Introduction to Family History

Ring 01722 716121 for a free genealogy catalogue

If you wish to research your family tree there are many books that can help. 'How to research your family history' by J.Watkinson and 'Ancestral Trails' by Mark D Herber are good starting points.

We have a wide range of books, charts and research aids available in the 'Books' section on this website.

If you are beginning your research it is wise to find as much from all living relatives, perhaps recording their recollections on tape or video. To record and organise the information about your ancestors choose a family history program. Roots Magic UK Edition has an 1898 atlas and 3-month online subscription to TheGenealogist.co.uk. Computers are now an essential part of research and a great aid to publishing the results. See the 'Software' and 'Data CD' sections of this website.

See our page on BBC South's Southern Ways for examples of how research can lead to fame and fortune in your ancestors lives.

Resource CDs cover Highwaymen, Smugglers to Landed Gentry. The more essential CDs give you access to Parish Records (1565-1930) and the UK Census (1841-1901). Online indexes give access to Birth Marriage and Death registration records from 1837 to 2005. See www.bmdindex.co.uk

There are many monthly magazines which will help you find out more available from major stores such as W.H.Smiths. Many family history magazines give comprehensive information about this fascinating hobby. It covers everything from historical social conditions to methods of researching. Good magazines are 'Family Tree', 'Your Family Tree', and 'Family History Monthly'.

'The Genealogist' has online census transcripts 1841-1911, directories, parish records, wills, and much more.

To search complete birth, marriage and death indexes 1837-2005, as well as information on ordering certificates, see BMDindex.co.uk.
For unlimited searching on BMDs, census 1841-1911, directories, parish records, wills, non-conformist records and more, see TheGenealogist.co.uk.

Other points of contact:

S&N and British Data Archive have been digitising a vast amount of records (UK Census, Parish Records, Criminal Registers, etc.) previously only available as fiche and publishing them on CD. You can find those in the 'Data CDs' section of this website. Tel 01722 716121

The General Register Office have records of Births, Marriages and deaths from 1837. These are indexed and copies of certificates can be ordered. Prior to this date you will need to research the local Parish records of baptisms, marriages and burials. These are normally held in the County archives.

The National Archives are based at Kew, they have Census records from 1841 to 1901 and have microfiche of some wills.

The Society of Genealogists, 14 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7BA has a large library of research material including pedigrees.

The Federation of Family History Societies can point you to a local U.K. group, The Administrator, c/o The Benson Room, Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret St, Birmingham, B3 3BS

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