Sarah Williams Editor sarah.williams@ourmedia.co.uk
When we launched Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine in 2007, I remember talking to someone prominent in the world of family history who said that we would never reach a point where all parish registers in the UK were digitised, because there were just too many of them. Now, although we are still a long way from seeing every register digitised, it certainly doesn’t look like an impossible task. On page 14 we explain what has been digitised and put online, and where you need to search to find your family in the records. Parish register collections are scattered across numerous websites, so we have put this guide together to help you locate the baptisms, marriages and burials that mark a life lived. We also have a touch of inspiration for anyone researching their rural ancestors with our guide to agricultural prizes on page 20 (do write in if you find any winners in your family), and if they lived in Devon, ‘Around Britain’ on page 61 will help you trace them.
I love it when new records go online. If you had an ancestor who was a British Army officer, then a recent record release may help you learn more about their family (see page 38) and the new collection of British Home Children records on page 10 also looks fascinating. No matter who your family were, we’re here to help you find them!
CONTRIBUTORS
JONATHAN SCOTT
Every month Jonathan writes our ‘Around Britain’ and ‘Best Websites’ articles, but this month he also tours the web to find online parish registers. Read more on page 14.
NICOLA MORRIS
Nicola is a consultant genealogist and lecturer in Ireland, and has researched for the Who Do You Think You Are? TV series. On page 29 she shares her Irish newspaper search tips.
DR ANGELA BUCKLEY
On page 54 crime historian and author Dr Angela Buckley shares her insights on crime and punishment in the Victorian era. Find out more about Angela at drangelabuckley.com.
SARAH’S TOP TIP
