
Substantial new cost announced for WW2 service record access
The National Archives has announced a new ordering system for Second World War service records

‘Britain’s first letter to Santa’ discovered
Old newspapers online reveal the long history of children's letters to Santa

Who were the Huguenots?
Kathy Chater explains how to trace Huguenot ancestors - Protestant refugees fleeing religious persecution in France - in your family history

This DNA test kit is a gamechanger — and it's 66% off
Don't miss out on MyHeritage's whole genome sequencing DNA test for just £27

The best special offers online for family historians
Get Christmas discounts on DNA tests from Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA and LivingDNA with our family history special offers roundup

The best genealogy courses available now
Discover how to learn family history skills with our pick of the best online and correspondence genealogy courses

The best DNA test kits for 2025 tried and tested
DNA expert Debbie Kennett reviews the leading commercial DNA tests on the market

Claire Foy discovers her ancestor was nearly executed for terrorism on Who Do You Think You Are?
The Crown star Claire Foy discovered her ancestor's involvement in a famous 19th century criminal case when she appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?

Ruby Wax on Who Do You Think You Are?: Everything you need to know
Actor, comedian and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax traced the tragic roots of her family's history of mental illness in the Holocaust when she appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?

What is the best UK family history software?
We consider the advantages of using family history software to start your family tree, and the pros and cons of RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Family Historian, Heredis, Legacy 10 and MacFamily Tree 10

Getting started

How to start a family tree
Who Do You Think You Are? family history expert Laura Berry shares her tips on how to start a family tree

How to find birth, marriage and death records
We explain how to easily find birth, marriage and death records in the UK for family history research

What UK census records are available?
UK census records are a crucial family history resource, but when was the census taken and where can you find census records including free census websites?
Trending articles

Substantial new cost announced for WW2 service record access
The National Archives has announced a new ordering system for Second World War service records

18th century history: What was life like in Britain in the 18th century?
Trace your family in 18th century England and discover what their lives were like with these history websites

Gypsy surnames: How to tell if you have Gypsy ancestry
What are the most common Gypsy surnames and first names, and how can you tell if you have Gypsy ancestry? Find out with our guide

The best Christmas gifts for family historians from DNA test kits to historic newspapers
The best family tree gifts for the family historian or genealogist in your life

Find old photos of your house online
Jonathan Scott shares some of the best websites for finding old photographs of your house or street including aerial photographs

Scottish ancestry: How to find free Scottish records online
Discover your Scottish ancestry with the help of these free Scottish ancestry records online

100 cool British last names: From Anguish to Wildblood
Look no further for 100 cool British last names and their sometimes surprising origins from Alefounder and Sexey to Twelvetrees and Wildblood

How to write a family history
Are you ready to turn your family history research into a book? Janet Few shares her top tips on writing your family history

‘Britain’s first letter to Santa’ discovered
Old newspapers online reveal the long history of children's letters to Santa