Five easy ways to find your Ancestors
Our MasterSearch can help you quickly find the information you’re looking for by narrowing down your search to a particular type of data, and further filtering the results to only include certain record sets, years or spellings.
1
Address
Search for a specific address by county and street name, e.g. Park Avenue
2
Keywords
Search for a person using keywords such as their occupation, e.g. farmer
3
Family
Search for a family by forename and surname, e.g. John, Emma and Mark Smith
4
Map
Explorer
Pinpoint your Ancestors’ records using georeferenced historic maps
5
Related Records
SmartSearch finds related records for you, e.g. children from a marriage record
Start building your
family tree today
TreeView is our powerful family tree builder. Whether you're an experienced family historian or just starting out, you'll find TreeView easy to use and an essential tool in your research. Record your family's history and view details of your ancestors in a number of different and attractive ways. Create beautiful charts and detailed reports to present your family tree.
Genealogy’s Best
Mapping Website
Our exclusive Map Explorer adds a rich functionality to our ever-growing collection of map-based records. This great tool uses georeferenced historic maps that overlay several modern background maps including Ordnance Survey, Open Street Map or Bing road and satellite views.
The tools panel allows you to search for Modern and Historic Places, County and Parish Boundary Indicators, and offers the ability to manipulate the map layers, making it easier to pin-point the information you require.
Map Layers
The maps are divided into three types of layer that can be viewed on top of each other like sheets of paper. You can then change the transparency of a layer to view the layers below, allowing you to see how the area changed over time.
The Base Layer
This is the modern layer, which can be used to select a modern OS Map, Open Street Map or a Bing Satellite Image.
The Historic Layer
The historic layer can be used to select a range of Ordnance Survey maps from the 1890s to the 1960s.
The Record Set Layer
This layer provides access to the map-based record sets such as the 1910 Lloyd George Domesday Survey, or our georeferenced Tithe Maps. The map markers link directly to records for the individual properties beneath, so you can see who was living there when the record was taken.
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Find exactly what you’re looking for by refining your search with event filters and keywords.
Records from 1127–2005
Our vast collection spans more than 870 years of record transcripts and images.
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We’re the official site for Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Records with over 8 Million records available.
Census transcripts and Images 1841 to 1911
Access to all transcripts and images from 1841–1911 for England and Wales and 1841–1901 for Scotland.
Military Records – WW1, WW2, Casualty Lists, PoWs, and more
Ancestors who served in the forces may be hard to find. We have many military lists ranging from 1661–1944.
Extensive Collection of Parish Records
Search parish register transcripts and images from 43 counties, which can take your family back as far as 1538.
Extensive Collection of Trade and TelepPhone Directories
A collection of over 400 Directories provides insights into the lives of ancestors who had their own businesses.
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News and Events
Latest News
Explore the 1841 Census like never before on Map Explorer
30th September 2024
We are excited to announce that the 1841 census, the first modern census of England, Scotland and Wales, has now been added to our cutting-edge MapExplorerTM tool. This significant addition allows family historians and researchers to delve deeper into their ancestral past with unprecedented …
New 1910 Lloyd George Domesday Records for Wiltshire
12th September 2024
We are excited to announce the release of the 1910 Lloyd George Domesday records and geolocated maps for the entire county of Wiltshire, covering an impressive 1,346 square miles and containing information on more than 175,000 individuals and organisations.
The Lloyd George Domesday records, also …
New Historic Landowner Records Released
30th August 2024
We are excited to announce the release of historic landowner records. The new additions consist of Feet of Fines, Index of Sasines, and the Scotland Record Office Index to Register of Deeds, offering a wealth of information for those delving into their ancestry.
Family history research often requires scouring …
Over 25,000 Individuals Added to Commemorate WWI
9th August 2024
To mark the 110th anniversary of the start of World War I, we are proud to announce the release of an extensive collection of military records featuring the global conflict. This significant release includes service records, rolls of honour, and books of remembrance from schools, places, and …
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The Family History Show, London!
Saturday 5th October 2024
10:00 –16:00 (GMT)
Put your research questions to an expert, watch a talk, speak to a local society, archive or genealogical supplier.
- Free talks all day, held in a large lecture hall.
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- Many family history societies, archives and companies will be attending from all over the country.
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Featured Article
Eliza Roberts: A Forgotten Pioneer in Nursing
27th September 2024
In the annals of nursing history, few names carry the weight of Florence Nightingale. Yet, alongside Nightingale's extraordinary contributions stands Eliza Roberts, a remarkable woman whose unwavering dedication to the care of soldiers during the Crimean War helped shape the future of nursing. Her story, though often overshadowed, is one of resilience, grit, and sacrifice. A working-class woman, Roberts rose from obscurity to play a vital role in one of the most transformative moments in medical history. Her life and work speak to the unsung heroes who, without fanfare, changed the world.
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