Family History

Don’t know your isotopes from your autosomal DNA? Worry not – Historic UK is here to help you through the maze of tracing your very own family tree!

The articles in this section will not only guide you through the processes available for building your family tree, but will also include related information, from clan tartans and family coats of arms to how surnames came about, and much more.

The 1921 Census is here!

The 1921 Census of England and Wales is now available! Taken on 19th June 1921 the census gives more detail than previous censuses: for example it includes an extended description of a person’s occupation as well as the employer’s name. The information regarding marital status includes if divorced for the first time. Invaluable for family historians but fascinating to anyone who wants to know more about their family history!

Available online at findmypast.com from January 6th 2022.

Newspaper Archives

For the family historian, newspapers from the past are a wonderful resource…

How to Trace Your Family Tree for Free

Do you ever wonder where you came from? Who your ancestors were? What were they like – did they share common traits with you, did they work in similar occupations? The best way to find out is to trace your family tree – and we can help with lots of advice on how to go about it!

Ancestry DNA vs MyHeritage DNA – A Review

We tested the two most popular DNA testing kits available. There are others available, but these are the market leaders. We found that for these two kits, initial costs are comparable and the way the DNA results are displayed is also very similar. Both products have clear and easy instructions and the test is easy to do.

The History of Welsh Surnames

Have you ever wondered why there are so many Jones’ in a Welsh phonebook? Read on to find out why!

History of Surnames

Have you ever wondered where your surname comes from? Or how surnames evolved? In England surnames weren’t widely used until…

The Great Clans of Scotland

Each year almost 50,000 people from across the world meet in Edinburgh, to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage. At the annual Clan Gathering, thousands line the Royal Mile to watch the Great Clans of Scotland proudly parading through the capital.

The History of Tartan

Travellers to Scotland over the past several hundred years have noted the Tartan worn by its inhabitants. Referred to as ‘mottled’, ‘marled’ and…

The Highland Clans

The word “clann” comes from the Gaelic and means children, and its members claimed kinship from the common ancestor whose name they bore, and even the poorest clansman considered themselves of nobler birth than any southerner.

Isotopes and Richard III

A skeleton discovered in a car park in Leicester in 2013 displayed spinal curvature as well as evidence of a violent death. Were these the remains of Richard III, the last Plantagenet king who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field? Luckily, isotopic analysis was on hand to help resolve this issue…

Coats of Arms

Peter O’Donoghue of The College of Arms explains the history behind coats of arms.

No Vote, No Census – 1911 Census Protests

As part of their Votes for Women campaign, suffragettes decided to target the 1911 Census…