Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
Sally Magnusson and genealogist Nick Barratt uncover aspects of the UK’s social history through personal stories as they follow the genealogy trail back in time, and give you the tools to explore your own family history.
Programme details
25 August 2007
Spreading family trees
If your family has lived in the same area for generations, doing genealogy research is often straightforward.
But if your ancestors moved around in the past, you may still be able to trace them. Nick Barratt shares his advice on how to track down scattered family records.
Stories in this week's programme...
Tracing Family who were Slaves
Author Paul Crooks is descended from a slave who worked on a Jamaican sugar plantation. Paul's search for his overseas ancestor involved many years of intensive research. Having found some answers, Paul now wants to help others in a similar situation.
Populations on the move
If the births, marriages and deaths in your family tree are scattered across the country, transportation maps could hold the key to your ancestors' lives. In the past some families were in constant transit, like those who worked on the waterways. These communities often kept their own detailed records, which can be a goldmine of information.
Surname maps
If you’ve lost the trail whilst trying to follow your family line, try clicking on www.spatial-literacy.org. This website contains information on most UK surnames and reveals where people with your name lived in Britain in 1881 and 1998. Professor Kevin Schurer explains how and why this resource was created.
Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
