General Guides

Atlas and Index of Parish Registers

C.R. Humphery-Smith ed. (2003)

The 3rd edition of this now indispensable Phillimore Atlas incorporating new and updated material. It includes parish maps, topographical maps and indexes summarising the whereabouts of original registers and many finding aids. Changes from the last edition include the addition of details of local census indexes for each parish for 1841-1891 as well as the names of the registration districts covering each parish for the period 1837-1851.

The maps in the Atlas can be purchased separately and more details are available through the page http://www.ihgs.ac.uk/shop/index.php/ihgsmaps .

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Ancestral Trails

M.D. Herber (2004)

The second edition of this comprehensive guide to tracing British ancestry.

This unique book sets out to guide the family historian through the intricacies of British records. It provides detailed views of the archives and sources available. Each type of record, such as personal recollections, photographs, newspapers and other material is dealt with, in addition to the more usual civil, religious and legal records. The book includes research in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

This book will benefit both the beginner and those who are already well advanced in their research.

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An Introduction to Tracing your German Ancestors

P. Towey (2002)

Discover how to trace people from German speaking Europe who came to Great Britain and identify the records to use.

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Dictionary of Genealogy

T. Fitzhugh (1998)

An illustrated dictionary of genealogical terms and sources. Extremely usefulness as a rapid reference to any word or record.

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DNA for Family Historians

A. Savin (2000)

A clear account of the complicated subject of showing relationships by DNA testing.

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Family History Companion

M Pearsall (2007)

An easy to use and compact A-Z handbook for family historians. Published by The National Archives, it summarizes terms, topics, sources and record types from medieval times to the present, explaining how and why they can help your own research. Equally suited to browsing or quick reference, it combines wide-ranging knowledge with practical tips and advice.

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Family History in the Genes

C. Pomery (2007)

This clear, concise and up-to-the-minute guide shows what genetics can do for anyone in search of their ancestors, including linking people with the same surname, unravelling clan relationships and exploring the genetic profile of individuals, locations and regions. It offers practical advice on the DNA tests available including the y-chromosome, mitochondrial and ancestry tests, helping you to choose the right test and use the results effectively.

Part One explains what a Y-chromosome DNA test is and why genetic genealogy is so interesting. Briefly explaining the science behind DNA testing, the book outlines the impact on our understanding of our 'deep ancestry' and our surname. Part Two explains the different types of scenario that family history researchers face that a DNA test can help you to resolve, together with examples of successful projects for each type. Part Three is a practical handbook. It explains how to 'read' your own DNA test result, how to organize a DNA project, how to choose the best testing company, and how to interpret, publish and present your project's results.

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Family History on the Move

Roger Kershaw & Mark Pearsall (2006)

This book describes those movements into, within, and out of the UK from the sixteenth century to the present day, and shows readers which records to consult to track down their mobile ancestors. The chapters are interwoven with practical features on issues that could crop up during research and case studies to illustrate the sources.

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Family Ties and English Families

M. Abbot (1993)

Diaries, letters and other sources used for a lively social history of the family.

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Family Tree Detective

C.D. Rogers (2008)

The long-awaited fourth edition of this best-selling manual continues to offer up-to-date guidance both to newcomers and to the more experienced, on how to make best use of the labyrinth of genealogical sources in England and Wales.

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Pitfalls and Possibilities

P. Litton (2010)

Based on a series of articles with the same title published in Family Tree Magazine, updated and expanded, it is not a book on 'how to do your family tree.' Rather it suggests unexplored avenues and additional sources which you may not have considered. Possible errors and omissions in original records, transcriptions and indexes - often caused by poor handwriting, inconsistent spelling and regional accents - are described and illustrated.

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Practice Makes Perfect

(1993)

Based on the Institute's Graded Assessment Tests this workbook contains exercises covering a range of topics and is intended to test genealogical knowledge and skill in a comprehensive and enjoyable way.

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Sources for Local Historians

Paul Carter &Kate Thompson (2005)

Many family historians will wish to discover more about the places their ancestors lived as this helps to give an understanding of their everyday life. This book introduces the reader to the enormous range of documents available for the local and family historian, many of them unknown to all but a few academic historians. The chapters are arranged thematically and deal with subjects such as the land, the people, poverty, health, crime and family life. An useful guide for the local or family historian needing to consult original documents.

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Tracing Missing Persons

C.D. Rogers (1986)

An introduction to agencies, methods and sources in England and Wales which can assist one individual to find another. Ranging from adoption societies and the Social Services to the Police and the Salvation Army.

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Who Do You Think You Are? Encyclopedia of Genealogy

N Barrett (2008)

Covering all access levels, from the new beginner to the more experienced researcher, the Encyclopedia of Genealogy is a comprehensive guide to tracing your family history.

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World We Have Lost - Further Explored

P. Laslett (1983)

A very interesting series of chapters detailing the studies conducted on such topics as rates of migration, literacy, illegitimacy, mortality and age at marriage, all in pre-industrial Britain. "The World We Have Lost will remain our classic guide to the lost world of the past, a tribute to one of the great pioneering imaginative historians of our time" (New Society)

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Women's Lives: Researching Women's Social History 1800-1939

J. Newby (2011)

A useful handbook for family historians, as well as an engaging read for social history lovers, each chapter focuses on a different group, with suggestions for further reading and a helpful timeline.

If you want to trace female ancestors or simply discover more about how women lived in the past, then this book is ideal to help you get started with your own research.

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