Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine not only explores the stories behind the popular BBC genealogy TV series, but also helps you uncover your own roots. Each issue is packed with practical advice to help you track down family history archives and get the most out of online resources, alongside features on what life was like in the past and the historic events that affected our ancestors.

Welcome

SARAH'S TOP TIP • Don’t rely on website algorithms to cope with alternative spellings

CONTRIBUTORS

Letters

WILL POWER

Who Do You Think You Are?

Findmypast adds 25 million Manchester electoral registers

Society of Genealogists reopens at new premises

NEWS IN BRIEF

CAN YOU HELP?

Organisers of genetic genealogy conference appeal for papers

£9,200

WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED • Alan Crosby reflects on what Christmas carols meant to our forebears

12 CHRISTMAS PROJECTS • WDYTYA? Magazine editor Sarah Williams shares a dozen ideas to keep you busy across the Christmas and New Year period, and ensure you get more from your family history in 2024

CHRISTMAS QUIZ • You can find all of the answers to our festive brainteasers on page 71

'MY RELATION SURVIVED A VICTORIAN REFORM SCHOOL' • Mary Jones is enthralled by the story of her relative Michael Collins, who endured famine, poverty and imprisonment before making a fresh start in life.

RESOURCES • These resources helped Mary uncover Michael’s eventful life

PARLIAMENTARY RECORDS • Alex Fisher of the Parliamentary Archives explains how you can use the archive’s varied records, many of which are freely available online

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL 1685-1759 • The Parliamentary Archives holds a crucial record in the life of this brilliant composer

PROTESTION RETURN, 1641 • This return from Callington in the East Hundred of Cornwall is held by the Parliamentary Archives and available digitally on its website (archives.parliament.uk)

USING THE PARLIAMENTARY ARCHIVES' WEBSITE • Alex reveals how to search the archive’s online catalogue via its homepage at archives.parliament.uk

RESOURCES • Take your research further

NEWSPAPERS • Historic newspapers offer an unrivalled window on the past, writes Jonathan Scott

EXPERT'S CHOICE • Denise Bates is the author of Historical Research Using British Newspapers

GO FURTHER • More online resources you can’t afford to miss

WW2 POW RECORDS • Phil Tomaselli explains how you can use newly digitised records to research prisoners of war

POW QUESTIONNAIRE, 1945

RESOURCES • Take your research further

How can I research my Cavan ancestors? • Our team of experts offers tips and inspiration

What happened to the Broomfield sisters after 1911?

Where can I access the GRO's marriage records?

What can you tell me about these dresses?

How can I find my ancestor's birth or baptism record?

When did William Hellendaal die?

What did Wallace do while he served in the RFC?

What can you tell me about Matthew?

LOCAL INDUSTRY • Celebrating our ancestors’ work in key trades

Create a shared genealogical archive • Nick Peers discovers how to preserve your research and collaborate with relations online

A truly FESTIVE FEAST • Caroline Roope reveals the origin and evolution of Christmas dinner

DICKENS' CHRISTMAS DINNER • The great writer celebrated the Christmas feast without forgetting the less fortunate

RESOURCES • Take your research further

'A FARMER'S WILL SOLVED MY MYSTERY' • Peter Rollin sought the help of the experts at WDYTYA? Magazine to trace the...