Blitz bear joins unveiling of WW2 heritage trail

Welcome

As family history fans, new or long-standing, we all

‘War Detectives’ appeal to trace kin of WW1 soldier

Karen Clare reports on the latest genealogy news. Got

Guildhall takes leading role in 600th year

The 600th anniversary of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and

SPORTS Club creates rugby stand memorial

Ashbrooke Sports Club in Sunderland has renamed and

GEDmatch joins forces with forensic science firm

Genetic genealogy sharing site GEDmatch has partnered

Tying civil knots

Mixed-sex civil partnerships became legal in the UK

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Susie Douglas, the founder of Twitter’s #AncestryHour, looks back to the 1920s and forward to the coming decade…

YOUR FREE RECORDS

At Family Tree we’ve teamed up with UK family history

Gene Therapy

Graham S Holton and Alasdair F Macdonald explain the principles of DNA and how testing can benefit the genealogis

Which test is right for you?

DNA testing is revolutionising the genealogy world and has now become an essential tool in any family historian’s toolbox. There are several different tests and testing companies to choose from, however, and here professional genealogist and DNA detective Michelle Leonard will help you with making the correct choices

Medical DNA testing for family historians

DNA testing is a very well-established tool for family history research, but some of the companies now also provide health and trait reports. Debbie Kennett takes a look at how these newer tests can add to our knowledge

Getting involved in genetic genealogy projects

If you’re thinking of joining, or perhaps even starting, a DNA project, Iain McDonald has some useful advice to help you get the most out of the experience and be well prepared

Investigating Ancient DNA

The discovery of a skeleton in a car park in Leicester

FAMILY TREE LIVE 2020

Come and revel in the wonderful world of family history at Family Tree Live. It’s your chance to immerse yourself and take new steps to enrich your family tree research. From documents to DNA – what will you learn more about at this year’s show?

Solving crimes with DNA

The use of public DNA databases by criminal investigators has caused controversy in recent times, however, the positive outcomes can outweigh the concerns – and hobby genealogists can play their part in putting a bereaved family’s loved ones to rest. Dr Nicola Davies reports on the use of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases

Identifying Dad – 220 years on

Family historian Rebecca Rix reveals how she unveiled the identity of an 18th-century ‘base born’ baby’s father… then used DNA to prove it

What is DNA?

DNA analysis is an important tool in genealogy, but what actually is DNA? What does it look like, and how does it work? Simon Wills explores the science behind who we are, and explains why we are not identical to our ancestors or siblings

BECOME PART OF THE FAMILY TREE FAMILY!

Welcome to the Family Tree Subscriber Club. When you’ve joined Family Tree not only do you save money on your favourite family history read, you can also enter the ‘Subs Club’ competitions and offers – only available to subscribers to Family Tree

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

Record collection of the month

Katy Kavanagh, archivist at Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire

REASEARCH YOUR HOLOCOUST ANCESTORS

Jeanette Rosenberg provides a guide to researching members of your family who lived through or were murdered by the Nazis in World War II, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the death camps

RESEARCH & REMEMBER

will respond to written requests for information: see

Techy tips for family historians

Through the coming year, genealogy website specialist Paul Carter will be mentoring three lucky readers who submitted entries to the Family Tree ‘Win a website’ competition last summer. As they each work on creating their family history website with Paul, we hope these hints and steps will inspire you to create your own family history website too

Join The Family Tree 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 find out how join in with Family Tree Academy challenges

Researching at home

Researching your family history begins at home, and a bit of time spent establishing a firm base before you set out can prove immensely rewarding as your research progresses. David Annal takes you through those first steps to starting your family history

Documents In Depth - #1 Birth Certificate

Between 1 July 1837 and 30 March 1969, the information

Your Family Tree Academy Document Challenges

Now it’s time to put your research skills to the test.

Twiglets

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

Books

Karen Clare explores some of the latest reads of interest to family historians

Lost an ancestor in the census or BMDs? Try this to get back on track

Nick Thorne looks at an online resource to find elusive ancestors

Finding Leslie READER STORY

Linda Gough tells how, growing up with an absent mother and no knowledge of her father, Sheila Morton’s family history was a mystery – until a simple DNA test helped her connect with a birth family that very nearly never existed….

DIARY DATES

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

Your LETTERS

Brick walls smashed, coincidences occurring, & a few wise words about wills

Coming next in FamilyTree

• Latest versions of Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic

The Family Tree Notice Board

The fi rst step to encouraging your family and friends

Dotting the i

Diane Lindsay pops the detective hat back on to chase up a genealogical trail that’s gone cold… and eventually realises the clue’s in the small print

Your DNA Workshop

IT’S TIME TO UNLOCK THE STORY OF YOUR GENES

Spotlight on … the Virtual Genealogical Association

h2Amber Oldenburg and Jenny Hawran introduce one of

DNA & diplomacy

h2Genetic genealogy has opened up a brave new world

Get excited about your ancestors again!

h2Are you returning to family history after a break?

Your questions answered

With our experts Jayne Shrimpton and David Frost