This month’s focus

This issue we focus on writing our family histories. What better way to spend the winter months. Projects & inspiration include:

Explore the Family Tree 1921 census fact-file
Top 10 1921 Census FAQs, a crop of fascinating facts revealed about the 1921 Census, and a look at
the tumultuous times in which with census was taken, with Helen Tovey

Writing the stories of our ancestors
With the help of her daughter and for the love of her mother, family historian Sarah Lewis has written a book of her family’s story

Documenting your life, creating your legacy
Chris Broom takes a look at why now is the time to start keeping a log of what your life is like

#reclaimjane
Join family historian and family story teller Natalie Pithers this February in her free online writing challenge

Improve your search skills

Investigating our ancestors’ names
Family Tree Academy tutor David Annal discusses our ancestors' first, middle and surnames, and suggests ideas as to how we can better glean the clues from them

Scottish land records
With maps, surveys and more, Chris Paton will help you explore

5 ways to research with The Gazette
Search for notable ancestor details back centuries

The Rumsfeldian approach
Engineer & genealogist Alfred Gracey suggests a practical method for turning unknown facts into known ones

Discover the free resources on scotlandspeople
Professional genealogist Alison Spring is here to help you learn more

Kickstart your research
Jump start your genealogy in 2022 with Ancestry in 5 simple steps

& all your regular favourites
- Family history news: The latest from the world of genealogy, with Rachel Bellerby

- Dear Paul: Genealogical miscellanies to revel in with Paul Chiddicks

- Twiglets: Gill Shaw tells us ‘Catherine’s Tale’

- DNA Workshop: DNA advisor Karen Evans tackles a many-layered reader conundrum      

- Spotlight on: The Anglo-Italian Family History Society

- Books & Co: Reads to enjoy these winter months             

- Questions & answers: the Family Tree team of experts tackle reader mysteries

- Diary Dates: Note-worthy events to look forward to this coming February

- Letters: Readers have their say...