ancestors

[littlestiks3]

does any body know how much it cost to trace back my ancestors because i would like to do it thankyou.

[CheekyChops]

Do you mean do it yourself or get someone else to do it? Either way, it isn't cheap.

DIY method - you have to buy birth, marriage and death certificates which cost �7 each. You will probably end up buying a subscription or credits for one of the genealogy websites. (e.g genesreconnected, �9.95 per 6 months, Ancestry �70 per year) You will eventually need to visit records offices etc and incur travel expenses.

Get Someone Else To Do It Method - Costs vary depending on how far back, how long it takes, how much research is involved etc. As an idea, I found a couple of websites for someone else last week and the charge was �400-500.

It is pretty easy and very satisfying to do it yourself.

[spudqueen]

If you want to do it yourself then I'd advice picking up a book on family history from your local library, just to find out the in and outs. There are also quite a few monthly magazines on this subject, available at W H Smiths, which may whet your appetite. The easiest way to start is to interview your older relatives, it's often amazing what they remember (my Auntie can remember her parents relating a conversation which happened in 1918 - years before she was born!), and sometimes they have old photographs and even birth, marriage or death certificates which are a great help. Also, if you do want to do this yourself if you have any queries pop them into the genealogy section, which is under history in the Answerbank. Good luck.

[rabbitygirl]

My son has been doing our tree for a few years. Which is great until you try and trace the Joneses. He has bought quite a few dud certificates and is currently staying away from the records office in London because he is tearing his hair out!

[Etonite]

Joining Ancestry.co.uk is very worth while as they have the Censuses going back to 1901 and also birth, death and marriage records. You could also join Genes Reunited. It only costs about �7 or �8 per year and and there is a facility for putting on all the family you know abouton to a family tree. GR will then let you know who else has your relatives in common; I managed to trace my wifes family back to 1623 this way!