Our Favourite Websites
Click on a category below to expand.
Bare Necessities
Ancestry
http://www.ancestry.co.ukPay-per-view site – first to launch the national censuses (1841–1901) and many other digitised record sets.
Find My Past
http://www.findmypast.comFormerly 1837online.com, this site has fully searchable BMD indexes (1837–2006) among other collections.
GenesReunited
http://www.genesreunited.comClassic family tree linking website with 500 million names.
Family Relatives
http://www.familyrelatives.comThis new and improved site is one of the first to combine social networking and millions of records
Origins
http://www.origins.netComprehensive and exclusive British and Irish record collections from 1200s to now.
The Genealogist
http://www.thegenealogist.co.ukVarious useful online databases and transcripts, including censuses.
Family Search
http://www.familysearch.comThe LDS Church run site for free access to records, including the 1881 census and the International Genealogical Index
Scotlands People
http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.ukThe official government source for Scottish genealogical information
Family History Online
http://www.familyhistoryonline.netAccess the online resources from various family history societies, including the National Burial Index
Access to Archives
http://www.a2a.org.ukSearchable indexes to the holdings of over 350 local and national record offices and museums.
Archives
The National Archives (TNA)
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.ukTNA’s homepage – get the latest updates on releases or search their DocumentsOnline.
Society of Genealogists
http://www.sog.org.ukJoin the society, learn about future events or search the library catalogue
The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies
http://www.ihgs.ac.ukThe first centre for family history studies in the UK. With extensive library and taught courses.
Federation of Family History Societies
http://www.ffhs.org.ukList of all the member societies that a researcher can consult or join.
General Register Office
http://www.gro.gov.ukAll you need to know about obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates.
London Metropolitan Archives
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lmaFor research in the capital.
ARCHON
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archonThe definitive list of major British repositories
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
http://www.proni.gov.ukNorthern Ireland’s major archive. Includes names of landholders and Ulster covenant signatories
Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS)
http://www.one-name.orgIs your surname being researched? Check here and make contact!
Familia
http://www.familia.org.uk/about.htmlA directory helping you to find what you want and where it’s located in archives around the UK.
One Great Family
http://www.onegreatfamily.comThe world’s largest tree building site.
Pedigree Soft
http://www.pedigreesoft.comTree building and information sharing website, now owned by FindMyPast.com.
For Free
Free BMD
http://www.freeBMD.org.ukAiming to grant free access to all the GRO’s BMD records, this site still isn't complete but useful nonetheless
FreeCen
http://www.freecen.org.ukFreeBMD’s census-related cousin
1901 Census Online
http://www.1901censusonline.comFree access to the latest census, courtesy of GenesReunited and TNA.
Cyndi’s List
http://www.cyndislist.comOver ten years of online advice for genealogists and 250,000 links for research – impressive.
Curious Fox
http://www.curiousfox.comA wonderful forum, search by place rather than name to find those from the same ancestral village.
British Genealogy
http://www.british-genealogy.comA great basic resource. Especially good guide to taking and using monumental inscriptions
RootsWeb
http://www.rootsweb.comAn excellent forum site with lots to recommend it despite the US bias
Family Tree Forum
http://www.familytreeforum.co.ukWell maintained and democratic forum site with lots to offer a new user
Online Parish Clerks Project
http://www.genuki.org.uk/indexes/OPC.htmlOPC’s provide volunteer transcription of historical records at parish level for various counties.
Tribal Pages
http://www.tribalpages.comThe best tree-hosting and genealogical storage site around, with good privacy controls
Family tree UK
http://www.familyhistory.uk.comA good forum and tree building site for furthering research or knocking down brick walls
Background
GENUKI
http://www.genuki.org.ukGenealogy for the UK and Ireland: information, news and events – essential for beginners.
British History Online
http://www.british-history.ac.ukAimed at academic historians, there’s still a lot here to interest the family historian.
Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.orgThis free people’s encyclopaedia can fill you in on many of the events, organisations and places your ancestor was a part of.
BBC History Pages
http://www.bbc.co.uk/historyVery useful pages on both British history and family history, including more from the Who Do You Think You Are? team.
Vision of Britain
http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/index.jspAn excellent statistics website with historical facts and figures from infant mortality to immigration
The History Channel
http://www.thefamilyhistoryproject.co.ukIncludes lots of information dedicated to family history as well as a tree builder.
Cyndi’s List: Information Pages and Glossary
http://www.cyndislist.com/diction.htmFamily history terms and acronyms.
GEDCOM
http://www.oz.net/~markhow/writing/gedcom.htmA concise definition of what a GEDCOM file actually is, and how it can help you.
Victoria County Histories
http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.ukAlthough incomplete, these histories form a detailed record of the country at the end of the Victorian era – some fully digitised and online.
About.com
http://genealogy.about.com/od/basicsA useful site with lots of hints and tips for the beginner.
Primary Resources
Historical Directories
http://www.historicaldirectories.orgAlmost 700 fully searchable trade and residential directories from 1750–1919.
Hidden BMDs
http://www.BMDregisters.co.ukThe brand new official service for non-parochial BMDs – find non-conformists here
The Wellcome Library
http://library.wellcome.ac.ukSearch the catalogue here to find all manner of historical medical records
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.aspA vast collection of wills, one of the most useful and underused resources.
Guildhall Library
http://www.history.ac.uk/ghVast archive of documents relating to every aspect of London and national life.
Gazettes Online
http://www.gazettes-online.co.ukScans and indexes to the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes – the self styled ‘newspapers of record’ for the UK.
British Library Newspapers
http://www.bl.uk/collections/newspapers.htmlCheck the catalogue for relevant holdings; look out for the launch of online content in 2009
Penny Illustrated
http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/collections/pipSearch the complete run of this daily newspaper online (1861–1913)
Newsplan
http://www.newsplan.co.ukResearch into the history and society of Southern England and the West Midlands through local newspapers.
Fairfax Archives
http://www.fairfaxarchives.comSearch back copies of the Sydney Morning Herald from 1955–present
Military History
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
http://www.cwgc.orgFind your soldier ancestor’s memorial online at this excellent site.
The Long Long Trail
http://www.1914-1918.netMade by an amateur enthusiast, visit this site for context and information on World War I
Military Genealogy
http://www.military-genealogy.comA pay-per-view site featuring databases for finding soldiers from the two world wars
National Army Museum
http://www.national-army-museum.ac.ukThe museum’s site can help you to get the most out of a visit; has some online content
Finding Naval Records
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.4330Addresses for easy tracking of naval personnel
RAF Museum
http://www.rafmuseum.org.ukThe RAF museum site has a new ‘navigator’ guide to collections online and research offline
Imperial War Museum
http://www.iwm.org.ukAdvice on tracing your relatives, plus online collections of memorabilia, photographs and documents.
Army Museums Ogilby Trust
http://www.armymuseums.org.ukLots of information on over a 100 British regimental museums and tips on how to trace men
Regiments and Battalions
http://www.army.mod.uk/unitsandorgs/regiments_battalions.htmA full list of British regiments with links to their websites.
Milquest World War II Research Community Forum
http://www.milquest.comFind American servicemen who served during WWII. Also try www.gitrace.com
Photography
The Daguerreian Society
http://www.daguerre.orgA fascinating insight into the early years of photography.
Directory of London Photographers 1841-1908
http://www.photolondon.org.uk/directory.htmOne of the best directories of its type and period and now free online.
Online Photo Fix
http://www.onlinephotofix.comRestoration of your old photos over the internet.
Francis Frith Collection
http://www.frithphotos.com/pageloader.asp?page=/default.aspSearch for old photos of your home or ancestral town.
Date an old photo
http://www.cartes.freeuk.com/time/date.htmLearn how to give Robert Pols a run for his money with this online guide!
Migration
Migration introduction
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html#EmigrantsConcise start for those tracking your ancestors across the globe.
Ancestors on Board
http://www.ancestorsonboard.comDigitised records from TNA’s class BT 27, this site has the records for all passengers leaving the UK 1890–1960
Ellis Island
http://www.ellisislandrecords.orgSearch the USA immigration records for Ellis Island 1892–1924 online for free here.
Moving Here
http://www.movinghere.org.ukThe experiences and photographs of those who migrated here from overseas
National Archives of Australia
http://www.naa.gov.auFor tracing Australian relatives and history
Collections Canada
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/index-e.htmlIndexes to all the major Canadian record sets available, including census and immigration records.
Directory of Archives New Zealand
http://www.archives.govt.nz/docs/pdfs/ArchivesDirectory.pdfSearchable PDF booklet listing the resources available for Kiwi researchers by area.
Child Migrant Information
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4006199Find child migrants who were sent to Australia, Canada and New Zealand between 1920 and the late 1960s.
India Office Family History Search
http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UILook for your ancestors from the British Raj online now.
US Wall of Honour
http://www.wallofhonor.comSearch online for free for immigrants to the US.
Old Maps
Old Maps
http://www.old-maps.co.ukFully searchable, downloadable database of old UK maps.
Maps of Scotland
http://www.nls.uk/mapsThe National Library of Scotland site is usefully searchable by time, place or even by map engraver
Surname Profiler
http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.ukFind out the national distribution and statistics for your surname.
Roots Map
http://www.rootsmap.comBuy laminated maps with your surname distribution.
MOTCO
http://www.motco.comA large number of historic prints and maps you can download for use in family histories
Family Atlas Free Trial
http://www.familyatlas.comHave a go at using this excellent family history mapping program.
Bodleian Map Room
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/guides/maps/maproom.htmSearch the Bodleian’s excellent collection of historic maps.
National Library of Wales – maps
http://www.llgc.org.uk/index.php?id=collections02The guide to the library’s expansive collection.
Booth’s Poverty Maps
http://booth.lse.ac.ukCharles Booth’s maps of London in 1889 show the areas subject to the most poverty and greatest wealth.
Street Map
http:// www.streetmap.co.ukFind places on a modern map.
Occupations
The Clergy of the Church of England
http://www.theclergydatabase.org.ukInvaluable for those looking for vicars, documenting the careers of all C of E clergymen 1540–1835.
National Fairground Archive
http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.ukThe first stop for anyone looking for theatrical ancestors or forebears in the circus.
Business Archives Council
http://www.businessarchivescouncil.org.ukThis organisation promotes and preserves business records for research purposes in the UK.
The British Postal Museum and Archive
http://postalheritage.org.ukIncludes a partial catalogue of 50,000 items from this invaluable archive.
Royal Bank of Scotland Archives
http://tinyurl.com/2vkyeqFor those with banking ancestors.
All Footballers
http://www.allfootballers.comSearch this database for any British top flight or international footballer.
National Police Roll of Honour
http://www.policememorial.org.uk/NationalRoll/NationalRoll.htmSearch for any officer who died in the line of duty.
Cyndi’s List – Occupations
http://www.cyndislist.com/occupatn.htmContains links to many useful regional transcripts and indexes.
British Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=2623The place to look for tracing the history of anyone involved in this organisation.
Working Class Movement Library
http://www.wcml.org.uk/welcome.htmThe online catalogue of this important Labour-connected collection.
Brick Walls
Missing Ancestors
http://www.missing-ancestors.comFind those sent to industrial or reformatory schools
Strays index
http://www.ffhs.org.uk/projects/strays.phpThe place to look for relatives who disappeared from their birth county.
Online Deeds Index
http://www.durtnall.org.ukA collection of abstract information garnered from a range of documents sold online.
Old Handwriting
http://www.amberskyline.com/treasuremaps/oldhand.htmlExcellent online tutorial for deciphering old handwritten documents.
Elopement
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/famrec/hlpsrch/sumrmar/runmar.htmlFind the records for those who ran away to Gretna Green.
Black Sheep
Criminal Ancestors
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=120TNA’s sources for tracing the black sheep of the family.
Scottish Criminals
http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/crime.aspYour complete guide to finding them.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London 1674 to 1834
http:// www.oldbaileyonline.orgThe records from this central London court are completely free to search.
Black Sheep Ancestors
http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/ukSearch major record sets for your criminal ancestors free of charge.
The Workhouse
http://www.workhouses.orgA detailed resource for those who had relatives consigned to these heinous places.
Find Living Relatives
Norcap
http://www.norcap.org.ukHelping adults deal with adoption – your first port of call for finding those adopted out.
eRoll
http://www.eroll.co.ukThe official electoral roll site for the UK.
Immigrant Ships Transcribers’ Guild
http://www.immigrantships.netAn American site that seeks to reunite people separated by migration, adoption or distance.
BT Surname Search
http://www.thephonebook.bt.com/publisha.content/en/search/residential/search.publishaYour first port of call for finding a number to match a name.
Lost Cousins
http://www.lostcousins.comFind people who share your Victorian ancestors by inputting individuals from the 1881 census.
Pedigrees and Heraldry
Burke’s Peerage and Gentry
http://www.burkes-peerage.netOnline version of reputable guide to gentry, with countless highbrow pedigrees.
Medieval Genealogy
http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.ukUseful tips for people lucky enough to have a family tree stretching back this far.
College of Arms
http://www.college-of-arms.gov.ukOfficial repository of UK coats of arms and pedigrees.
Heraldry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HeraldryUnderstanding this historic art.
A Grammar of Blazon
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/bruce.htmlA slightly bizarre site that nonetheless gives a good description of how to understand and draw coats of arms.
Courses
Centre for Lifelong Learning, Strathclyde University
http://www.cll.strath.ac.uk/cpd/genealogy/index.htmThe first available post-graduate diploma in genealogy – now taking applications for 2008.
IGHS Correspondence Course
http://www.ihgs.ac.uk/courses/correspondence.phpWell respected and long-established courses available.
National Institute for Genealogical Studies
http://www.genealogicalstudies.comCanadian-based online taught-courses for enthusiasts and beginners.
Genealogy Course and Family History Course Index
http://www.my-history.co.uk/acatalog/Genealogy_Courses.htmlFind a local course near you with this My History sponsored site.
Pharos Online Courses
http://www.pharostutors.comLearn new skills online with this excellent course scheme.
Genetics
Family Tree DNA
http://www.familytreedna.comThe leading American ‘deep ancestry’ company. Order your test online.
Oxford Ancestors
http://www.oxfordancestors.comBrian Sykes’ leading British site.
Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation
http://www.smgf.orgThe foremost collection of DNA results in the world. Where do yours fit?
The International Society of Genetic Genealogy
http://www.isogg.orgLots of information on getting your tests done and where to go next.
DNA Ancestry
http://dna.ancestry.comThe brand new Ancestry.com-affiliated DNA service.
Tourism
Visit Britain
http://www.visitbritain.co.ukThe official site of the UK tourist board – lots of info for the potential ancestral traveller.
Ancestral Roots Travel
http://www.ancestralrootstravel.comLeading tour company specialising in research trips and visits to ancestral homes around the UK.
Leger Battlefield Tours
http://battlefields.leger.co.ukFHM-affiliated couch tour company, specialising in tours of WWI and II battle regions.
Bartletts Battlefield Journeys
http://www.battlefields.co.ukBespoke battlefield tour and research company, for those who prefer the personal touch.
Ancestral Travel
http://ancestraltravel.netA good place to start when looking to plan a research trip outside the UK.
Shopping
Buy Certificates
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificate/index.asp#0Buy your certificates online at the General Register Office site.
Parish Chest
http://www.parishchest.comExcellent one-stop-shopping site for all your genealogical requirements.
FFHS Bookshop
http://www.familyhistorybooks.co.ukThe Federation of Family History Societies’ online store, with a variety of top titles.
A great place to pick up medals, maps, memorabilia and other second-hand excitements
Eneclann
http://www.eneclann.ieBooks, CDs and other resources to help with your Irish research.
S&N Genealogy supplies
http://www.genealogysupplies.comThe first people to stock genealogical software in the UK.
Arcare
http://www.arcare.comHelp you to care for your documents and certificates with storage solutions.
Arrowfile
http://www.genealogyorganiser.comFor all your storage needs.
My History
http://www.my-history.co.ukSelling an array of goodies, including books, maps and software.
Family Traits
http://www.familytraits.co.ukUseful professional research company.
Other Favourites
Dick Eastman’s Blog
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogyThe leading genealogy blog – keep up to date on all the latest views and reviews.
Family History Fairs
http://www.familyhistoryfairs.comAll the upcoming regional fairs are listed here.
George Cross Database
http://www.gc-database.co.ukA list of all the recipients of this medal – the highest civilian honour.
BMD index; RootsUK
http://www.bmdindex.co.uk; www.rootsuk.comA pair of useful and inexpensive resources.
Origination
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/O/originationLinks to pages about the history and heritage of Black and Asian peoples in Britain.
Moving History
http://www.movinghistory.ac.ukA guide to finding what you want at Britain’s historic film archives, plus watch over 100 historic film clips.
Office for National Statistics
http://www.statistics.gov.ukKeep an eye on this site for updates relating to the 2011 census.
Nations Memory Bank
http://www.nationsmemorybank.com/editorial/about.htmlUpload your memories at this living history site.
History4U
http://www.history4u.infoFrom our 'What's It For' specialist, a website that offers assistance on all manner of Bristol research...
Competition
We're offering you the chance to win one of five Annual Subscriptions to top genealogy website FamilyRelatives.com. Users have access to more than 600 million family history records!
To win, just email the answer to the question below to fhm@metropolis.co.uk
by 30th September 2008.
Q: FamilyRelatives.com contains, among a vast amount of other things, records of marriages in Texas. But what is the capital of the Lone Star State?

