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
1 September 2007
Personal memorabilia
Family history research isn’t just about tracing births, marriages and deaths.
Sometimes personal mementos like unidentified photos, letters, journals, medals or items of jewellery can reveal even more about the lives of the individuals who once owned them.
Stories in this week's programme...
The Diary of a Property Tycoon
Eva Davies didn’t know who had originally owned the nineteenth century diary that was handed down to her. But a list of names and dates contained in it gave her all the information she needed to uncover the whole family tree – and the business acumen of the lady at the heart of it.
How to Date Mystery Photographs
Old photographs rarely come accompanied by dates and information about family members. But if you can date a photograph accurately, you may be able to figure out the names of those in the frame. Expert Robert Pols shares the techniques he uses to date photos and examines these three pictures sent in by listeners.
Looking after Family Treasures
Old documents and photos need to be looked after carefully. But what's the best way to care for today's artefacts that future generations will rely upon when doing family history research? Archivist Lesley Ferguson joins Sally and Nick to explain how to keep these treasures time-proof.
Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
