News
The latest news from the world of family history
Ancestry DNA tests fifteen champion athletes to mark start of Olympics
AncestryDNA has identified 30 genetic traits associated with sporting success and tested the DNA of 15 famous athletes
"I am over the moon": Long Lost Family reunites mother and son
In the second episode of Long Lost Family 2024 Paula Beer was reunited with her son Jim, who she gave up for adoption as a baby
Long Lost Family reunites mother with daughter she gave up for adoption as a baby
In the first episode of Long Lost Family 2024, Roslynne Webb was reunited with her daugher Lyndsey, who was adopted when she was a baby
What is Dolly Parton’s ancestry?
What is Dolly Parton's ancestry? We take a look at the county music legend's American, English, German and Welsh ancestry
137,859 historic OS maps of England and Wales go online for free
137,859 historic Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales have been added to the National Library of Scotland maps website
Did they really behave like that? Bridgerton and Regency etiquette
From who you can speak to, to what you can wear, the world of Bridgerton has strict rules of etiquette but was that how people behaved in the Regency era? Mallory James investigates
Their Finest Hour website goes online
Their Finest Hour, a web archive of ordinary people's memories and artefacts from the Second World War, has gone online
What are the most common Welsh surnames?
Wales is blessed with some distinctive family names. Discover 50 of the most common Welsh surnames and the history behind them.
Findmypast offers free access to records for D-Day 80th anniversary
Family history website Findmypast is offering free access to millions of its family history records to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Ancestry offers free access to over 400 million military records to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day
Global genealogy website Ancestry is offering free access to its vast collection of military records for a week. Here's how to make the most of the offer and find your family who served.
GRO increases prices of birth, marriage and death records
The General Register Office (GRO), which holds civil birth, marriage and death records, has increased the price of the documents
Genealogists campaign against proposals to digitise wills and destroy originals
The Ministry of Justice has opened a consultation on proposals to digitise and then destroy all civil wills in England and Wales
‘Animal VC’ for Second World War POW dog discovered
A record of the Dickin Medal for Gallantry being awarded to Judy, a Navy dog during the Second World War, has been discovered
What do the British call their grandparents?
What do the British call their grandparents - Nan, Granny, Grandad, Grandpa or something else? A new survey reveals the answer
What is Meghan Markle's ancestry?
Meghan Markle has revealed that a DNA test said she's 43% - but what else do we know of the Duchess of Sussex's ancestry?
When will the 1926 Irish census be released?
Discover when the 1926 Irish census will be released, and how to use the existing Irish census records in your family history research
Taylor Swift is related to Louis XIV, family history research shows
Pop singer Taylor Swift is the 8th cousin 11 times removed of Louis XIV, France's longest reigning monarch, family history research shows
Celebrity line-up announced for new series of DNA Journey
What is ITV's family history series DNA Journey, who has been on it, and where can you watch it?
Newly opened records reveal 'brutality' faced by 14-year-old Second World War prisoner
The National Archives has opened up the records of John Hipkin, who was imprisoned during the Second World War at the age of 14
Members of the public invited to help transcribe Jane Austen's brother's memoir
The Jane Austen's House museum is inviting members of the public to help transcribe Francis Austen's memoir online
Findmypast adds 280,000 Coventry records
Family history website Findmypast has added 280,000 records from Coventry, including Blitz records, burial registers and newspaper pages
Historian seeks help identifying men in moving WW1 photograph
Bristol-based historian Ian Chard shares an evocative photograph of a Gloucestershire regiment from the Western Front – and asks if you recognise any of the depicted men from your own family tree
How much is Ancestry UK?
Discover all the Ancestry pricing options and choose the right Ancestry subscription to find your UK ancestors
How much does Findmypast cost?
We explain what family history records Findmypast's Starter, Plus, Pro and Premium subscriptions cover