Counting the Rennies

Welcome

Discover how to transform your approach to your ancestral research; plus, master a simple strategy for writing up your family history…

Ways to write your family history in 1,000 words

Writing up our family history is something that many

NEWS

Karen Clare reports on the latest genealogy news. Got a story to share? Email editorial@family-tree.co.uk

Perfect time for a tour!

Susie Douglas, founder of Twitter’s popular #AncestryHour, looks forward hitting the road for a spot of family history in the great outdoors

Find your Irish family records online

Many family history enthusiasts fear Irish research is too difficult because of the destruction of records during Ireland’s Civil War in 1922. In fact, the exciting upsurge in digital projects in recent years has made the task easier and enjoyable for those with roots in the Emerald Isle. Chris Paton takes us on a tour of the key records and websites that are transforming the island’s genealogical landscape

TOP TIPS FOR EXCELLENT FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

Brush up your family history skills, with professional researcher Susie Douglas’s ideas and approaches to help you research smarter, circumvent brickwalls and hit the genealogy jackpot

A master mariner in the family

When Keith Gregson was given a unique collection of family documents relating to the life of a Victorian master mariner, he embarked on his own voyage of discovery…

Watts, Worts, Woorts & all!

Sophie Pigott relates how the disappearance of a family surname she was researching was explained by a local accent…

All the fun of Family Tree

The first ever Family Tree Live at Alexandra Palace

Lunar tales

Charlotte Soares waxes lyrical about the moon as she explores its magnificent power in life, language and legend

My family tree in 1,000 words

Love to write up your family history but at a loss about where and how to begin? Susie Kearley set herself the challenge of penning her family history in exactly 1,000 words… and the results are warm and engaging. Read her story and see if you can do it too!

Books

Karen Clare takes a look at some new titles of interest in the world of family history

DIARY DATES

Find or post diary dates at www.family-tree.co.uk/Events

Your LETTERS

Thoughts on Family Tree Live, free websites and ideas for family history society meetings…

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

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Coming next in FamilyTree

• Identify eras through clothing, format & photography

Finding missing baptisms

Parish church registers are really useful records, particularly for taking you back before civil registration began, but it’s not always plain sailing. Bear in mind Simon Wills’ five key points to help you locate elusive baptism records for your ancestors

Twiglets

Diarist Gill Shaw charts the rollercoaster ride of researching her family history

Marriage matters

If your female ancestor came from a well-off enough family, you may find they signed prenuptial marriage agreements. Adèle Emm takes a closer look at These revealing records

Understanding freemason records

Susan Snell details the resources available for tracing freemason ancestors using the records of the Museum and Library of Freemasonry, where she is archivist and records manager

Discover The answers to last issue’s challenges How did you do?

Find out the answers to last issue’s Family Tree Academy challenges. Our Academy tutor David Annal explains all

Join he Family Tre Academy & become a skilled family historian

The Family Tree Academy is specially created to help you discover more about the records, resources and research skills you need to become the best genealogist you can be! Read on to join in with Family Tree Academy challenges

New Map Explorer reveals changing streets where our ancestors once lived

New Map Explorer reveals changing streets where our

Taken a DNA test? Now what?

DNA tests grow ever more popular and can lead to fascinating new insights about your ancestry. There is a lot to learn, but help is at hand with Karen Evans’ practical advice for making so much more sense of your DNA

The lunch hour genealogist

Being busy doesn’t mean you have to neglect your favourite

Spotlight on… the Family History Society of Cheshire

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Family History Society of Cheshire. David Smetham takes a look back at the past five decades and explains how the society can help anyone with roots in the county

ONE-NAME STUDIES

In her ongoing series, Julie Goucher explains the seven steps you need to take in order to accomplish your one-name study

FEATURED WEBSITE: CHIDDICKS FAMILY BLOG

This issue web guru Paul Carter explores a keen family history enthusiast’s blog, and encourages us all to give blogging a go (it’s easier to get started than you think!)

Your questions answered

With our panel of experts Jayne Shrimpton, Mary Evans, Tim Lovering, and David Frost