beginner’s guide
If you’re researching Scottish ancestors from before 1855, parish records will likely be your best (and sometimes only) source of information. But what exactly is a parish record, and what … What’s in a Scottish parish record? A beginner’s guideRead more
What is a ‘brick wall’ in genealogy and how to break through it
Every family history researcher hits a frustrating point when a record, a person, or an entire branch of the family tree seems to vanish without explanation. You’ve checked the census, … What is a ‘brick wall’ in genealogy and how to break through itRead more
Start with what you know: The easiest way to begin your family tree
So you want to build a family tree? Well you’re officially a budding genealogist. But before you go signing up for twenty different genealogy sites or diving into census records … Start with what you know: The easiest way to begin your family treeRead more