To start, you need some basic information: full name (and maiden names), dates and places of birth, marriage and (if applicable) death their parents and grandparents. If you do not have precise information, then try to get as close as you can. For example, a year or a year for a range date of birth can be helpful because it reduces the number of potential outcomes when you come to find.

Then you need to subscribe a research site as the Ancestry.com family tree (or co.uk). Many offer free trials. There are plenty of helpful free sites, but sites subscription offer the best range of resources, since they have the buying power to bid for them. Create a tree by entering the data you have and then searches the records. Ancestry search automatically entered, and suggests the possibilities (with a very high success rate). Add ancestors and facts about them as you go. Always support to each entry in the profile of an individual with documentary evidence.

At some point in your research, you may need to order certificates such as certificates Birth to discover the maiden name of mother of an individual to determine who that person is the parent's marriage. These can be ordered from the Registry General.

After the birth / marriage, death (BMD) of the records, the useful resources of the day, recording the census. In Britain, these were mandatory and nationwide in 1841, and has been held every ten years since (the 1911 England and Wales censuses to be the line that can be searched more recent). Census records differ in the information they have. 1841, for example, is unique in that it will not make the connection with the head of household (eg wife, daughter, etc.), and will not say where exactly he was born someone (either "yes / no" under "if born in the county), and 1911 will be very kindly say how long a couple has been married (very useful for reducing their year of marriage).

When you have back to the early nineteenth century out of reach official census and BMD records, parish registers become the next place to look. A large number of these have been transcribed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Saints Latter Days, and can be searched for free on familysearch.com. When you have identified a record, the microfiche index is provided, if you want to visit one of his many family history centers throughout the country to see, capture and save a copy of the original document. If the roll of microfilm particular, it is done at your local FHC, you may request to be sent there for a small fee.

Many people want to research more than the bare facts of his ancestry. Some "meat from the bones' is what really makes an interesting family history. Fortunately, a lot of resources have been digitized and made available public: military records, passenger lists, phone books, to name a few.

It should be noted that records of Scotland are occupied by people of Scotland. Your site is searchable by buying credits. Many of their BMD records can be downloaded directly and offer a search service very detailed.

Finally, you may want to consider using a genealogist. Researchers professional family tree can often achieve good results many times faster than a beginner and know where to find (and have paid for access to) a wide range of resources.

Top advice

• Beware of name variations, alternatives, etc. and try all possibilities in the search criteria, abbreviations such as 'Thos' Thomas are very common in census results
• Mal the transcribed data is the bane of the life of a researcher. Do not assume that every record has been proof read and corrected by a competent person. It is not uncommon for data to be the result of an analysis of a hard copy through the questionable text Processing software jargon, and therefore unexpected left by human eyes
• Start with a narrow focus in their searches and expand with them if they do not succeed
• If you get stuck, try posting a query on a message board. It is very possible that someone could help
• They take advantage of other people's research. The further back you go, it's likely that his research agree with another person. But beware: not everyone is so diligent in their monitoring role. Always try to find a source document
• Do not take notes of your searches. If you ever hang and the need to hire a professional genealogist, then you can avoid duplication of letting the researcher know what you have already tried

Useful links

href = "http://www.ancestry.co.uk"> Ancestry.co.uk
href = "http://www.familysearch.org"> Search family
Ian McArthur Genealogist

I am a professional genealogist who can research Britain-based family trees according to personal requirements. I have had many years’ experience in research and have access to a wide array of resources, particularly those relating to London, which is where I live.

Ian McArthur Genealogist
http://www.ianmcarthur.org.uk

Petula Clark – Don’t Sleep In The Subway- cover tribute

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