Family Tree UK

Learn how to trace your family tree! Every issue is packed with: family history research advice hands-on learning experiences to help you become an ancestor super-sleuth & step-by-step guides to show you the path to tracing the past. From vintage documents to the latest in DNA, we’re here to help you discover more! Get the latest in genealogy news, software, books, archives and expert answers. Plus enjoy those reader stories that remind what it means to trace your family story. Research & remember your roots with Family Tree!

Summer ’s lease hath all too short a date..

RARE 17TH-CENTURY EMBROIDERY ACQUIRED FOR THE NATION • A rare embroidery dating from the early 17th century has been acquired by National Museums Scotland, with the support of textile collector and philanthropist Leslie B. Durst

6 million Sussex parish records now on Ancestry • Ancestry has announced the launch of its Sussex Parish Registers collection, featuring over six million historic records that span 457 years, from 1538 to 1995.

60,000 Dublin records to explore

Dunkirk painting owned by Sir Winston Churchill goes on public display • A painting of Dunkirk owned by Sir Winston Churchill has gone on public display at his former home Chartwell for the first time following conservation and repair

How to get involved helping FamilySearch index records as a volunteer • More than 130,000 volunteers have now engaged in reviewing the 1950 US Census to make these records available to everyone for free on FamilySearch, and new volunteers are still welcome.

DID YOUR ANCESTOR RECEIVE A MILITARY AWARD OR HONOUR? • FindMyPast’s new record set covers more than fifty years of 20th century military history. The collection, titled ‘British Army, Recommendations for military honours and awards 1935-1990’ is from The National Archives (WO 373) and includes nearly 80,000 records.

2 million UK prisoner of war records now available at FamilySearch • Explore 1,968,517 prisoner of war records, spanning the years 1715 to 1947 at FamilySearch

Two new collections to enjoy at SoG • The past few weeks have seen the release of two major collections at Society of Genealogists: memorial cards and family trees, with each due to be updated with lots of new content over the coming months

The passing of Iain Swinnerton • Colonel Iain Swinnerton was a long-time contributor to Family Tree, frequently writing on military history topics, and spoke to genealogy audiences across the globe. It is with sadness that we share news of his passing on 24th May.

Family photos bbetween the wars • Dress & photograph historian Jayne Shrimpton looks at our ancestors’ photos from the 1920s & 1930s, reflecting on the photographic history of the period: the techniques, formats, subjects, photo-dating clues, and above all the relaxed real-life snapshots of families from the time

Dear Paul • This month’s theme is ‘coming to our senses’ as we delve into the wonderful world of the census and some record-breaking ancestors...

Our land-holding Scottish ancestors • Chris Paton takes a look at the dominant form of land tenure in Scotland until 2004....

Why study local history? • Stuart A. Raymond invites us to take a step beyond those records that mention our ancestors by name, moving into a fascinating world of research where we can discover more about the places and communities in which our ancestors moved

PHOTOGENEALOGY: STEP 1 GATHER & BACK-UP YOUR PHOTOS • Last month’s article by Ann Larkham introduced the five steps of Photogenealogy. This article will focus on the first step: how to gather and back-up your family history photographs. The remaining steps will be explored in the coming months.

WHY DID HE DIE SO YOUNG? • Chance discoveries online lead to Gill Shaw...