Getting started

Everything you need to know to start growing your family tree

1603, An English blacksmith using an anvil in a forge. The surname Smith comes from the occupation of blacksmith

Getting started

Where does my surname come from?

First World War soldiers at the Battle of Ypres, 1917 First World War records

How to find First World War records

Best free genealogy websites

Getting started

The best free genealogy websites

A wedding party in Hellidon, Northamptonshire, c1896-c1920 marriage registers

Getting started

Where to find marriage registers in the UK

If your family came from the Caribbean, you could also have British royal ancestry

Getting started

The best websites for tracing Caribbean ancestors

DNA family history

Getting started

The best websites for DNA family history research

How to start a family tree

Getting started

How to start a family tree

A line of children at the Alexandra Orphanage on Haverstock Hill, North London, April 1932. Adoption records

Discover your past

How to find adoption records in the UK

Illegitimate child

Discover your past

How to find the father of an illegitimate child

An early photograph of a baptism ceremony, c. 1860 baptism records

How to find baptism records

Irish ancestry. Farmers in Glenshesk, County Atrim, c. 1900

Overseas ancestry

Irish ancestry: How to trace Irish ancestry

Imperial toast between Wilhelm and Franz Joseph royal ancestry

Getting started

Royal ancestry: How to know if you have royal ancestry

Cousin relationships

Getting started

How to work out cousin relationships

What is the best family history website

Getting started

What is the best family history website?

Highgate Cemetery stone angel death records

Getting started

Where to find death records