Tracing Your Twentieth-Century Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians

Karen Bali

Oct 2016 · Pen and Sword

About this ebook

The recent past is so often neglected when people research their family history, yet it can be one of the most rewarding periods to explore, and so much fascinating evidence is available. The rush of events over the last century and the rapid changes that have taken place in every aspect of life have been dramatic, and the lives of family members of only a generation or two ago may already appear remote. That is why Karen Balis informative and accessible guide to investigating your immediate ancestors is essential reading, and a handy reference for anyone who is trying to trace them or discover the background to their lives. In a sequence of concise, fact-filled chapters she looks back over the key events of the twentieth century and identifies the sources that can give researchers an insight into the personal stories of individuals who lived through it. She explains census and civil records, particularly those of the early twentieth century, and advises readers on the best way to get relevant information from directories and registers as well as wills and other personal documents. Chapters also cover newspapers which often provide personal details and offer a vivid impression of the world of the time professional and property records and records of migration and naturalization. This practical handbook is rounded off with sections on tracing living relatives and likely future developments in the field.

About the author

Karen Bali is an expert genealogist who specializes in family history research of the recent past. She provides adoption research and tracing services for the legal profession through her research service (www.people-search.co.uk). Karen also runs online courses and evening classes in genealogy. Her books include The People Finder: A Self-help Handbook for Finding Relatives, New Cousins: How to Trace Living Descendants of Your Ancestors and Researching Adoption: An Essential Guide to Tracing Birth Relatives and Ancestors.