Offering a complete introduction to the subject of genealogy and the process of tracing your very own family tree, this book begins with the basics of starting your own search and guides you through each developing stage. You'll learn what clues to look out for as you study old photographs, certificates and documents, and find out about the organisations and website links that will help you to take your investigations further. Not every family has a remarkable past, but to the descendant who is finding out their own personal history, each detail is relevant and extraordinary, and there is always the tantalising chance that you will unearth hidden ancestral secrets. All that you need to know to get you started is in this book, with invaluable lists, checklists, hints and tips, as well as help on recording your data using the most methodical research techniques. Historical detail illustrates how intriguing family history can be, and evocative pictures and photographs portray British life through the ages, making this book a chronicle of a nation as well as a glimpse into your own past. Kathy Chater has taught genealogy and associated research subjects for nearly ten years, following her completion of a Diploma in Genealogy and the History of the Family from the University of London. Kathy has traced her own family back to the 1600s.