Discover your past
Learn from the experts whether you are starting out on your family history or in need of specialist advice
The best genealogy courses available now
Discover how to learn family history skills with our pick of the best online and correspondence genealogy courses
10 things you should do with your Ancestry DNA test results to get the most from them
Not sure what to do with your AncestryDNA test results? DNA expert Debbie Kennett offers 10 tips that will help you get the most from them
"The need to defend the truth has been given new urgency": Thousands of Holocaust records go online
The Wiener Holocaust Library has launched Wiener Digital Collections, a new digital portal
The best websites for finding Holocaust records
We look at the websites where you can trace the records of family members who were killed in the Holocaust
A DNA test revealed the truth about my Dad's biological father — and his tragic death
Sonia Limm explains how she solved the mystery of her father's father's identity with a DNA test
What's new?
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
1921 census released on Ancestry
Family history website Ancestry published the 1921 census records for England and Wales on 7 January 2025
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
When was the 1921 census taken?
When was the 1921 census taken? Where can you find the records? And what do they show you? We answer your questions about the latest family history resource
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?
DNA
Discover how DNA testing can unlock your family history
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
How to download or delete your raw DNA data from 23andMe
The simplest way to download your raw DNA data from 23andMe so that you can place it on an alternative website
The best DNA test kits for 2024 Christmas presents
Debbie Kennett, author of DNA and Social Networking, explains why DNA testing is increasingly important in family history research.
Occupations
Discover the occupations and jobs people in your family history did
The 15 best websites for finding clergy in your family tree
An Anglican or nonconformist clergyman in your family tree can be a treat for genealogists, says Jonathan Scott
Munitionettes: Who were they and what did they do?
12-hour shifts, poisoning and deadly explosions... discover the hidden lives of the women who built Britain's arms during the First World War
Post Office records: How to find Post Office employee records
Susannah Coster from The Postal Museum reveals how to use Post Office records in family history
Military
Military and army records, history, research and family history
Remarkable drawings from artist’s First World War scrapbook go online
Findmypast has published an illustrated scrapbook by First World War soldier Henry Page
Second World War Army records: Where to find them
If someone in your family history served in the Army during the Second World War, here's how to track down their records
1.7m Second World War records to go online
Overseas ancestry
Learn how to search for your ancestry overseas and discover your international family tree
Reader story | My family came here with the Windrush generation
When Adrian Stone's mum fell ill, he was compelled to research her heritage. A decade and 6,000 ancestors on, he has made some amazing finds that have led him from Jamaica to his African roots.
The best websites for tracing Caribbean ancestors
Jonathan Scott shares his top online resources for tracing your Caribbean ancestry
How to trace your ancestors in the Irish Famine
Discover what records survive of the devastating Irish Famine of 1845 to 1849, and how to trace your family
Photo dating
Find out more about dating and caring for your old family photographs
Old photographs: Your complete guide to cleaning, storing and displaying your family photographs
Helen Dawkins on the best way to make sure your old family photographs survive for future generations
RHS calls for help identifying 16 Victorian calling card photographs
The Royal Horticultural Society has published its collection of 756 Victorian calling card photographs online
Do you have photographs of your family in their gardens? Here’s how to uncover the stories behind them
Discover how to use clothes, photo types and more to date old photographs of your family outdoors in their gardens throughout the years
Photo dating
Find out more about dating and caring for your old family photographs
These family photos are all I have left of my grandfather and uncle who both died in the world wars
Debbie Cameron from Formby in Merseyside shares her family photographs, including of her grandfather and uncle who died in the world wars
From fishing trawlers to Second World War submarines, my family have a long connection with the sea
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine reader Hazel Garas shares some of her family photographs, including Second World War heroes
From a mysterious disappearance to meeting the Queen: These photographs reveal my family history
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine reader Pamela Spencer shares her family photographs, including from the First and Second World Wars
Church records
How to access church records, religious records, and discover religious ancestors
Over one million Teesside parish records go online
A new collection over one million Teesside parish records has been added to Ancestry
How to find baptism records
Genealogist Paul Blake explains why English and Welsh baptism records are important in family history research, and where you can find them online
Parish chest records: What are they, and how can you use them in family history?
So-called because they were kept in chests in the parish, parish chest records include churchwardens' accounts, settlement orders, bastardy examinations and more
TV series
Discover more about the Who Do You Think You Are? TV series
Florence Pugh discovers heartbreaking connection with her ancestor on new family history TV programme
Acclaimed actor Florence Pugh made some remarkable family history discoveries - and enjoyed some tasty traditional British cooking - on new TV programme No Taste Like Home
Florence Pugh, Awkwafina and more trace their family and culinary history in new travel TV series No Taste Like Home
Discover mouthwatering new family history TV series No Taste Like Home, starring Florence Pugh, Awkwafina and more
Meet the real Austen family behind the BBC's Miss Austen
Discover the different characters in the BBC's new drama Miss Austen, and who they were in the real life of Jane Austen