Focus on Family History
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More and more people are discovering the addictive pleasure of tracking down their own family history, but how do you start and how do you keep going? There are a number of ways you can find out how to research your family history or develop your skills further.
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Find out more ..........on the internet
There are many websites giving background information and tips to help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to do family history research. The websites below have lots of useful information to get you started and keep you going.
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The BBC family history website is a rich resource designed to help you explore your family’s past. Learn the basics of starting your own research and begin to uncover your family history with the Get Started section And once you’ve mastered the basics learn how to overcome frustrating dead ends and take your research even further in the Next Steps section. |
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The National Archives is the UK government's official archive making open records available to all, either onsite or online and continuously developing new tools to make history tangible for everyone. The Getting Started section gives information on how to research your family, local or house history; how to read old handwriting and more. |
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A "virtual reference library" of UK genealogical information including a Get started in genealogy section and Frequently Asked Questions.
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Many more family history websites are listed on Library Services Web Links page
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Find out more .......... from books
Leicestershire Library Services has a wide range of books to help you start and develop your family history.
Books are normally shelved within the local studies collections.
A selection of books on how to get started
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David Annal Easy Family History: The stress free guide to starting your research 929.1
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Anton Gill & Nick Barrett Who Do You Think You Are : Trace your family back to the tudors 929.1
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Mark Herber Ancestral Trails : The complete guide to British genealogy and family history 929.1072
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David Hey Oxford Companion to Local and Family History 929.1072
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Diane Marelli The Beginner’s Guide to Tracing Your Roots 929.1
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John Richardson The Local Historian’s Encyclopedia 942.003
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Dan Waddell Who Do You Think You Are : The essential guide to tracing your family history 929.1
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A selection of books to help you trace your family history on the internet
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Peter Christian The Genealogist’s Internet 929.1025
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Diane Marelli @ Home with Your Ancestors.com: How to research family history on the internet 929.1
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Colin Waters Family History on the Internet 929.1
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Books on a selection of family history topics.
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Census
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Edward Higgs Making Sense of the Census Revisited: Census Records 1801- 1901 929.342
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Civil registration
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Using birth, marriage and death records (Pocket guides to family history) 929.3
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Emigration
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Kershaw, Roger Emigrants and Expats: A guide to sources on UK emigration and residents overseas 929.341
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House history
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Barrett, Nick Tracing the History of Your House 728.09
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Irish ancestors
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Ian Maxwell Tracing your Irish Ancestors: An essential guide to researching and documenting the family histories of Ireland's people 929.1
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London ancestors
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Webb, Cliff My Ancestors Were Londoners 929.3421
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Military history
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Beckett, I.F.W. The First World War: The essential guide to sources in the UK National Archives 940.3016
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Military history
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William Spencer Army Records: A Guide for family historians 929.41
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Names
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John Titford Searching for Surnames 929.42
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National Archives
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Amanda Bevan Tracing Your Ancestor in the National Archives 929.1072
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Trades
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Colin Waters Dictionary of Old Trades, Titles and Occupations 331.7
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Workhouse
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Simon Fowler Workhouse: The people, the places, the life behind doors 362.585
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Look for other books on family history on the
online catalogue or ask library staff to help with further suggestions.
All of the books listed above can be requested at your library. They can also be requested through the
online reservation service if you have a library card and a PIN. There is a charge for this service.
Take it further..........
......go on a course, taster session or workshop
- ‘Family History for Beginners’ events are held in major libraries twice a year – see the Events Guide (available in all libraries) or ask at your library for details.
- Leicestershire Adult Learning Service run family history courses across the county. Search for courses online or phone 0800 988 0308 for details.
- Some libraries offer ‘Family History on the Internet’ taster sessions – ask at your library.
- The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland runs family history workshops. Contact them on 0116 257 1080 for details.
......join a family history society
Joining a society will give you access to the experience of others and the opportunity to attend meetings and learn new skills.
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Local groups in Loughborough, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray and Hinckley.
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The Society of Genealogists runs courses and publishes a quarterly magazine and a wide range of books on family history. |
Major county libraries and
The Record Office hold a wealth of resources in their local and family history collections to help you with your research. See the 'Family History and Local Studies at your library' leaflet for more information. Pick up a copy from your library or download a copy.
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