| Genealogy, the study of individuals' descent and relationships, is the starting point when researching family history. But where doe the ancestral trail begin? How can information from different sources combine to form a coherent picture of past generations? And how can links be forged from the past to the present-day researcher? Previously only available in hardcover, this new paperback edition, weighing almost as much as the hardcover at about two kilograms, has been completely revised for this second edition. It takes into account the many changes in the field since 'Ancestral Trails' was first published in 1997. A comprehensive and up to date guide to tracing British ancestry, the book guides the researcher through the substantial British archives with a detailed view of the records and published sources available. Primarily covering England itself, there are sections on Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man as well at the Channel Islands. It guides the researcher through the voluminous British archives, extending back to medieval times, and provides a detailed view of the records and published sources available. From newspapers and directories, civil, legal and religious records to personal recollections, photographs and other memorabilia, every kind of record is analysed, and the researcher is guided to the many detailed finding aids or indexes. Suitable for both beginners and more experienced researchers, the book has a wide-ranging scope. It provides a guide through the initial stages such as drawing family trees, obtaining information from living relatives, and beginning research in census records and the records of births, marriages and deaths. For those with more experience, this book is a treasure-trove of information about about records which are harder to find and use. 'Ancestral Trails' includes information on research in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, as are the latest developments in information technology applications on CD and through the internet. This new edition is illustrated throughout and contains detailed lists of further reading. This all new edition includes more than 170 new pages of information. With the chapters covering Census Returns; Parish Registers; Records of the Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force; Records of Shipping and Seamen; Records of Trades and Professions and Business; and Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Channel Islands; Bibliography and Index all being greatly enhanced. It is the essential companion to all family historians researching in the United Kingdom. Contents:
List of Illustrations
Foreword to the Second Edition
Foreword the the First Edition
Acknowledgements and Abbreviations
Introduction
1. An Introduction to Genealogical Research
2. Personal Recollections and Memorabilia
3. Organisation of your Research Material
4. General Problems Encountered by Researchers
5. Civil Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths
6. Census Returns
7. Parish Registers
8. Churchyards and Cemeteries
9. Directories
10. Combining Sources of Information
11. Archives, Libraries and Family History Societies
12. Wills and Administrations
13. Catholic, Non-Conformist and Jewish Records
14. Marriage and Divorce
15. Maps, Land Registration and Property Records
16. Local and Social History
17. Newspapers and Elections
18. Parish and Town Records
19. Education
20. Records of the Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force
21. Records of Shipping and Seamen
22. Records of Trades, Professions and Business
23. Oaths, Taxation and Insurance Records
24. Records of the Civil and Ecclesiastical Courts
25. Records of the Criminal Courts and Criminals
26. Peerages, the Gentry, Famous People and Heraldry
27. Further Property Records
28. Tracing Migrants and Living Relatives
29. Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands
30. Immigration, Emigration and Investigation Abroad
Appendix 1. Codes for Areas and Volumes in the GRO Indexes
Appendix 2. Indexes to Other GRO Records
Appendix 3. Chapman County Codes
Appendix 4. 'Seize Quartiers' of Bessie Maud Symes
Appendix 5. Extracts from the Bullied and Keates Family Trees
Appendix 6. The National Archives' Information Leaflets
Appendix 7. County Records Offices and Other Archives
Appendix 8. Commencement Dates of the Reigns of English and British Monarchs
Appendix 9. Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury: A Summary of Finding-Aids
Appendix 10. Records of the Court of Chancery: A Summary of Finding-Aids
Appendix 11. Web Sites for Family Historians
Bibliography
Index Review:
a defining work ... I confidently predict that, in future years, the phrase "according to Herber" will be used to confer authority on deliberations about family history research - Family Tree Magazine Related Products:
also available in hardcover: Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History |
Twitter
Facebook