Q & a

Q I’m researching my Howell/Willington ancestors. In the 1891 census, Hannah Howell, 50, widow lived at 77 Leabrook Road, Wednesbury, with her granddaughter Hannah Howell, seven. In 1901, Hannah is at

In this age of algorithms and ‘artificial intelligence’, when the major commercial genealogical websites are all trying to persuade us that the best way to trace our family trees is to follow their hi

As many of my roots are in Suffolk I was interested to read your recent article on Suffolk resources. I was not previously aware of the Suffolk Records Society so will look into their holdings with in

Q I’ve been struggling with understanding why my illegitimate 2x great-grandfather born 1857 was with a family (Walker) seemingly unconnected to his own, as a boarder, on the 1861 census (along with a

I was pleased to see you included the Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) (www. irishancestors.ie/) in your Family History Handbook 2026. However you have categorised us as only covering the Re

How do you research your family history when you’re adopted? Do you follow the lines of your biological parents, assuming you know who they are, or do you investigate your adopted parents’ families? K