Books for Beginners

Baptism records are important they often provide the only written record of an ancestor’s early life.  However, baptism has never been compulsory by law in the British Isles so, although most Christian and Jewish people were baptised at some stage…..

(Rita Hirst)  An explanation of where records are likely to be deposited.  Family History research within the county can be complicated as more than one repository may be involved in research into the records of a single parish. Consideration is…..

(Tom Wood)  This updated edition of the booklet about using record offices includes sections on preparations beforehand, reserving a research place, dos and don?ts, rules and regulations, using your time efficiently, getting help, making notes, and alternatives to County Record…..

(Iain Swinnerton)  Many families possess documents or artefacts which can help to put together names, dates and places for our ancestors. A surprising number of everyday objects around the house can give us vital information about our ancestors, and the…..

(Audrey Collins)  This useful booklet explains the uses of wills and administration to family historians, and gives information on District Probate Registries, indexes held elsewhere, and ordering copies by post. There is also a section on the new search room…..

(Richard Ratcliffe)  The Wesleyan Methodist Historic Roll is a unique set of fifty large leather-bound volumes, which are located at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. This contains the names of over one million people who donated a guinea to the…..

(Iain Swinnerton)  Heraldry can be very useful to the family historian as it can show marriage alliances, descents and occupations; it has rightly been called the shorthand of history. The booklet sets out to explain the basic principles of heraldry…..