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

SARAH’S TOP TIP • Share your transcription problems with others on our Facebook Group

CONTRIBUTORS

SAD STORY

Letters

Who do you think you are

What’s On

BOOK AHEAD • The free online event RootsTech Connect returns in 2022

PICK OF THE MONTH

Online map tells refugees’ WW2 stories • Rosemary Collins reports on data releases and genealogy news

MOD launches online orders for RAF service records

CAN YOU HELP?

NEWS IN BRIEF

Newport Rising testimonies go online

Elizabeth I documents digitised

London Metropolitan Archives announces its new director

Jewish WW1 memorial database launched

West Glamorgan electoral registers published online

Thomas Hardy

Hampshire records to be added to Ancestry

LET DOWN BY THE GOBLINS • Alan Crosby wonders who is behind the disappointing ‘hints’ he receives...

Reading Old Handwriting • Judith Batchelor shares her tips for deciphering historical documents and breaking down brick walls

SECRETARY HAND TUTORIAL • Try transcribing this 16th-century will from the Wiltshire collection on Ancestry (ancestry.co.uk). There are tips on page 20 and a transcription on page 22. Good luck!

PAPER, PARCHMENT AND VELLUM • Our forebears used a number of writing materials

QUICK TRANSCRIPTION TIPS • There’s no need to be intimidated. You can decipher even the most challenging handwriting in centuries-old historical documents if you follow Judith’s recommendations

PEN AND INK • How did our more literate forebears write their documents?

GLOSSARY • Six key terms used to describe features of historical handwriting

WILL OF EDITH GARRATT OF YATESBURY, WILTSHIRE, DATED 27 MARCH 1544

RESOURCES • Take your research further

Transcription TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2022 • The countdown starts here! Rosemary Collins introduces the four projects we’re supporting this year, and explains why you should volunteer to help other family historians

THE STORY OF The 1921 Census • This long-awaited release sheds vital light on our ancestors’ lives in the aftermath of war and pandemic, says

EDGAR WALLACE • How one prolific storyteller enthralled our forebears

THE CENSUS IN IRELAND • Successive conflicts delayed a census on the island for five years

RESOURCES • Take your research further

HOW TO ACCESS THE 1921 CENSUS OF ENGLAND AND WALES

Using DNA Painter • Debbie Kennett takes a look at this unmissable website in the first of a new series on getting the most out of your DNA results

FAVOURITE FEATURES • Find out more information about the powerful tools and charts available through DNA Painter

RESOURCES Take your research further

‘MY ANCESTORS ESCAPED GENERAL FRANCO’S BRUTAL REGIME’ • When Leila Barratt began researching her grandmother’s early life, she was shocked to discover that her family had barely escaped being killed in the Spanish Civil War.

RESOURCES • These three sites helped Leila to uncover her family’s story

THE BIG PICTURE • Celebrating our ancestors caught on camera

HAVE YOU HIT A BRICK WALL?

Q&A • Our team of experts offers tips and inspiration

PICTURE ANALYSIS • Can you tell me the date of this photo?

What did Paddy do during the...