Libraries and leisure

How to start family history research

If you are keen to research your family history it is a good idea to read a book on the subject and talk to relatives before you start. Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies has a comprehensive range of reference books on family history, and there is a good selection of titles that can be borrowed from your local library.

step one: talk to your family
Make a note of everything you know about your immediate family - names, dates of birth, marriage and death, where they lived and so on. Talk to as many older relatives as possible.

step two: look for clues
Are there any family heirlooms, such as photographs, personal letters or official documents? These items can provide important clues - for example, family bibles often have details of family events such as christenings.

step three: build your family tree
Your family tree is a way of organising what you know and what you need to find out. For help with drawing up your tree, visit bbc.co.uk/familyhistory