Family Tree UK

Learn how to trace your family tree! Every issue is packed with: family history research advice hands-on learning experiences to help you become an ancestor super-sleuth & step-by-step guides to show you the path to tracing the past. From vintage documents to the latest in DNA, we’re here to help you discover more! Get the latest in genealogy news, software, books, archives and expert answers. Plus enjoy those reader stories that remind what it means to trace your family story. Research & remember your roots with Family Tree!

Got a family history brickwall? It’s time to smash it down!

MORE FROM US…

NEWS

Women making medical history: Celebrating 150 years of medical education • This October sees the 150th anniversary of the first classes held at the London School of Medicine for Women. Former student at the establishment, Paul Bingham reports.

Researching the SOCIAL & FAMILY HISTORY of unrelated cohorts • Unrelated yet linked cohorts have exciting potential for social and family history research. Such studies ensure that the less famous are not overlooked and gives context for individual ancestors. Paul Bingham and Paul Robinson demonstrate the potential by exploring the first 106 General Medical Council (GMC) registered women doctors.

LIVES ON THE OCEAN WAVES Tracing your mariner ancestors before 1914 • Genealogist and historical researcher Dr Nicholas Dixon gives us a fascinating insight into the records that can help us trace ancestors who spent their lives at sea

Dear Paul • This month, Paul Chiddicks takes another look at parish records, and reveals cases of incumbents betraying their frustrations with their parishioners

LIVES OF SERVICE RESEARCHING 19TH-CENTURY SOLDIERS • This month, Family Tree Academy tutor David Annal guides us through the record sets that we can use to piece together the lives and careers of our 19th-century army ancestors

BELLE OF THE BALL • Diving into the newspapers, Gill Shaw finds a lovely description of her ancestor Catherine Mary – and one weak but weird link to the family name …

YOUR 6-STEP PLAN to thorough (brick wall-smashing) family history • Research methodology is a key skill that ALL family historians need to learn if they are to solve knotty, brick wall problems, advises Phil Isherwood. Follow Phil’s research method and you will have a set of doable steps to help you make better family history progress, however tough it gets.

How ANCESTRY ENHANCED SHARED MATCHES can help you • ‘If you had been within a mile of my house one Monday in late June you could not have failed to hear the squeal of excitement I gave when Pro Tools landed on my Ancestry DNA page!’ writes Karen Evans. ‘This much anticipated add-on, which included enhanced DNA matches, had been discussed for many months. But is it worth all the hype?’.

WHICH TEST is right for you? • DNA testing has revolutionised the genealogy world and 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

SPOTLIGHT ON… YORK AND DISTRICT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY • York Family History Society was founded almost 50 years ago, and has an active membership across the globe, as Publicity and Events Co-ordinator Steve Barrett tells us

Helping you discover your family story

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Photo corner • Costume historian and photo dating expert Jayne Shrimpton shares advice to help you date your unidentified pictures and so put names to the faces of the past

DIARY DATES • DISCOVER LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO ENJOY FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, PLUS ON-SITE EVENTS

Your letters •...