Our favourite books for family history

Ancestral Trails

Tracing your family history 

To accompany the third series of the award-winning BBC television series, this book gives anyone the tools to trace their ancestors back over six centuries, taking them on a fascinating historical journey into the past. 

For the first time in a popular genealogy book, author Anton Gill and "Who Do You Think You Are?" family history expert Nick Barratt have created a wonderfully readable book which takes the reader back through time past the usual family tree landmark of 1837, when birth, marriage and death registration were made mandatory, to allow the reader to trace their ancestors back to Tudor times. 

It features all the celebrity family histories in the third series. A brilliant present for someone interested in family history, or for yourself.

Ancestral Trails is the family history reference book that I was bought as a present when I first started family history 10 years ago and I have used it nearly every day since.

This new edition takes account the many changes in the field since Ancestral Trails was first published in 1997, and is the most comprehensive and up to date guide to tracing British ancestry. It guides the researcher through the substantial British archives with a detailed view of the records and published sources available. Research in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands is also covered, as are the latest developments in information technology applications on CD and through the internet.

Check out the Amazon reviews - at this price, this is a must have! 

Originally published in 2004, this is a completely new edition that is very readable and very useable.

Author Anthony Adolph is a very well respected genealogist who has presented several programs about family history on TV and radio.

The book gives many internet sites that are worth investigating as well as loads of practical advice about census records, parish records and general registration as well as other record types that you will love to investigate.

The market for family history has never been stronger. The phenomenally successful television series "Who Do You Think You Are?" made many people consider the subject for the first time. Nick Barratt, the man behind the interactive strand of the series, now brings his expertise to this practical, lively and well-researched book, which will open the door to the fascinating world of genealogy. Accessible and clearly presented, and underpinned by a wealth of knowledge and experience, this book gives you everything you need to know to get cracking. From how to get started (talking to relatives, gathering clues, assembling a family tree), through to accessing and understanding and understanding the main sources (certificates, censes, probate and family registers), to how to flesh out your family tree, including tracing immigrant and emigrant relatives, tracking down military ancestors and how to cope if you uncover family secrets. Throughout the book, there are case histories and real-life examples to help and inspire every reader.

The Family Detective

The Genealogist's Internet 

Peter Christian's guide to the internet for family historians is now in its third edition. It is clear, full of info about sites, which ones to trust, which ones that may have errors and is needed by beginners and the more experienced alike.