Features
Guides, tutorials, interviews, research and opinion pieces on family and social history
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
A newspaper article revealed that my ancestor died saving his wife and children in an accident
Nigel Ellis discovered that his great great uncle Samuel Scarff died saving his wife and children from a runaway horse
A rags-to-riches rise, a knighthood and a missing daughter: My ancestor’s astonishing life
In his family history research, Graham Ashdown unearthed a connection to Curtis Ashdown, a shipping magnate who was knighted by George V
Newspaper articles revealed my relative died in a First World War prison camp after the Armistice was signed
Maxine Foley Speakman shares how she discovered the story of her distant cousin Herbert Bolton's death in a First World War prison camp
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
Compulsory vaccination in the age of smallpox
Ruth A Symes examines the controversial introduction of compulsory smallpox vaccination in the 19th century, and reveals how you can find out if your ancestors refused the jab
How to find divorce records in England and Wales
Marriage law expert Rebecca Probert explains the history of divorce and where to find divorce records in the UK
What was the Home Guard?
When was the Home Guard formed, what did they do and what weapons did they use? We answer your questions about the real-life 'Dad's Army'
The best genealogy courses available now
Discover how to learn family history skills with our pick of the best online and correspondence genealogy courses
RAF records: How do I find WW2 RAF service records?
Don't miss our guide to finding the service records of WW2 RAF personnel
Royal Marines records: How to find them
Naval history expert Simon Wills explains how to find Royal Marines records for your family history research
When was the 1901 census taken?
Discover everything you need to know about the 1901 census, including where to find records for the UK and Ireland
How to find WW2 POW records
If your family member was a prisoner of war in the Second World War, there are a good number of surviving records to help you find out more
Scottish names and naming traditions
Discover which surnames, first names and clan names are Scottish and how to tell if you have Scottish family history
I discovered forgotten documents that solved the 19th century murder of a sailor
Hazel Garas discovered that her 3x great grandfather William Ross was a witness to the suspected murder of his brother-in-law on board a ship
The history of exercise
Discover the origins of exercise and fitness, from 'muscular Christianity' to Second World War Britain
Irish ancestry: How to trace Irish ancestry
Discover if you have Irish ancestry with the help of our list of the best Irish ancestry websites
Cotton mill workers: Who were they, and what were their lives like?
The men, women and children who worked in Britain's cotton mills powered the Industrial Revolution - but what were their lives like?
What was rationing, when did it start and when did it end?
From ration books to 'Doctor Carrot', discover how the British government preserved Britain's food supplies in the Second World War
How to find bankruptcy records online
If your ancestor was bankrupt or insolvent, find out how to trace historic bankruptcy records with our guide
What is an agricultural labourer?
Almost all of us will have agricultural labourer ancestors. Discover more about their lives and how to research them with our guide
Mass Observation: What was it, and when did it start?
The Mass Observation project documented the lives of ordinary people in the 1930s and the Second World War - and is still going today
How to find Royal Navy service records
Simon Wills reveals how family historians can find their ancestors’ Royal Navy service records – from the Napoleonic Wars to the First and Second World Wars
Evacuees: Where did evacuees go, what did they take with them and what were their lives like?
Where did evacuees go and what were their lives like? Discover the stories of the children who were evacuated in WW2