Family History Books for Beginners

Pitfall and Possibilities in Family History Research Ref: PPFH
IF YOU AGREE WITH ANY OF THE STATEMENTS BELOW, YOU NEED THIS BOOK

She was born in 1839 so she must be registered at the GRO.
Of course they were married… .
He was 80 when he died so he was born in ... .
I knew her as Auntie Gladys; she must be my mother’s or father’s sister.
She was called little Cis so she must have been Cicely or Cecilia.
She’s described as his mother-in-law in the 1851 census; she must be his wife’s mother.
They both said they were 21 on their marriage certificate so they were both born in ... .
My name is Blomiley; Blummelie, Brimiley & Bromley are nothing to do with my family.
The minister wrote my ancestor’s name as Amery in the marriage register and he must be correct. What if my ancestor did sign as Emery?
My great grandfather left his son only one shilling in his Will; they must have fallen out.

If your ancestors are proving elusive and the records are not where you expected, or do not contain the information you anticipated, then Pitfalls and Possibilities is the book for you. Based on a series of articles with the same title published in Family Tree Magazine, updated and expanded, it is not a book on ‘how to do your family tree.’ Rather it suggests unexplored avenues and additional sources which you may not have considered. Possible errors and omissions in original records, transcriptions and indexes – often caused by poor handwriting, inconsistent spelling and regional accents are described and illustrated. Family history is like a game of snakes and ladders and this book should help you to reach the final square

- Price:£11.95

Birth & Baptism Records for Family Historians Ref: BBFH
By Stuart A. Raymond (2010) 32 pages.

Records of birth/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials are vital sources for famiy historians. It is impossible to trace pedigrees without consulting them. Civil and parish registers are particularly important, but are not the only places where you can find relevant information. In this series, the author describes the wide range of resources available, indicating where they can be found, and how they should be used.

- Price:£4.50

Marriage Records for Family Historians Ref: MRFH
By Stuart A. Raymond (2010) 32 pages.

Records of birth/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials are vital sources for famiy historians. It is impossible to trace pedigrees without consulting them. Civil and parish registers are particularly important, but are not the only places where you can find relevant information. In this series, the author describes the wide range of resources available, indicating where they can be found, and how they should be used.

- Price:£4.50

How to Trace Your Ancestors

Written by Brian Smailes a tutor of family history courses this is a practical beginners guide for anyone setting out on this rewarding hobby. The book will explain to you the basics of how to start, what you need, how and where to obtain information and how to record details of your findings.

Ref: HTYA

- Price:£3.95

Who Am I? The Family Tree Explorer Ref: WAI
By Anthony Adolph. The definitive and only book on the market designed to help children trace their family trees. How is Prince William descended from Dracula? Do we all come from Africa? Were some of our ancestors really only three feet tall?

This book, teeming with fascinating facts, history, photos and activities will inspire children to dig out their family records to discover their own ancestors and family connections. Using step-by-step activities, readers will be able to trace their histories through existing family records and interviews with members of the family. By the end of the book, children will have created their very own extended family tree, will have understood why we have surnames and how Genghis Khan is related to the British Royal Family. This book is suitable for children aged 9 to 14 years of age and compliments the national Curriculum Key Stage 2 & 3.

Anthony Adolph is a professional genealogist, writer and broadcaster. He is presenter of TV’s Extraordinary Ancestors, Antiques Ghostshow and Ancestor Hunters as well as Radio 4’s Meet the Descendants. He has his own genealogy practice and has helped many clients including celebrities and the royal family to trace their family trees.

Hard back book, 208 pages.

Retail Price: £14.99 My History - HALF PRICE!!

- Price:£7.95

Who Do You Think You Are? Encyclopedia of Genealogy Ref: WDEG
- Price:£24.95

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Pages: Nick Barratt

Harper Collins Books

2008

139780007261994

Hardback

Quarto (7.5" x 10")

531

The basics of drawing up a research plan, building your family tree, plus an easy-to-use guide to archives and internet sources.
How to look for clues in birth,marriage and death certificates, plus parish records and census returns.
Getting past a dead end or taking your research deeper- from specialised military and professional records, to exploring family secrets through trial records and evidence of illegitimacy.
Dedicated trouble-shooting section plus a complete resource list of archives, websites, name profiling, the latest DNA research techniques and much more.

Covering all access levels, from the new beginner to the more experienced researcher, the Encyclopedia of Genealogy is a comprehensive master class in solving the mysteries of your personal heritage. Begining with advice on the very first steps, before providing a detailed explanation of the range of sources you will encounter when trying to flesh out your ancestor's lives. The Encyclopedia is divided into sections, each a fascinating standalone reference article so that you can easily pick and mix the relevant information according to the route your journey through your family history takes you. The Encyclopedia of Genealogy guides you through: • Getting started, including research planning, sources, how to construct a family tree and working online • Going further, combining historical context (from military history to migration and family secrets) with practical advice on sources • Troubleshooting the most common problems such as common surnames and missing ancestors • Surname databases • Use of DNA such as DNA profiling services • Organisational tools such as designing a website and information about software and community projects. Everything you need to bring alive your family tree.
Dr Nick Barratt trained as a medieval historian and now acts as a historical consultant and researcher in the media. Recent credits include the double-BAFTA nominated Who Do You Think You Are? and BAFT-nominated Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.

- Price:£24.95

Who Do You Think You Are? Book (Series 1) Ref: WDYT

Author - Dan Waddell
Publisher - BBC Books
Date Published - October 200
Cover - Paperback
Size - 24.5 x 19.3cm
Pages - 191

This is the book that accompanied the BBC2 series. The book equips you with the basic tools to start and maintain your search. There is information on everything from where to find census information and how to order a birth certificate, to tracking down immigration documents or finding out if your navy officer great-great-uncle ever committed a disciplinary offence.

The book also covers the stories behind each of the ten TV personalities from the series. This is a jargon-free guide showing you how to find out about you own family tree.

(Publishers price £12.99)

- Price:£11.95

Suceeding in Family History Ref: SFHJT
- Price:£6.95

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Pages: John Titford

Countryside Books

2001

1853066915

Paperback

A5

112
John Titford, with his usual clarity and enthusiasm, guides the family historian through the many likely pitfalls and cul-de-sacs of early research, step by step. The topics covered here are - Names (first names and surnames); English and Welsh Certificates (birth,marriage and death); and Census Returns, from their inception in 1841.

- Price:£6.95

Starting Your Family History Ref: SYFH
- Price:£5.95

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Pages: Margaret Ward

Countryside Books

2006

1853068853

Paperback

A5

96
A new easy to understand beginner's guide to researching your family history, written by the author of The Female Line. "This slim, accessible volumn offers an excellent overview for absolute beginners, taking wannabe family historians through all the elementary steps" - Family History Monthly.

- Price:£5.95

First Steps in Family History Ref: FSFH
- Price:£6.95

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Pages: Society of Genealogists

Society of Genealogists Enterprises

2005 4th Edition

1903462878

Paperback

A4

51
Originally published in 1993 this latest edition of First Steps in Family History updates the Society of Genealogists' essential guidance manual for anyone beginning their family history. First Steps in Family History introduces the sources and record offices that will help anyone start family history research. It also includes information about web sites, CD ROMs, electronic databases, online indexes as well as useful books and finding aids.

There are some excellent search tips and advice for beginners and a useful quick reference time line chart of sources that can be of help as you climb further up your family tree. Take up the challenge and see if you can fill in the birth brief pedigree chart at the back of the book and collect all your 16 great -great-grandparents.

- Price:£6.95

Introducing Family History

By Stuart A. Raymond.

146 pages.

ISBN 1-86006-196-6.

Every family has a history. Most of us know something about our parents and our grandparents, but there is usually much more information that could be discovered. That information can be fascinating, and often explains why things were the way they were in our childhood.

Family history has become much easier to research in the last few years. Some of the most important sources are now available at the click of a mouse on the Internet. However, a basic understanding of these sources is still essential if you are to trace your family tree.

This book provides the basic guidance needed to begin your investigations into your family history. The author explains what sources of information are available, where to find them, and how to use them. He tells you how to trace your ancestors, and encourages you to understand their lives against the background of the society they lived in.

Ref: IFH

- Price:£8.95

Family History For Kids Ref: FHFK
- Price:£7.95

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Pages: Emma Jolly

Pymer Quantrill Publishing Ltd

2007

9780955757808

Paperback

23.6 x 16.6cm

64

Family History for kids includes everthing children need to know about discovering their family history through the ages, including:

A four-generation family tree chart.
Tips and suggested activities.
Projects sheets to complete.
Links to school work, both Key Stage 2 & 3 and is ideal for children aged 9 to 14.

- Price:£7.95

My Family Tree Book (for children) Ref: MFTB
Get the grandchildren interested in their family history. A 24 page full colour book for children to fill in basic details about immediate family members. The book asks questions such as:
Where were your born?
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
How many aunts and uncles do you have?
What are their names?

- Price:£4.95

Trace Your Family Tree - Self Help Kit Ref: LPFT

Author - The Society of Genealogists
Publisher - Lawpak
Date Published - 2006 2nd Edition
Size - A4
Pages - 122

You can buy the Lawpack Trace Your Family Tree Kit from this website - but you don't need a computer and an internet connection to use it. The Kit makes an ideal present for anyone who wants to learn about this fascinating field, with all the forms and information to start work immediately.

There is a guidance manual written by experts at the Society of Genealogists that's packed with tips and advice on how and where to begin your research. It includes the all-important sources of information and details of further reading. Loose-leaf record-keeping documents and family tree charts are also included.

About the Author
The contents of this kit have been written by the Society of Genealogists, the UK's leading genealogy research institution. The Society's London base houses the country's most important genealogy library and provides support and advice for those investigating the lives of past generations.
Pack Contents

- Price:£15.95