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

Letters

Who Do You Think You Are?

What’s On • Get expert advice on researching the women in your family tree

Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland goes online

Findmypast adds York trade directories

CAN YOU HELP?

NEWS IN BRIEF

TNA makes service records available

Bishops’ Transcripts from Worcestershire released on Ancestry

Forces War Records adds coronation and jubilee medal rolls

Findmypast adds records from the US War of Independence

The National Archives creates online galleries showcasing royal documents

56m

Historians protest access restrictions at the National Records of Scotland

AN ODE TO OATS • A basic foodstuff was crucial to our ancestors, as Alan Crosby explains

PARISH REGISTERS ONLINE • Jonathan Scott presents our region-by-region guide to the essential websites

‘OLD LETTERS REVEALED A WHIRLWIND ROMANCE’ • Sally George thought that she knew about her husband Steve’s grandparents, until she was given a bundle of letters that were written almost a century ago and told a tale of a love that beat the odds.

RESOURCES • These sites helped Sally explore Erroll and Alice’s relationship

CHILDREN’S HOMES AND ORPHANAGES • Peter Higginbotham reveals how to make the most of the records that lift the veil on a relation’s time in these lifesaving institutions

GEORGE MÜLLER 1805-1898 • How an immigrant played a key role in the development of children’s homes

ADMISSION APPLICATION, 1887 • This record is held by The Children’s Society and is available at Hidden Lives Revealed (hiddenlives.org.uk)

EXPERT PICKS • Peter recommends these three sites if your ancester spent time in one of these institutions

RESOURCES • Take your research further

MAPS • Historic maps, plans, charts and surveys can ground your research, says Jonathan Scott

EXPERT'S CHOICE • Chris Fleet is the map curator at the National Library of Scotland (nls.uk)

GO FURTHER • Nine more websites you can't afford to miss

Access First World War records online • Nick Peers reveals how you can use The Ogilby Muster to research your ancestor's service

LOCAL INDUSTRY • Celebrating our ancestors' work in key trades

ROYAL NAVY SHIPS' MUSTERS • Simon Wills explains how you can use these key records to follow a naval ancestor's career

RESOURCES • Take your research further

MY FAMILY ALBUM • Share your favourite image and win £75 to spend on photo restoration. This month’s pictures were sent in by Ian Cooper of Southport, Merseyside, and include a grandfather who was in the King’s Regiment (Liverpool)

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

THE BIG PICTURE • Celebrating our ancestors caught on camera

Tripping the light fantastic • Caroline Roberts visits the dance halls where our ancestors went on a night out

VICTOR SILVESTER OBE 1900-1978 • The king of ‘slow, slow, quick-quick-slow’

RESOURCES • Take your research further

‘VATICAN RECORDS PROVED MY ITALIAN LINEAGE’ • The indefatigable Danny Parrott followed his great great grandfather’s trail to archives that few have seen over the centuries.

READER TIPS • What advice does Danny have for breaking down brick walls?

SEPHARDI...