I firmly believe that family history isn’t just something that sits on a shelf, to be taken down and dusted off now and again. As I’m sure most of you will heartily agree, it’s part of each and every one of us, in our blood. And as you turn the pages of this issue it’s just stunning to see the so many intriguing and varied ways that our family stories weave through our lives. Whether you’re on a mission to find out about Norman history, and perhaps hit the jackpot with a link to an ancestor who ‘came over with The Conqueror’. Or on a quest to understand where you came from and pinpoint that sense of belonging. Or a journey to mend the pieces of a fragmented family. I hope you enjoy the smashing articles and advice from our experts and authors this issue – including of course our Academy challenges and DNA know-how – and that they will inspire and help you find out more about your own family’s tale through time.