Guides by Daisy Goddard

The Battle of the Somme was one of the First World War's most devastating campaigns. Every British family and community was impacted. Exploring the records left behind can help you understand your ancestors' experiences in poignant detail.

Almost every family has a connection to the Great War. With millions of digitised records available online, tracing a First World War ancestor is easier than ever. Simply follow these 5 simple steps.

Wildcard search tools can help you find family history records when names, places or other details have been recorded differently. By using a wildcard search strategy, you can account for spelling variations and transcription errors that might otherwise be missed.

Adding nicknames in a family tree can help capture more of your ancestor’s personality, preserve family traditions, and make it easier for relatives to recognise familiar names.

Although paupers’ burials were often simple and unmarked, there are still many records that can help you discover where someone was buried.

Whether your ancestor served during wartime or peacetime, discovering which ship they served on can help bring their story to life.

In genealogy, 'ward' often refers to someone who was under the protection, supervision, or legal responsibility of another person or institution. Digging for more information can help you gain valuable insight on your ancestor's life.

The best genealogy site for Irish research often depends on what you’re looking for. Some websites specialise in free civil records, while others offer access to newspapers or parish records. Using a mix of sources is usually the best approach.

Whether your ancestor served in the British Army, Royal Navy, or Royal Air Force, tracing their service records can help you uncover an important chapter of your family history.

Apprenticeship records can unlock the early working lives of your ancestors, revealing how they learned their trade and where their careers began.