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Have You Ever Wondered Where You Come From?

As you sit there chatting to relatives about the past, you may start to wonder who your ancestors were. Were they famous or just ordinary people? Where did they live, in this country or miles away.

Just by talking to older members of your family, you may be able to go back as far as four generations. By doing more research, using census records, you will be able to trace your ancestors back further. As you can well imagine, this will take time and dedication.

The easiest and quickest way to research your family tree is by using the internet. There are lots of sites that help you track your ancestors, some even have a membership that allows you to interact with potential family members.

Census records can be obtained, at a small fee, online. Census records are released after 100 years. Names of potential ancestors are available from 1841. The latest census is the 1901 census which has every record of birth, marriage and death up to 2001.

For ancestors further back than 1841 you will need to search parish records that are held in county halls or, if the person was christened, church records could help. The more you know about an ancestor, the easier it is to find them.

Happy hunting!

Article by Tracey Aldous