We’ve been running our ‘Boxes’ TV ads for a while now. I’m sure most of you have seen them – with the animated vines and leaves, and the iconic Ancestry box. One of the key phrases in these ads is ‘Exploring your family’s past has never been easier’. I’ve always been delighted that this line… Read more
I have been exploring the records of the Foundling Hospital since the 1980s – and still enjoy every minute of the time I spend on them. Recent work on tokens that parents left at the Hospital with their babies as identifiers 250 years ago shows that the system in place was a simple one and… Read more
The predicted bad weather will be a rare opportunity to explore new records about my London-based ancestors. So many new records are now available for London on Ancestry.co.uk that a quick foray shows me I can add lots of data to what was previously exhausted research. To start things off nicely I have found a… Read more
Last weekend, I wrote about looking for a character in my tree that I was struggling with. I spent some much-needed time over the Bank Holiday researching him. As a reminder this is what I knew of him. Alexander Cumberbatche paid to become a Freeman of the City of Bristol on 17th May 1618. He… Read more
The long Easter weekend is coming. A four-day weekend can be a precious opportunity to get things done. Traditionally it coincides with the start of the DIY season and bringing our gardens back under control. Do spare a little time for your family history research though. This weekend you can enjoy free access to the… Read more
Free access – 1911 & 1901 Census Records – All Bank Holiday weekend! Many of my earliest memories centre around my grandparents. I remember their enormous conservatory, the ancient grandfather clock that woke me up every time I stayed over, and especially their unruly pack of long-haired dachshunds. But despite all the time I spent… Read more
I was nearing the end of my stint as an Ancestry Advocate on the stand at WDYTYA 2013, when a lady asked me to ‘help her find out where she had gone wrong’. … Let’s face it, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? She had obviously spent a great deal of time and money tracing… Read more
For me and my fellow Ancestry Advocates, the thrill of discovery isn’t just connected to our own family trees. Many of us have also researched the trees of our spouses as well as friends and near neighbours. Some have even offered their research skills as a charity auction item for strangers! Whoever we are researching,… Read more
Who Do You Think You Are? Live is now upon us (22nd – 24thFebruary) and as always, there are lots of exciting and interesting things to see and do this year, so we wanted to let you know what we’ve got happening at the show then you can plan you day. So, grab your candy floss… Read more
Who Do You Think You Are? Live will soon be upon us (22nd – 24thFebruary) and as always, there are lots of exciting and interesting things to see and do this year, so we wanted to let you know what we’ve got happening at the show then you can plan you day. So, grab your candy… Read more