Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine not only explores the stories behind the popular BBC genealogy TV series, but also helps you uncover your own roots. Each issue is packed with practical advice to help you track down family history archives and get the most out of online resources, alongside features on what life was like in the past and the historic events that affected our ancestors.

Welcome

CONTRIBUTORS

SARAH’S TOP TIP • Record mix-ups aren’t a new thing. Be wary if something doesn’t ring true

Don’t forget Bermuda convicts!

Letters

Who Do You Think You Are?

What’s On

Family historians invited to take part in 2031 census consultation • Rosemary Collins reports on the latest data releases and genealogy news

NEWS IN BRIEF

Board game creators’ collection donated to Birmingham Archives

Ancestry adds legal examination records

St Helens Archive Service relocated

TNA introduces £42.25 fee for WW2 service records

THE THRILL OF THE CHASE • Alan Crosby celebrates the addictive nature of genealogical detective work

50 WEBSITES TO WATCH 2026 • Jonathan Scott shares the unmissable online resources that will make 2026 a bumper year for family historians

WALES • There’s great

Regional Round-Up • Exciting updates from a dozen websites that are managed by repositories and societies

Declaration 250 • Celebrate the anniversary of the USA’s gaining independence

‘MY TREE INCLUDES A WAR HERO AND THE SURVIVOR OF A MURDER ATTEMPT’ • Mandy Webb loves to drill down into the detail of her ancestors’ lives and has some amazing stories to share including a dramatic close call that remained hidden for generations, says Claire Vaughan

Resources • Newspapers and army records were vital to Mandy’s research

Hospital Records • Michelle Higgs explains how to trace patient records and other sources from general hospitals

HOW TO FIND HOSPITAL RECORDS • Michelle shares her tips for locating hospital records in England and Wales

Joseph Lister 1827-1912 • This pioneer’s ideas revolutionised surgery

Accidents Register, 1883 • This register of accidents at Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, Dublin, from August 1883 is held by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (rcpi.ie) and available digitally via Ancestry (ancestry.co.uk)

RESOURCES • Take your research further

Theatres and Performers • Jonathan Scott reveals the essential online resources if you have theatrical ancestors

Expert’s Choice • Katharine Cockin is a professor of English literature at the University of Essex and the author of Tracing Your Theatrical Ancestors (Pen & Sword, 2023)

Go Further • More sites to research a theatrical relation

Pension Application • The following is an extract from a 54-page application by Michael Phelan, maternal uncle of actor Martin Sheen who featured in his episode of the US version of Who Do You Think You Are?. The record is held by the Military Archives (militaryarchives.ie) and online

Irish Military Pension Applications • Nicola Morris explains how to access these freely available records from the War of Independence

RESOURCES • Take your research further

How can I find out about the injuries my great great grandfather sustained in the Crimean War? • Our team of experts offers tips and inspiration

How do I find children missing from the census?

Who are Emily Stephenson Field’s parents?

When was this child photographed?

How can I find out more about Thomas Roger Rees?

How can I find the truth behind this ghost story?

Which is the right birth certificate for Mary Ann?

What uniform are these women...