Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine not only explores the stories behind the popular BBC genealogy TV series, but also helps you uncover your own roots. Each issue is packed with practical advice to help you track down family history archives and get the most out of online resources, alongside features on what life was like in the past and the historic events that affected our ancestors.

Welcome

CONTRIBUTORS

SARAH'S TOP TIP • Use source references to find families in the census on ScotlandsPeople

THE JOY OF DNA TESTING

Letters

Who Do You Think You Are?

What's On

Findmypast adds school and university records

Hampshire parish records go online • Rosemary Collins reports on data releases and genealogy news

NEWS IN BRIEF

CAN YOU HELP?

Findmypast adds millions of rate books from Manchester

David Willis

A LICENCE TO SWILL • Alan Crosby reflects on the importance of the local pub in our ancestors' lives

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK • Laura Berry reveals how the WDYTYA? researchers find those genealogical gems that bring an ancestor to life

5 SPECIALIST ONLINE COLLECTIONS • Digitisation means that an enormous range of material is easily available

5 SPECIALIST ARCHIVES • Laura shares five archives that have helped the show uncover some remarkable stories

MISSIONARY MINUTES • How Laura and the rest of the team researched Andrew Lloyd Webber's missionary forebear

HOSPITAL BALLOT • Records from the birth of Chris Ramsey's relation revealed intriguing social history

RESOURCES • Take your research further

SEARCHING SCOTTISH CENSUS RECORDS • Genealogist Chris Paton shares expert tips for tracing family in Scotland

SEARCHING SCOTTISH CENSUS RECORDS • Chris explains how to find your relation in the census records available on ScotlandsPeople (scotlandspeople.gov.uk) and save their record to your computer

ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTS • There are many additional population listings that can help you to track down your Scottish ancestors before, between and after the censuses

‘I'VE TRACED MY ROOTS IN DERBYSHIRE BACK TO THE EARLY 16TH CENTURY' • To say that Margaret Smith's Pegge family were well connected is an understatement. She has researched these high-flyers in great depth and discovered lots of surprises including a royal mistress, says Claire Vaughan

RESOURCES • These online resources helped Margaret research her roots

ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION • Simon Wills, the maritime adviser for WDYTYA?, explains how you can research a relation in this formidable fighting force, like Chris Ramsey's great grandfather

WILLIAM ROBERT GIBSON • Simon celebrates the service of an exceptionally courageous member of the RND

SERVICE CARDS • These service cards for Chris Ramsey's ancestor Dryden Young are in series WO 339 at TNA and can be downloaded from its site (nationalarchives.gov.uk)

EXPERT PICKS • The crucial records that you need to research a relation who served in the RND are held by The National Archives and available online

RESOURCES • Take your research further

CONVICTS SENT TO AUSTRALIA • Jonathan Scott chooses online resources for tracing criminals transported to Australia

EXPERT'S CHOICE • Michelle Higgs is the author of Prison Life in Victorian England (2007)

GO FURTHER • Eight more sites you can't afford to miss

IRISH CHANCERY BILL BOOKS • Steven Smyrl explains how to access these invaluable name-rich sources from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries

RESOURCES

How do I find out about William Hooper's military service in India? • Our team of experts offers tips and...