Family Tree UK

Learn how to trace your family tree! Every issue is packed with: family history research advice hands-on learning experiences to help you become an ancestor super-sleuth & step-by-step guides to show you the path to tracing the past. From vintage documents to the latest in DNA, we’re here to help you discover more! Get the latest in genealogy news, software, books, archives and expert answers. Plus enjoy those reader stories that remind what it means to trace your family story. Research & remember your roots with Family Tree!

What were you doing 40 years ago? Was it family-history related?

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Celebrating 40 years of Family Tree

Heredis 2025: new software out

93 million new Theories of Family Relativity from MyHeritage DNA

A.I. grants for library, museum & archive innovation

23andMe board steps down en masse • On Tuesday 17 September 2024 all seven members of the 23andMe board stepped down, leaving solely the CEO Anne Wojcicki at the helm

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & GENEALOGY • Over the last 20 years various new technologies have come along to aid us in our ancestral pursuits, from the emergence of digital records platforms to the groundbreaking influence of DNA platforms, writes Chris Paton. The latest evolution in the digital world is one that promises a lot in certain regards, but, as with all technologies, there may also be downsides to consider. Welcome to the new world of ‘Artificial Intelligence’, more simply known as ‘AI’.

Finding your way around FINDMYPAST • In this step-by-step article, genealogist Jude Rhodes helps beginners and more experienced users alike to make the most of Findmypast’s vast resources

HIT A FAMILY TREE BRICKWALL? • Family Tree has the information and inspiration you need to smash it down and find your elusive ancestors

FREE, FRUGAL & FUN: time- & money-saving tips, tools & tactics • Alison Spring takes us through some useful tips for saving time and money in our quest to track down our ancestors

5 TOP TACTICS • Here, Alison recommends the best tools for enabling us to get the most out of our family history searches.

The life of a 19TH CENTURY SOLDIER • This month, David Annal tells us about George Cooper, and explores the records we can use to trace the lives of 19th century military men like him

HOME SWEET HOME • Gill Shaw turns her attention to house history and her 2x great-aunt Catherine Mary’s practically palatial home

Digging deeper & DECODING THE NATIONAL REGISTER RECORDS • Many of you will be familiar with the 1939 Register for England and Wales, but how much do you know about how the registers were used and updated? Richard Holt explains some of the history behind these records and helps you access additional information

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY • Like a number of other family history societies, the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society began life in 1974 and so celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. Susan Lester reports on the society’s starting point five decades ago, the celebrations in 2024, and the society’s Special Golden Jubilee Membership offer

Your DNA questions ANSWERED! • Is Ancestry’s SideView reliable? Have I identified my great-grandfather at last? What sort of DNA test can help me make that long-wished for link? DNA Advisor Karen Evans helps readers with their DNA difficulties …

WITCH-HUNTS during the Little Ice Age • Family historians may be dismayed to find some of their ancestors were accused of – or even executed for witchcraft – or were in some way involved in the proceedings and outcomes of historic witch trials. Wayne Shepheard and Karin Helmstaedt investigate …

WARTIME TRAUMA The life of George Smith, ARP warden...