Proposals to destroy original wills overturned after public outcry
The Ministry of Justice has announced it will not proceed with controversial proposals to digitise post-1858 wills and destroy the originals
Children at play, a state of emergency, and Charlie Chaplin: These historic films show what life was like in Britain in 1921
To celebrate the release of the 1921 census on Ancestry, we share some historic films of Britain in 1921
The best special offers and discounts for family historians
Don't miss 50% off Ancestry subscriptions and more with Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine's 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
1921 census released on Ancestry
Family history website Ancestry published the 1921 census records for England and Wales on 7 January 2025
January Sale! Try 3 issues of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine and get every issue delivered direct to your door for £6!
Get the most from Britain's best selling family history magazine today!
12 ways to share your family tree
Don't let all your family history research go to waste. Chris Paton explains how to share the stories you uncover with your family this Christmas
Scottish ancestry: How to find free Scottish records online
Discover your Scottish ancestry with the help of these free Scottish ancestry records online
The tragic story behind this newly-discovered sketch by Britain's greatest pantomime dame
Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered a sketch by music hall artist and pantomime dame Dan Leno
My grandfather never knew who his biological father was — could I solve the mystery with a DNA test?
Crime novelist Sarah Ward reveals how she took a DNA test to solve her own mystery — the identity of her grandfather's father
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
1921 census released on Ancestry
Family history website Ancestry published the 1921 census records for England and Wales on 7 January 2025
The Highland Clearances: What were they, why did they happen and when did they happen?
What were the Highland Clearances, when did they happen and why did they happen? Chris Paton on the mass expulsion of Scottish crofters
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
How old is my house? The best house history websites
Inspired by BBC Two's A House Through Time? Jonathan Scott shows you how to trace the history of your house
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
The 1921 census - everything you need to know!
The 1921 census for England and Wales is now available online. Here is everything you need to know about the 1921 census including how to access it and what it will tell you.
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
The best free genealogy websites
These free genealogy websites will help you start your British family history research without costing a penny
What is the best family history website?
Don't miss our guide to choosing the best family history website, and the pros and cons of Ancestry, Findmypast, TheGenealogist and MyHeritage