Research Methods

What Census Records Can Reveal About Your Ancestors’ Lives

Census records offer one of the richest windows into the lives of our ancestors. Taken every ten years, they reveal households, occupations, and changing family lives across generations. This article explores what the UK censuses from 1841 to 1921 can tell us, and how a single return can help bring family history to life.

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Mistake #1: Trusting Other People’s Family Trees

When I first started my family tree, I thought I was being careful—until I trusted a well-researched tree that quietly sent an entire branch in the wrong direction. Two first cousins, the same name, the same birth year, and the same village.
Read the blog to see how I untangled it—and what I learned along the way.

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How to Start Your Family History Journey in 2026

A practical introduction to family history research, focused on taking the first step, where to begin, and how to start building your family story step by step.

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How AI Tools Can Support Family History Research

A reflective post about the role AI tools can play in family history research. Used thoughtfully, they can help us plan next steps, explore historical context, organise notes, and shape family stories. They don’t replace original records or careful research — but they can offer guidance, inspiration, and a fresh way of thinking along the research journey.

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When “Ap” Goes Wrong: Welsh Patronymics and the Perils of Modern Transcription

Welsh patronymic naming is frequently misunderstood by modern indexes. Two Selattyn baptisms show how transcription errors can mislead genealogy research.

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