Family history resources
Genealogy Research
Guides
Practical guidance for tracing ancestors, understanding historical records and getting more from your family history research.
Practical genealogy help
Research guides and practical advice
Explore practical guides, research methods, archive advice, record collections and case studies designed to help you investigate family history questions and make sense of the evidence you find.
How to Use Antenati for Italian Genealogy
A practical walkthrough of searching Italian civil records by name and place, browsing registers and using indexes to locate an 1882 birth record.
Read guide → CumbriaHow to Trace Ancestors in Cumberland and Cumbria
Historic county names, useful record sets and the local context that can unlock a Cumbrian family line.
Read guide → ArchivesWhich Cumbria Archive Centre Holds the Records?
An introduction to Carlisle, Whitehaven, Kendal and Barrow and how their collecting areas differ.
Read guide → Getting startedHiring a Professional Genealogist: What to Expect
How to frame your question, prepare your evidence and understand the research report you receive.
Read guide →Need research rather than a general guide?
I provide focused research plans, evidence-led investigation and clearly sourced reports.
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