Ancestral Trails

by Mark D. Herber

This is the second edition of the book that has been called the Bible of British genealogy.

Originally published in 1997 in association with the Society of Genealogists (London), and now revised and updated to reflect the latest developments in the field, Ancestral Trails enables the researcher to form a coherent picture of past generations by describing virtually every class of record in every repository and library in Britain.

The early chapters help beginners take their first steps by dealing with such matters as obtaining information from living relatives, drawing family trees, and starting research in the records of birth, marriage, and death, or in census records. Later chapters guide researchers to the records that are more difficult to find and use, such as wills, parish records, civil and ecclesiastical court records, poll books, and property records.

The book is ideal for the beginner and the experienced researcher alike, and will enable those who are persistent enough to trace their ancestry back to the Middle Ages.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, History, British Literature

896 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good source that provides methodology in doing British family history research, including references to Whales, Scotland, Ireland, and other territories of Great Britain. I wasn't able to read it all since it was for academic studies, but it's certainly a book I'd like to return to. I'll mark it as being read for now.

The research I've been conducting has involved tracing my from the United States back to Scotland. It's been quite fun and thrilling to research foreign records. The methods and tools I'm learning to use now may help me to do genealogical research in Ireland.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reference for those who are researching ancestry through British roots. It gives numerous sources of family information. The book itself is easy to read and well footnoted.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genealogy bible, brilliant.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book on British genealogy.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for anyone doing British Research. It took me a while to read because I tried to look up some of the records it mentioned to help solidify what I learned. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know. Many obscure records I hadn’t even considered. Fantastic book. Great index and repository information.

[Terry Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read for those doing genealogy projects.

[Dee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great resource for genealogy research in Great Britain.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly dated as things are more online/digital now, but a fountain of resources and useful knowledge if you're into British Genealogy and want to know where to look for family ancestry information.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ancestral Trails" is truly a COMPLETE guide. There are so many details that it is exhausting reading. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginning genealogist, simply because its masses of information would be overwhelming. But it's a great reference work to have on hand, because I know any question I have on any type of record will be answered in its pages.

[Jenna]

Amazing volume of information. I wish I could enlarge the font though, as I am struggling to read the super fine print.

[Research Geek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still waiting to receive the hardcover that I ordered from the U.K. But, I already know it's a must-have for anyone researching family history, genealogy, etymology of surnames, etc... The book that mentioned it as a great source was recommended to me by a retired Archivist for the National Archives of UK at Kew. He's been guiding me on what to buy and avoid. Do you want to learn how to perform research the right way? If yes, buy this book. If no, then close your eyes and pick a book. As my mentor of the National Archives of UK, said to me recently, many books written about "surnames are rubbish." That also goes for a lot of other books. Remember, not every surname has a Coat of Arms. Yet, if a surname does, it may only be long to the person who earned it. Believe or not, there are laws that govern the use Coat of Arms. Each country has their own set of regulations surrounding the use of the Coat of Arms by descendants of the ancestry made great heraldry achievements.