March 2026 Family Tree Magazine

Sharpen your research skills, challenge assumptions, and uncover new clues in every record set.

This month’s issue of Family Tree is all about thinking smarter, looking closer, and getting more from the records you already use. From avoiding common research traps to developing flexible, systematic approaches, you’ll find expert guidance to help you break down brick walls and build stronger, more accurate family trees.

With thought-provoking features, moving personal stories, and practical how-tos, this issue will encourage you to question, test, and refine your research—so no clue, however small, goes unnoticed.

Why you’ll love this issue:

Improve your research thinking
Learn how confirmation bias can creep into genealogy - and how to spot and avoid it, with expert insight from Dr Sophie Kay.

Break through stubborn brick walls
Discover systematic methods for tackling tricky problems, from analysing record sets to testing theories against the evidence. David Annal advises us really to get to grips the record sets, and demonstrates how with a reader case study.

Add depth to your family stories
From military regiments to war memorials and elusive ancestors, you’ll find inspiring examples of how others have pieced together complex lives.

In This Issue:

Family History News
The latest projects, releases, and developments in the genealogy world.

Making the Most of the Record Sets
David Annal explains how flexible, methodical research can help crack even the toughest brick walls.

Confirmation Bias in Theory
Dr Sophie Kay explores how assumptions can distort research - and how to keep your genealogy evidence-led.

Twiglets
Gill Shaw puts her detective hat on to test a theory about her 4x great-grandfather.

Photo Corner
Jayne Shrimpton shares expert advice for dating mystery family photographs.

The Dudden Hill School War Memorial Project
Paul Mitchell seeks connections with families of former pupils who died over a century ago.

How to Trace a Regiment
Graham Bandy explains how to research the regiment in which your ancestor served.

The Life of Bryan: A Family Perspective
Eleanor Hart revisits the life of her 2x great-grandfather, adding fresh detail to his story.

Which Branch of the Houstouns Went to Ulster?
Ian Brown tackles a classic genealogical puzzle with careful analysis and determination.

A Theory of Relativity
Karen Evans guides you through DNA relationship calculators and how to use them effectively.

Q&A
Your family history questions answered by our expert researcher.

Ancestry Advice
Learn how to digitise your family mementos using AncestryPreserve.

Your Letters
Readers share their experiences and views.

Diary Dates
Genealogy events taking place in March.

Classified Ads
Professional researchers and services—please mention Family Tree when responding.

Thoughts On…
Diane Lindsay reflects on why even the tiniest clue can lead to meaningful discoveries.