When you trace your family tree, it's to tell your own unique story, full of colourful, real-life
characters from the past. And no matter how run-of-the-mill your family might appear, each
has its intrigues and well-kept secrets!
This guide aims to give an introduction to uncovering your family history. It also helps to
demystify the internet as a tool for tracing your family tree. It's a useful overview for anyone
who has ever wondered who they are and where they come from.
The recording and retelling of our family histories
is one of mankind's oldest traditions – first through
word of mouth, later through written records and
most recently through websites – the stories of our
ancestors' trials and triumphs has shaped our
culture and our perspective on the world. In the
20th century migration of people away from their
extended families and the dominance of television,
games console and computers in the family home
threatened the passing on of our family memories
across generations. In the last few years, however,
one of our most powerful technological inventions
the internet is serving as a tool for us to protect and
reconnect with our personal histories.
Why is family history so popular these days? For
there is no ignoring a hobby which is beaten only
by those less family-oriented pursuits of pornography
and gambling as the most searched-for services on
the internet. According to recent research three
in four UK adults are interested in discovering
their family history.
