Every family has an extraordinary history. Now, with this book to guide you
every step of the way, you can discover the real stories behind your family
tree. Primarily covering research in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland,
there is also information on emigration to the United States, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand and South Africa.
An accessible, modern guide to the hugely popular art of tracing your family
tree, Grow Your Own Family Tree offers a concise and comprehensive summary of
how to locate and use a range of records and information to track down your own
family history. There is information on everything from where to find census
information or order a birth certificate, to finding out whether your
great-great-uncle committed a disciplinary offence whilst in the army. And
unlike other books on the subject, the scope of Grow Your Own Family Tree
extends far beyond Britain, to track your migrating relatives.
In twenty nine clear and helpful chapters, Alan Stewart takes you through
every aspect of researching your family history and tells stories about the
memorable discoveries that ordinary people have made in their own searches. As
an expert on the internet, he also offers a detailed exploration of the very
best websites and current internet resources along the way. With this book to
hand, it has never been easier to find out more about our ancestors.
Contents:
Introduction
Acknowledgements
1. Gathering it All Together
2. Archives and libraries in Britain and Ireland
Part 1.
Family Roots
3. General Historical Information
England and Wales
4. Historical Introduction
5. Births, Marriages and Deaths
6. Census Returns
7. Parish and Other Church Registers
8. Wills and Administrations
9. More Sources for Welsh Ancestry
10. Example English County: Cornwall
Scotland
11. Historical Introduction
12. Births, Marriages, Deaths and Census Returns
13. Parish and Other Church Registers
14. Wills and Inventories
15. Records Online
Ireland
16. Historical Introduction
17. Births, Marriages, Deaths and Census Returns
18. Church Registers and Wills
Isle of Man and Channel Islands
19. Manx and Channel Island Records
Part 2.
Extra Branches
20. Immigration to Britain and Ireland
21. Emigration from Britain and Ireland to the United States, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand and South Africa
22. The East India Company
23. Records of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force
24. Military Records and Memorials Online
25. Electoral Rolls
26. Background Information
27. Online Family History Portals
28. Making Contact With Your Cousins Online
29. Family History Societies
Conclusion: The Past, Present and Future of Family History
Appendix A. Free Online Family History Resources and Information
Appendix B. Pay-per-view/Subscription Charges for Online Databases, Fees for
Certificates and Charges for Genetics Tests
Appendix C. British and Irish Website Addresses
Appendix D. Addresses of Family History Societies
Appendix E. Addresses of Major Archives and Libraries in Britain and Ireland
Appendix F. Addresses of LDS Family History Centres in Britain and Ireland
Appendix G. Addresses of Irish Genealogical Research Centres
Select Bibliography
Index
