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 online?
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

Merchant seamen crew lists: What are they, and where can you find them?
What are merchant seamen crew lists, and where can you find them? Naval historian Dr Simon Wills reveals how to trace an ancestor who served in the Merchant Navy

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

Joe Swash discovers the truth about a rumour of mafia connections in his family on Who Do You Think You Are?
Joe Swash discovered the truth about his ancestors who emigrated from Italy to London on Who Do You Think You Are?

How to uncover Italian ancestry from the researcher who traced Joe Swash's roots in Italy
Italian researcher Maria Laura Frullini shares her advice on finding records in Italy based on her experience uncovering celebrity stories for Who Do You Think You Are?

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

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

How long were the British in India?
If your family were among the thousands of Britons who lived in India during the colonial period, these websites will help you find out more about their lives

How to elevate your genealogy journey – from records to revelation
Family history is about more than just names and dates. As new research sources emerge, we explore how combining archives with true-life narrative can reveal the stories behind the records.

"I found a map in the pocket of an old GI's uniform... and discovered a D-Day cover-up"
Gary Sterne talks about how he discovered a 'secret' US military historical objective at Omaha Beach on D-Day