Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine not only explores the stories behind the popular BBC genealogy TV series, but also helps you uncover your own roots. Each issue is packed with practical advice to help you track down family history archives and get the most out of online resources, alongside features on what life was like in the past and the historic events that affected our ancestors.
Welcome
Letters
Who Do You Think You Are?
What’s On • Get expert advice on researching the women in your family tree
Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland goes online
Findmypast adds York trade directories
CAN YOU HELP?
NEWS IN BRIEF
TNA makes service records available
Bishops’ Transcripts from Worcestershire released on Ancestry
Forces War Records adds coronation and jubilee medal rolls
Findmypast adds records from the US War of Independence
The National Archives creates online galleries showcasing royal documents
56m
Historians protest access restrictions at the National Records of Scotland
AN ODE TO OATS • A basic foodstuff was crucial to our ancestors, as Alan Crosby explains
PARISH REGISTERS ONLINE • Jonathan Scott presents our region-by-region guide to the essential websites
‘OLD LETTERS REVEALED A WHIRLWIND ROMANCE’ • Sally George thought that she knew about her husband Steve’s grandparents, until she was given a bundle of letters that were written almost a century ago and told a tale of a love that beat the odds.
RESOURCES • These sites helped Sally explore Erroll and Alice’s relationship
CHILDREN’S HOMES AND ORPHANAGES • Peter Higginbotham reveals how to make the most of the records that lift the veil on a relation’s time in these lifesaving institutions
GEORGE MÜLLER 1805-1898 • How an immigrant played a key role in the development of children’s homes
ADMISSION APPLICATION, 1887 • This record is held by The Children’s Society and is available at Hidden Lives Revealed (hiddenlives.org.uk)
EXPERT PICKS • Peter recommends these three sites if your ancester spent time in one of these institutions
RESOURCES • Take your research further
MAPS • Historic maps, plans, charts and surveys can ground your research, says Jonathan Scott
EXPERT'S CHOICE • Chris Fleet is the map curator at the National Library of Scotland (nls.uk)
GO FURTHER • Nine more websites you can't afford to miss
Access First World War records online • Nick Peers reveals how you can use The Ogilby Muster to research your ancestor's service
LOCAL INDUSTRY • Celebrating our ancestors' work in key trades
ROYAL NAVY SHIPS' MUSTERS • Simon Wills explains how you can use these key records to follow a naval ancestor's career
RESOURCES • Take your research further
MY FAMILY ALBUM • Share your favourite image and win £75 to spend on photo restoration. This month’s pictures were sent in by Ian Cooper of Southport, Merseyside, and include a grandfather who was in the King’s Regiment (Liverpool)
Q&A • Our team of experts offers tips and inspiration
THE BIG PICTURE • Celebrating our ancestors caught on camera
Tripping the light fantastic • Caroline Roberts visits the dance halls where our ancestors went on a night out
VICTOR SILVESTER OBE 1900-1978 • The king of ‘slow, slow, quick-quick-slow’
RESOURCES • Take your research further
‘VATICAN RECORDS PROVED MY ITALIAN LINEAGE’ • The indefatigable Danny Parrott followed his great great grandfather’s trail to archives that few have seen over the centuries.
READER TIPS • What advice does Danny have for breaking down brick walls?
SEPHARDI...