Advice on how to trace your family tree in the UK

Family tree tracking can be time-consuming, but it’s a rewarding hobby. Don’t underestimate the thrill of finding results & unlocking your past heritage.

How to trace your family tree in the UK?

Here is our step-by-step guide to tracing your family tree in the UK

1. It’s best to start with yourself and then work backwards

Use your knowledge of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to begin this process. This initial fact-finding will provide a starting point for starting the next level of research.

2. Ask your family members

Talk to your family; starting with an elderly relative might be a good idea. You should be able to create a simple family tree from the information you gather from your relatives. This primary research can form the basis for further digging at the next stage. Don’t worry too much if there are still gaps in your tree, such as maiden names or place of birth; at this point, further investigation can fill them.

3. Use online research tools

It’s best to start with sites such as Ancestry, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage. Start by entering all the information you know about one of your relatives: their full name, place of residence, date of birth (if you know it), and you can get started! The easiest thing to do is start with a census and a register. You can use the census records to get the names of the rest of your family living at your home address. This way, you can follow new clues and expand your family tree.

4. Use other people’s research

You may also find that you can share part of your research if your work overlaps with others’ when looking at online research tools. This is just one reason to connect with people linked to your family tree through primary online research tools like Ancestry and FindMyPast.

5. Request evidence from Births, Marriages and Deaths directories.

Birth, Marriage, and Death (BMD) usage records can be helpful if you need to confirm previous research results or are stuck at a dead end. You can look up the information or request a copy of the certificate for a small fee. These certificates can provide a lot of information to further your research, point it back in the right direction or confirm whether you are off course.

6. Search parish records and visit churchyards.

Online resources help you find tombstones, but these can be fairly limited. If you run out of online resources, it’s a good idea to look at church records or visit churchyards. Searching the graveyard and finding one or more tombstones gives your desk research a firm reality. As you read the stone, you may feel a connection with the people behind the name, and it will also allow you to visit the area they lived in.

You can learn a lot about your family by following these steps. However, you can still get stuck. If you want to know more, consider hiring a specialist to assist you in your research.

Can you hire someone to trace your family tree?

Hiring a professional genealogist is a great way to discover your family’s roots. If you encounter a challenging research problem, lack the skills or time to study, or are concerned about travelling, you can get the help of an experienced professional.

How much is it to hire a genealogist?

Many genealogists in the UK work on an hourly or fixed basis. Hourly wages are usually £15 to £50 cost per hour, but currently, the average is around £20 to £30 per hour plus any expenses incurred.

Is hiring a genealogist worth it?

If you can’t access local records, translate documents into foreign languages, or interpret DNA results, it makes sense to hire a genealogist. Even if you have a lot of relevant expertise, it makes sense to hire a genealogist if you don’t have time to work on your family tree.

Leaving a legacy to your family

Why not share what you uncover with your family, to help make your research have a bigger impact? This research can be presented in many ways, including:

• Creating a report
• Giving a presentation
• Starting a blog documenting your family history
• Hosting a family reunion
• Creating a memory book

Don’t forget to add your own story! Let’s start with the basics. Where were you born, what were your first memories, and where did you go to school? Add each story as you remember them. It’s never too late to start a journal. Think about how grateful your future descendants would be!

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