A hero of the British-Zulu wars, awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery
... a pioneering Indian prime minister of the province of Bhavnagar ... Princess
Anne's husband's descent from a Jewish merchant of Venice ... a 16th-century
peasant woman, executed for bewitching a man and his pigs ... These are just
some of the extraordinary stories that Anthony Adolph has unearthed in his years
of researching family histories. What mysteries does your family's past hold?
'Collins Tracing Your Family History' helps you find out.
From parish records to marriage certificates, from wills to military service
records, there is a vast amount of information about your ancestors just waiting
to be discovered. Recognising the important influence of the Internet in modern
genealogical research, this book tells you how to combine the latest technology
with the most proven research techniques as you delve deeper into your heritage.
The guide is perfect for the novice family historian, beginning with the very
basics of genealogical research. It will also prove invaluable for those who
have made some progress but find their trail has gone cold or want to take their
research further - from old county maps to naturalisation records, Anthony
Adolph has suggestions for a wealth of more unexpected sources to unblock your
search. No matter how deep you would like to dig into your family's past, he
leads the way with informative guidance and fascinating case studies.
The new, fully-updated edition of 'Collins Tracing Your Family History' is
the definitive handbook for anyone interested in tracing their family's past.
Firmly practical in its approach, yet entertaining in its style, this reference
guide is the indispensable companion for all who are seeking a reliable,
one-source volume to use while tracking down their family origins. New and
up-to-date content helps you make the most of your resources - such as how best
to utilise the internet, and informs you about the most recent records released
which could be vital to your search for your ancestry. The book gives
comprehensive guidance on the full variety of governmental, religious and more
obscure records available to the family history sleuth. The guide also contains
highly useful advice on how to expand and reinvigorate a search when the trial
runs cold -- as it inevitably will. Author Anthony Adolph balances detailed
instruction and guidance with humorous anecdotes and illuminating history
lessons, ensuring an informative and entertaining read.
Written as a general research guide, it does have an English focus as it is
an English published book. From Wales to India, Ireland to Jamaica, wherever
your family hails from, 'Collins Tracing Your Family History' gives you the
expert advice and tips you need to make your search efficient, fruitful - and
fascinating. In short, this is the only guide you need to make your family's
past come to life.
Contents:
Introduction
Part 1: Getting Started
1. Ask the family
2. Writing it all down
3. Ancestral Pictures
4. Before you begin
Part 2: The Main Records
5. General registration
6. Censuses
7. The main websites
8. Directories and almanacs
9. Lives less ordinary
10. Parish records
11. Manorial records
12. Wills
13. Gravestones and memorials
Part 3: Taking it Further
14. Newspapers and magazines
15. Land records
16. Slave ancestry
17. Maps and local histories
18. Records of elections
19. The parish chest
20. Hospitals and workhouses
21. What people did
22. Fighting forbears
23. Tax and other financial matters
24. Swearing oaths
25. Legal accounts
26. Education! Education! Education!
27. Immigration and emigration
28. Religious denominations in Britain
Part 4: Broadening the Picture
29. Genetics
30. What's in a name?
31. Royalty, nobility and landed gentry
32. Heraldry
33. Psychics
Useful Addresses
Index
Acknowledgements
Reviews:
"Definitive advice for anyone interested in tracing their family's past" -
Family Tree Magazine
"...the information is superb" - Ancestors Magazine
"Beautifully designed and a pleasure to thumb through ... a friendly,
straightforward and internet-savvy first guide" - Your Family Tree Magazine
