Family Tree Magazine (UK) — December 2024

As usual, the issue offers several noteworthy articles for genealogists seeking to deepen their research. Three caught my attention.

Alan C. Smith’s Are We Related? Modelling Ancestry and Kinship explores ancestral connections with a scientific approach. Rich with charts and diagrams, the article presents a mathematical model to estimate the number of ancestors, factoring in pedigree collapse and population size. Smith bases his calculations on his own ancestry—an intriguing case study that raises the question: how representative are these figures for others?

Phil Isherwood’s Free Online Family History Books highlights valuable, accessible resources. The article features a table of 40 top family history sites, including links to Debrett’s/Burke’s Peerage, Poll Books, Electoral Registers, Gazetteers, Post Office Directories, Trade Directories, and Quarter Session Records—essential research tools.

Finally, David Annal from Family Tree Academy examines the vast but underutilized potential of Court of Chancery Records. He discusses the challenges genealogists face with these documents: access is limited to Kew reading rooms, the records are cumbersome, and navigating bundles can be daunting. Yet, the rewards for perseverant researchers could be significant.

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