Our Favourite Websites

Bare Necessities

• Ancestry
  http://www.ancestry.co.uk

  Pay-per-view site – first to launch the national censuses (1841–1901) and many other digitised record sets.

• Find My Past
  http://www.findmypast.com

  Formerly 1837online.com, this site has fully searchable BMD indexes (1837–2006) among other collections.

• GenesReunited
  http://www.genesreunited.com

  Classic family tree linking website with 500 million names.

• Family Relatives
  http://www.familyrelatives.com

  This new and improved site is one of the first to combine social networking and millions of records

• Origins
  http://www.origins.net

  Comprehensive and exclusive British and Irish record collections from 1200s to now.

• The Genealogist
  http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk

  Various useful online databases and transcripts, including censuses.

• Family Search
  http://www.familysearch.com

  The LDS Church run site for free access to records, including the 1881 census and the International Genealogical Index

• Scotlands People
  http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

  The official government source for Scottish genealogical information

• Family History Online
  http://www.familyhistoryonline.net

  Access the online resources from various family history societies, including the National Burial Index

• Access to Archives
  http://www.a2a.org.uk

  Searchable indexes to the holdings of over 350 local and national record offices and museums.

   

Archives

• The National Archives (TNA)
  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

  TNA’s homepage – get the latest updates on releases or search their DocumentsOnline.

• Society of Genealogists
  http://www.sog.org.uk

  Join the society, learn about future events or search the library catalogue

• The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies
  http://www.ihgs.ac.uk

  The first centre for family history studies in the UK. With extensive library and taught courses.

• Federation of Family History Societies
  http://www.ffhs.org.uk

   List of all the member societies that a researcher can consult or join.

• General Register Office
  http://www.gro.gov.uk

  All you need to know about obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates.

• London Metropolitan Archives
  http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma

  For research in the capital.

• ARCHON
  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon

  The definitive list of major British repositories

• Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
  http://www.proni.gov.uk

  Northern Ireland’s major archive. Includes names of landholders and Ulster covenant signatories

• Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS)
  http://www.one-name.org

  Is your surname being researched? Check here and make contact!

• Familia
  http://www.familia.org.uk/about.html

  A directory helping you to find what you want and where it’s located in archives around the UK.

• One Great Family
  http://www.onegreatfamily.com

  The world’s largest tree building site.

• Pedigree Soft
  http://www.pedigreesoft.com

  Tree building and information sharing website, now owned by FindMyPast.com.

For Free

• Free BMD
  http://www.freeBMD.org.uk

  Aiming 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.uk

  FreeBMD’s census-related cousin

• 1901 Census Online
  http://www.1901censusonline.com

  Free access to the latest census, courtesy of GenesReunited and TNA.

• Cyndi’s List
  http://www.cyndislist.com

  Over ten years of online advice for genealogists and 250,000 links for research – impressive.

• Curious Fox
  http://www.curiousfox.com

  A wonderful forum, search by place rather than name to find those from the same ancestral village.

• British Genealogy
  http://www.british-genealogy.com

  A great basic resource. Especially good guide to taking and using monumental inscriptions

• RootsWeb
  http://www.rootsweb.com

  An excellent forum site with lots to recommend it despite the US bias

• Family Tree Forum
  http://www.familytreeforum.co.uk

  Well maintained and democratic forum site with lots to offer a new user

• Online Parish Clerks Project
  http://www.genuki.org.uk/indexes/OPC.html

  OPC’s provide volunteer transcription of historical records at parish level for various counties.

• Tribal Pages
  http://www.tribalpages.com

  The best tree-hosting and genealogical storage site around, with good privacy controls

   

• Family tree UK
  http://www.familyhistory.uk.com

  A good forum and tree building site for furthering research or knocking down brick walls

Background

• GENUKI
  http://www.genuki.org.uk

  Genealogy for the UK and Ireland: information, news and events – essential for beginners.

• British History Online
  http://www.british-history.ac.uk

  Aimed at academic historians, there’s still a lot here to interest the family historian.

• Wikipedia
  http://www.wikipedia.org

  This 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/history

  Very 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.jsp

  An excellent statistics website with historical facts and figures from infant mortality to immigration

• The History Channel
  http://www.thefamilyhistoryproject.co.uk

  Includes 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.htm

   Family history terms and acronyms.

• GEDCOM
  http://www.oz.net/~markhow/writing/gedcom.htm

  A concise definition of what a GEDCOM file actually is, and how it can help you.

• Victoria County Histories
  http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk

  Although 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/basics

  A useful site with lots of hints and tips for the beginner.

Primary Resources

• Historical Directories
  http://www.historicaldirectories.org

  Almost 700 fully searchable trade and residential directories from 1750–1919.

• Hidden BMDs
  http://www.BMDregisters.co.uk

  The brand new official service for non-parochial BMDs – find non-conformists here

• The Wellcome Library
  http://library.wellcome.ac.uk

  Search the catalogue here to find all manner of historical medical records

• Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp

  A vast collection of wills, one of the most useful and underused resources.

• Guildhall Library
  http://www.history.ac.uk/gh

  Vast archive of documents relating to every aspect of London and national life.

   

• Gazettes Online
  http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk

  Scans 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.html

  Check the catalogue for relevant holdings; look out for the launch of online content in 2009

• Penny Illustrated
  http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/collections/pip

  Search the complete run of this daily newspaper online (1861–1913)

• Newsplan
  http://www.newsplan.co.uk

  Research into the history and society of Southern England and the West Midlands through local newspapers.

• Fairfax Archives
  http://www.fairfaxarchives.com

  Search back copies of the Sydney Morning Herald from 1955–present

   

Military History

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  http://www.cwgc.org

  Find your soldier ancestor’s memorial online at this excellent site.

• The Long Long Trail
  http://www.1914-1918.net

  Made by an amateur enthusiast, visit this site for context and information on World War I

• Military Genealogy
  http://www.military-genealogy.com

  A pay-per-view site featuring databases for finding soldiers from the two world wars

• National Army Museum
  http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk

  The 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.4330

  Addresses for easy tracking of naval personnel

• RAF Museum
  http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk

  The RAF museum site has a new ‘navigator’ guide to collections online and research offline

• Imperial War Museum
  http://www.iwm.org.uk

  Advice on tracing your relatives, plus online collections of memorabilia, photographs and documents.

• Army Museums Ogilby Trust
  http://www.armymuseums.org.uk

  Lots 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.htm

  A full list of British regiments with links to their websites.

• Milquest World War II Research Community Forum
  http://www.milquest.com

  Find American servicemen who served during WWII. Also try www.gitrace.com

Photography

• The Daguerreian Society
  http://www.daguerre.org

  A fascinating insight into the early years of photography.

• Directory of London Photographers 1841-1908
  http://www.photolondon.org.uk/directory.htm

  One of the best directories of its type and period and now free online. 

• Online Photo Fix
  http://www.onlinephotofix.com

  Restoration of your old photos over the internet.

• Francis Frith Collection
  http://www.frithphotos.com/pageloader.asp?page=/default.asp

  Search for old photos of your home or ancestral town.

• Date an old photo
  http://www.cartes.freeuk.com/time/date.htm

  Learn 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#Emigrants

  Concise start for those tracking your ancestors across the globe.

• Ancestors on Board
  http://www.ancestorsonboard.com

  Digitised 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.org

  Search the USA immigration records for Ellis Island 1892–1924 online for free here.

• Moving Here
  http://www.movinghere.org.uk

  The experiences and photographs of those who migrated here from overseas

• National Archives of Australia
  http://www.naa.gov.au

  For tracing Australian relatives and history

• Collections Canada
  http://www.collectionscanada.ca/index-e.html

  Indexes 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.pdf

  Searchable PDF booklet listing the resources available for Kiwi researchers by area.

• Child Migrant Information
  http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4006199

  Find 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/UI

  Look for your ancestors from the British Raj online now.

• US Wall of Honour
  http://www.wallofhonor.com

  Search online for free for immigrants to the US.

Old Maps

• Old Maps
  http://www.old-maps.co.uk

  Fully searchable, downloadable database of old UK maps.

• Maps of Scotland
  http://www.nls.uk/maps

  The National Library of Scotland site is usefully searchable by time, place or even by map engraver

• Surname Profiler
  http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk

  Find out the national distribution and statistics for your surname.

• Roots Map
  http://www.rootsmap.com

  Buy laminated maps with your surname distribution.

• MOTCO
  http://www.motco.com

  A large number of historic prints and maps you can download for use in family histories

• Family Atlas Free Trial
  http://www.familyatlas.com

  Have a go at using this excellent family history mapping program.

• Bodleian Map Room
  http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/guides/maps/maproom.htm

  Search the Bodleian’s excellent collection of historic maps.

• National Library of Wales – maps
  http://www.llgc.org.uk/index.php?id=collections02

  The guide to the library’s expansive collection.

• Booth’s Poverty Maps
  http://booth.lse.ac.uk

  Charles Booth’s maps of London in 1889 show the areas subject to the most poverty and greatest wealth.

• Street Map
  http:// www.streetmap.co.uk

  Find places on a modern map.

   

Occupations

• The Clergy of the Church of England
  http://www.theclergydatabase.org.uk

  Invaluable 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.uk

  The first stop for anyone looking for theatrical ancestors or forebears in the circus.

• Business Archives Council
  http://www.businessarchivescouncil.org.uk

  This organisation promotes and preserves business records for research purposes in the UK.

• The British Postal Museum and Archive
  http://postalheritage.org.uk

  Includes a partial catalogue of 50,000 items from this invaluable archive.

• Royal Bank of Scotland Archives
  http://tinyurl.com/2vkyeq

  For those with banking ancestors.

• All Footballers
  http://www.allfootballers.com

  Search this database for any British top flight or international footballer.

• National Police Roll of Honour
  http://www.policememorial.org.uk/NationalRoll/NationalRoll.htm

  Search for any officer who died in the line of duty.

• Cyndi’s List – Occupations
  http://www.cyndislist.com/occupatn.htm

  Contains links to many useful regional transcripts and indexes.

• British Red Cross
  http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=2623

  The place to look for tracing the history of anyone involved in this organisation.

• Working Class Movement Library
  http://www.wcml.org.uk/welcome.htm

  The online catalogue of this important Labour-connected collection.

Brick Walls

• Missing Ancestors
  http://www.missing-ancestors.com

  Find those sent to industrial or reformatory schools

• Strays index
  http://www.ffhs.org.uk/projects/strays.php

  The place to look for relatives who disappeared from their birth county.

• Online Deeds Index
  http://www.durtnall.org.uk

  A collection of abstract information garnered from a range of documents sold online.

• Old Handwriting
  http://www.amberskyline.com/treasuremaps/oldhand.html

  Excellent online tutorial for deciphering old handwritten documents.

• Elopement
  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/famrec/hlpsrch/sumrmar/runmar.html

  Find the records for those who ran away to Gretna Green.

Black Sheep

• Criminal Ancestors
  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=120

   TNA’s sources for tracing the black sheep of the family.

• Scottish Criminals
  http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/crime.asp

  Your complete guide to finding them.

• The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London 1674 to 1834
  http:// www.oldbaileyonline.org

  The records from this central London court are completely free to search.

• Black Sheep Ancestors
  http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/uk

  Search major record sets for your criminal ancestors free of charge.

• The Workhouse
  http://www.workhouses.org

  A detailed resource for those who had relatives consigned to these heinous places.

Find Living Relatives

• Norcap
  http://www.norcap.org.uk

  Helping adults deal with adoption – your first port of call for finding those adopted out.

• eRoll
  http://www.eroll.co.uk

  The official electoral roll site for the UK.

• Immigrant Ships Transcribers’ Guild
  http://www.immigrantships.net

  An 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.publisha

  Your first port of call for finding a number to match a name.

• Lost Cousins
  http://www.lostcousins.com

  Find 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.net

  Online version of reputable guide to gentry, with countless highbrow pedigrees.

• Medieval Genealogy
  http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk

  Useful tips for people lucky enough to have a family tree stretching back this far.

• College of Arms
  http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk

  Official repository of UK coats of arms and pedigrees.

• Heraldry
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry

  Understanding this historic art.

• A Grammar of Blazon
  http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/bruce.html

  A 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.htm

  The first available post-graduate diploma in genealogy – now taking applications for 2008.

• IGHS Correspondence Course
  http://www.ihgs.ac.uk/courses/correspondence.php

  Well respected and long-established courses available.

   

   

• National Institute for Genealogical Studies
  http://www.genealogicalstudies.com

  Canadian-based online taught-courses for enthusiasts and beginners.

• Genealogy Course and Family History Course Index
  http://www.my-history.co.uk/acatalog/Genealogy_Courses.html

  Find a local course near you with this My History sponsored site.

• Pharos Online Courses
  http://www.pharostutors.com

  Learn new skills online with this excellent course scheme.

   

Genetics

• Family Tree DNA
  http://www.familytreedna.com

  The leading American ‘deep ancestry’ company. Order your test online.

• Oxford Ancestors
  http://www.oxfordancestors.com

  Brian Sykes’ leading British site.

• Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation
  http://www.smgf.org

  The foremost collection of DNA results in the world. Where do yours fit?

• The International Society of Genetic Genealogy
  http://www.isogg.org

  Lots of information on getting your tests done and where to go next.

• DNA Ancestry
  http://dna.ancestry.com

  The brand new Ancestry.com-affiliated DNA service.

Tourism

• Visit Britain
  http://www.visitbritain.co.uk

  The official site of the UK tourist board – lots of info for the potential ancestral traveller.

• Ancestral Roots Travel
  http://www.ancestralrootstravel.com

  Leading tour company specialising in research trips and visits to ancestral homes around the UK.

• Leger Battlefield Tours
  http://battlefields.leger.co.uk

  FHM-affiliated couch tour company, specialising in tours of WWI and II battle regions.

• Bartletts Battlefield Journeys
  http://www.battlefields.co.uk

  Bespoke battlefield tour and research company, for those who prefer the personal touch.

• Ancestral Travel
  http://ancestraltravel.net

  A 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#0

  Buy your certificates online at the General Register Office site.

• Parish Chest
  http://www.parishchest.com

  Excellent one-stop-shopping site for all your genealogical requirements.

   

• FFHS Bookshop
  http://www.familyhistorybooks.co.uk

  The Federation of Family History Societies’ online store, with a variety of top titles.

• eBay
  http://www.ebay.co.uk

  A great place to pick up medals, maps, memorabilia and other second-hand excitements

• Eneclann
  http://www.eneclann.ie

  Books, CDs and other resources to help with your Irish research.

• S&N Genealogy supplies
  http://www.genealogysupplies.com

  The first people to stock genealogical software in the UK.

• Arcare
  http://www.arcare.com

  Help you to care for your documents and certificates with storage solutions.

• Arrowfile
  http://www.genealogyorganiser.com

  For all your storage needs.

• My History
  http://www.my-history.co.uk

  Selling an array of goodies, including books, maps and software.

• Family Traits
  http://www.familytraits.co.uk

  Useful professional research company.

Other Favourites

• Dick Eastman’s Blog
  http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy

  The leading genealogy blog – keep up to date on all the latest views and reviews.

• Family History Fairs
  http://www.familyhistoryfairs.com

  All the upcoming regional fairs are listed here.

• George Cross Database
  http://www.gc-database.co.uk

  A list of all the recipients of this medal – the highest civilian honour.

• BMD index; RootsUK
  http://www.bmdindex.co.uk; www.rootsuk.com

   A pair of useful and inexpensive resources.

• Origination
  http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/O/origination

  Links to pages about the history and heritage of Black and Asian peoples in Britain.

• Moving History
  http://www.movinghistory.ac.uk

  A 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.uk

  Keep an eye on this site for updates relating to the 2011 census.

• Nations Memory Bank
  http://www.nationsmemorybank.com/editorial/about.html

  Upload your memories at this living history site.

• History4U
  http://www.history4u.info

  From our 'What's It For' specialist, a website that offers assistance on all manner of Bristol research...