Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
Each week Sally Magnusson follows the ancestral trail back in time to uncover colourful stories and hidden slices of social history. Resident genealogist Nick Barratt is on hand with tips and inspiration to help you explore your own family's lineage.
Programme details
14 November 2007
How the writers of the past can shed light on family history
If your ancestors didn’t have the education to write personal accounts of their lives and times, perhaps the likes of Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy can help …
This week’s programme explores how writers, both published and private, can supplement the information in civil records to help you find out more about your relatives’ lives and times.
Above image reproduced by kind permission of Lincoln's Inn.
The World’s First Literary Agent
Kate Rawlinson had no idea that her great great grandfather was a literary agent. A box of old letters led to her discovery that not only had been the world’s first literary agent, but his agency had looked after a host of high profile writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, WB Yeats and PG Wodehouse.
Social History through a Writer’s Eyes
Writers such as Charles Dickens set their novels in the world they saw around them – albeit a world that few of their readers would have occupied themselves. Dr Matthew Campbell from Sheffield University explained how family historians can learn about aspects of their ancestors’ history from novels such as ‘Hard Times’.
A Reluctant Secretary at War
Freelance writer Rick Glanvill found a kindred spirit buried in the archives when he started researching his 17th Century ancestor, John Glanvill. A prosperous lawyer and family man, John G was most unhappily appointed Secretary at War on Charles I’s ill-fated raid on Cadiz. His journals from the expedition were for public consumption – but his entertaining descriptions of day to day life on the venture made it clear he felt the whole voyage was doomed. Which was correct.
The Trace Race
This week we launched an experiment – genealogy against the clock!
Many people put off researching their family tree because they think it would take months if not years, and might cost quite a bit too. We’re putting that assumption to the test. With the help of two keen (naïve?) novices we’re going to find out how far a complete beginner can get in just 48 hours, on a £50 budget …
We’re also going to find out whether it’s essential to have internet access at home – or whether an old fashioned journey on foot to the county record office (and its knowledgeable staff) could bear more fruit.
Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
