This issue’s theme is crime & criminal records

Wel come

Discover the rich records of the golden era of family history, as we trace our ancestors from the Victorian age. Reflect on your roots and sense of identity. And make use of 25 fabulous free resources to learn more about your kin. Find all this and more in Family Tree...

A new royal baby... 200 years ago

The birth 200 years ago of little Princess Alexandrina Victoria was barely mentioned in the press of the time, yet she grew up to be the ruler of Britain and its Empire. Ruth A Symes looks closely at Queen Victoria’s early life through a family historian’s eyes as we celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of a global icon

The golden era of family history

The Victorian period is rich for family historians, when the state took record-keeping of our ancestors’ lives very seriously. Family historian Chris Paton guides us through the era’s key records to help you strike gold in researching your 19th century kin in the time of Queen Victoria

THE QUEST FOR ROOTS

Where we were born and live often affects our sense of identity, but DNA tests are transforming the genealogy landscape when it comes to working out who we are and where we came from. Dr Penny Walters explains how she embarked on a family history journey with her children, whose grandfather came from Jamaica, using traditional and modern techniques to help them find their place in the world

Famliy tree

It’s time to spring into action and get yourself along to Alexandra Palace for the first-ever Family Tree Live show. That’s two days absolutely jam-packed full with family history learning, fun and shopping opportunities. We can’t wait to see you there – have a read and get a taste of what there is to look forward to

A Compassionate Voice John Langdon Down & the Normansfield Hospital

We tend to think of the Victorians as having little time for those with any form of disability. This includes what today we would recognise as cognitive or learning impairments. In the course of his work as a professional researcher, Mike Sharpe stumbled on the story of a medical pioneer and man with a heart who sought to make a difference

How to do family history on a shoe-string

Delve deeper into the past, get a little more organised, and have family history fun without spending a fortune using our round-up of essential free family history websites. Read on to discover some handy apps, software and resources to help you do just this, bl@with Helen Tovey

DNA dilemmas & delights

DNA doesn’t have all the answers, but to deny yourself a test is to miss out on a wealth of new discoveries… Debbie Kennett weighs up what’s really possible with a DNA test, what to watch out for, and what you can look forward to

Unit topic: crime & criminal records

Some of the earliest records held by our national and

NEWS

New scientific and genealogical findings into the crew

Everyone has a story!

Susie Douglas, founder of Twitter’s #AncestryHour, introduces Crack the Code, which the team will be manning at Family Tree Live

Ruby, Rubie, Reuby

Surname super-sleuth organisation – the Guild of One-Name Studies – celebrates its Ruby anniversary this year. Helen Tovey chatted to one-namer Paul Howes, about a gem of a surname project that members of the Guild have undertaken to mark this special 40th

Twiglets

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

Glamorgan Family History Society / Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluol Morgannwg

If you have Glamorgan ancestors, the use of common surnames could prove a challenge to your research. The expert assistance provided to members of Glamorgan Family History Society could just help set you on the right track, explains Sue Hamer

Books

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

DIARY DATES

From 1 May e-Courses Online: Pharos Tutors has ive

Your letters

Readers share their research worries, tips and lucky finds...

YOUR ADVERTS

•YOUR RESEARCH written up in an illustrated family

Spring will have sprung

Diane Lindsay tucks up cosy while she pens this month’s thoughts, and remembers her Yorkshire rellies telling her not to be so ‘nesh’

Men of the colth

If your ancestor was an Anglican clergyman then there are many ways to trace his career, as Simon Wills explains

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

WEBSITE Q&A

This issue web guru Paul Carter answers a Family Tree reader’s query and provides advice that every family history website owner can learn from... plus offers the chance to win your very own family history website!

What was The Lady with the Lamp’s family name?

Nick Thorne looks looks at how the father of the most famous of nurses had changed their surname

Taken a DNA test? Now what?

DNA tests grow ever more popular and can lead to fascinating new insights about your ancestry – but initially the results can be bewildering. Help is at hand, however, 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 hobby, you can still learn in your lunch break! Squeeze just 60 minutes of family history into your daily routine and you’ll soon start to see your tree blossom. It’s time to tuck into Rachel Bellerby’s genealogy treats

HISTORY OF SURNAMES

In her ongoing series, Julie Goucher explains the history of surnames, which are the building blocks of a surname study

Your questions answered

With our panel of experts Jayne Shrimpton, Steven Smyrl, David Annal, Tim Lovering, and Christine Wibberley