Discover your past
Learn from the experts whether you are starting out on your family history or in need of specialist advice
I research celebrities' family trees for Who Do You Think You Are? - here's what I want you to know about tracing your family history
Who Do You Think You Are? genealogist Sara Khan shares behind-the-scenes tips on how to research your family history
‘Britain’s first letter to Santa’ discovered
Old newspapers online reveal the long history of children's letters to Santa
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
Substantial new cost announced for WW2 service record access
The National Archives has announced a new ordering system for Second World War service records
Who were the Huguenots?
Kathy Chater explains how to trace Huguenot ancestors - Protestant refugees fleeing religious persecution in France - in your family history
What's new?
The best DNA test kits for 2025 tried and tested
DNA expert Debbie Kennett reviews the leading commercial DNA tests on the market
What is the best UK family history software?
We consider the advantages of using family history software to start your family tree, and the pros and cons of RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Family Historian, Heredis, Legacy 10 and MacFamily Tree 10
The best genealogy courses available now
Discover how to learn family history skills with our pick of the best online and correspondence genealogy courses
Ancestry adds over two million Doncaster records
Ancestry has added a major collection of historic baptism, marriage and burial records from Doncaster
Findmypast to offer free access to military records for Remembrance Day
Findmypast is offering free access to millions of military records to commemorate the end of the First World War
DNA
Discover how DNA testing can unlock your family history
The best websites for DNA family history research
Jonathan Scott wades through the jargon to bring together the best sites for understanding your family history using DNA testing
This DNA test kit is a gamechanger — and it's 63% off
Don't miss out on MyHeritage's whole genome sequencing DNA test for just £27
First consumer DNA test to provide low-cost whole genome sequencing goes on sale
All MyHeritage DNA tests will now offer whole genome sequencing
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
Newly digitised British Army WW2 service records to go online for the first time
Over one hundred thousand WW2 service records will go online and be freely available for the week leading up to Remembrance Day 2025
When were the Napoleonic Wars?
Did someone in your family fight for Britain in the Napoleonic Wars? Here's how to find family history records that far back
The amazing story of the 'unkillable soldier' who fought in three wars across 48 years and lost a hand and an eye
Julian Humphrys tells the extraordinary story of Adrian Carton de Wiart VC, the man they called the ‘Unkillable Soldier’
Overseas ancestry
Learn how to search for your ancestry overseas and discover your international family tree
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
Irish petty sessions records: How to use them in family history
Discover how to use the records of Ireland's petty sessions in your family history research
Irish Chancery bill books: How to use them in family history
Discover how you can use the surviving records of Ireland's Court of Chancery in family history
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
Claire Foy discovers her ancestor was nearly executed for terrorism on Who Do You Think You Are?
The Crown star Claire Foy discovered her ancestor's involvement in a famous 19th century criminal case when she appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?
Ruby Wax on Who Do You Think You Are?: Everything you need to know
Actor, comedian and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax traced the tragic roots of her family's history of mental illness in the Holocaust when she appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?
Empire with David Olusoga: What is it, and when is it on TV?
David Olusoga investigates the history of the British Empire in new BBC TV series