Other family history books

Out local history librarians recommend the following books to help you to trace your ancestors using family photos, local newspapers, the census and military records. You may even be able to trace relatives using criminal records.

Click on the title to find out which libraries hold the book and reserve a copy online. You can ask for it to be delivered to your local library.

'Who do you think you are?'

Introduction to family history

'Who do you think you are?' by Dan Waddell and Nick Barratt
Together with BBC series exploring the lives of celebrities, this book explains how to carry out your own genealogy project. (2006)

'Family history made easy' by Kathy Chater
Containing all the information needed to start a search for family roots, this book shows how to get access to records in libraries, institutions and government bodies so that a family tree can be produced. (2004)

'Beginning your family history' by George Pelling, revised by Pauline Litton
Guidelines for people starting to trace their family history, outlining the information necessary to research back ten generations. (1998 – 7th edition)

'How to write your family history' by Terrick Fitzhugh and Henry Fitzhugh
Very readable guidance with examples on the wide variety of records and information sources for family history research. Includes information on writing and publishing your completed history. (2005)

'Ancestral trails: the complete guide to British genealogy and family history' by Mark Herber
Illustrated guide to tracing British ancestry as far back as the Middle Ages. Includes advice on obtaining information from relatives, drawing a family tree, and researching census records. (2004, 2nd edition – see also previous editions of Ancestral trails)

'Journeys in family history' by David Hey
Advice on where to find and how to research family history records over a period of 600 years, from First World War records back to the Black Death and beyond. (2004)

'How our ancestors lived: a history of life a hundred years ago' by David Hey
Illustrated history of life in Britain in 1901, based on data from the census. (2003)

Using photos, newspapers and the Internet

'Family photographs 1860-1945' by Robert Pols
Guide to researching, dating and contextualising family photographs, including how to best present and preserve photographs, and case studies explaining the techniques involved. (2002)

'Local newspapers 1750-1920' by Jeremy Gibson, Brett Langston and Brenda W Smith
Lists all newspapers published locally in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man between 1750 and 1920 (except for titles which lasted for less than four years), and indexes to personal names or obituaries, births, marriages and deaths. (2002, 2nd edition – see also previous edition of Local newspapers 1750-1920)

'The genealogists' Internet' by Peter Christian
Introduction and guide to researching family history on the Internet. Explains how the Internet works for beginners and gives details of sources of primary data available to family historians online. (2005, 3rd edition)

Census and birth, marriage and death records

'Making use of the census' by Susan Lumas
Explains how to use census records to trace your family history. (2002, 4th edition)

'Bishop's transcripts and marriage licences, bonds and allegations: a guide to their location and indexes' by Jeremy Gibson
Guide to the extensive range of marriage documents and indexes available for England, Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man, with county maps showing ecclesiastical jurisdictions. (2001, 5th edition – see also previous edition of Bishop's transcripts)

'Marriage and census indexes for family historians' by Jeremy Gibson and Elizabeth Hampson
Guide to unpublished indexes to marriage records and census records in Great Britain and Ireland, and recently published marriage and census indexes. Arranged by counties, then by type of record. (2000, 8th edition – see also previous editions of Marriage and census indexes for family historians)

'Sources for Roman Catholic and Jewish genealogy and family history: National Index of Parish Registers, Volume 3' by Donald John Steel
Details of the history of the various denominations, and the range and content of individual sources of records. (1974)

'National Index of Parish Registers' by Society of Genealogists
List of parish registers by region and county, with dates of available registers and where they are kept, includes nonconformist registers. (1968 onwards). See Volume 2, Part 4, Sussex

'Jewish ancestors?' by Rosemary Wenzerul
Organised under town headings, this book includes details about the Jewish holdings of archives, libraries, museums, record offices and synagogues and a full list of Jewish cemeteries throughout the UK. (2006)

'Wills and other probate records: a practical guide to researching your ancestors' last documents' by Karen Grannum, Nigel Taylor
Guide for new and experienced family historians on tracing and understanding wills, from before and after they were centrally registered in 1858. Includes explanation of legal terminology and Latin phrases. (2004)

'Probate jurisdictions: where to look for wills' by Jeremy Gibson and Else Churchill
Beginner's guide on where to start looking for wills and their associated records, including information and maps on ecclesiastical courts and their jurisdiction, covering England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (2002, 5th edition)

Military records

'Air Force records for family historians' by William Spencer
Covers the Royal Air Force, military flying before 1914, the Royal Flying Corps, Fleet Air Arm and many other minor forces. (2000)

'Army records for family historians' by Simon Fowler and William Spencer
Offers clear and comprehensive advice on tracing army ancestors from the 17th to the 20th centuries, with detailed case studies and full coverage of medals and awards. (1998, 2nd edition)

'Army service records of the First World War' by William Spencer
Guide to the records relating to army personnel during World War I, including army nurses, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, Indian Army, casualties, pensions, honours and awards, and how to use the ‘London Gazette' to put together a service record. (2001, 3rd edition)

'Tracing your naval ancestors' by Bruno Pappalardo
Explains the range of records and secondary sources which can be used to trace genealogical and career information in relation to men and women who have served in the Royal Navy and the naval reserve. (2003)

'Tracing births, deaths and marriages at sea' by Christopher T Watts
Useful guide to the many types of records relating to the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, including passenger lists. (2004)

Criminal records

'Criminal ancestors: a guide to historical criminal records in England and Wales' by David T Hawkins
Family historian's sourcebook which offers tips on how to research criminal ancestors, using case studies and details of convicts sent abroad. (1996)

Tracing ancestors outside the United Kingdom

'Tracing your Irish ancestors' by John Grenham
Guide to Irish genealogy covering dates, locations and formats of a wide range of records, including a list of Roman Catholic records. (1999, 2nd edition)

'Emigrants and expats' by Roger Kershaw
Describes the major waves of emigration and government approved schemes, explaining the reasons for such movements and how patterns have changed over time. (2002)

'Immigrants and aliens' by Roger Kershaw
Uses case studies to guide people tracing ancestors who came to Britain from overseas, covering records such as lists of arrivals, naturalization papers and records of religious dissenters. (2004)