Genealogy Chat

I've recently got sucked back into tracing my family history after not doing it for about 10 yrs. I've noticed lots of different magazines on the subject on WHSmith's shelves. Which one do you recommend I should subscribe to and why? Should I just look each month and buy what interests me?

John, Family Tree Magazine is a very good buy and is well suited to those with some experience in researching family history. I've subscribed to it for several years and always find something of interest. My only disappointment is that there is not a great deal on Scottish research in this magazine. I have yet to find a Scottish equivalent! Suggest you buy a few copies before subscribing just to make sure that the mag suits you. If you feel you need something which would better refresh your memory, FTM's sister mag, Practical Family History is quite good, too. David

Ive got Family History Monthly and there is a large section about tracing Scottish relatives this month.

I always plan to subscribe, but then each time I look I find a different one has items of interest. The only trouble is that if you don't choose 1 and subscribe, you may well end up buying all of them! I like Fam Tree Mag and Practical Fam Hist best.

When I first started researching seriously I bought them all! Cost me a small fortune every month but at least I passed them on. I have stuck with Family History Monthly which is an easy read and pretty informative. Think Family Tree magazine has a webpage so you can have a look at the current copy. Beryl Darlington

I get Family Tree Magazine, and Practical Family History. If I had to pick one I'd go with Family Tree. Good insert on Computer related matters. Best of Luck

Hi there There is a new magazine out - called Your Family Tree. Believe only avalailable from WHSmith/subscription. I bought mine today - August copy Issue no 2(Sept issue out 3rd Sept)It costs £4.99 (rather more than others) but at the moment they are giving "free" with every issue CD Rom, regional search cards and collectable surname cards. In each issue items include Usingthe Internet, Around the world, Q&A, Family History Detective,projects....... In Aug issue Tracing your Indian Ancestors, Parish Records, Using wills and probates... I have not read fully yet - but I am quite impressed. So far. Liz

I also have bought "Your Family Tree" and as you say it is new out. Infact it is proving so popular that you cannot even get back copies of issue one. Another mag I bought is called PC Basics Family Tree which is all internet related.

Karen,, Did you find the pc mag helpful? Claire

I have bought both issues of Your Family Tree and read them from cover to cover! It is a bit more expensive but at the moment the magazine is bi-monthly and so I don't mind paying £5 every other month. I am counting the days till next week when the new issue comes out! The CD contains lots of free software and demos of different family tree software each month for testing. Also included is a number of research sheets ready to be printed off and filled in. All in all I find it great value for money. Tracy