Probate researchers like Blanchards primarily focus on tracing heirs to unclaimed estates. This means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise for finding long lost relatives. In fact, we do it every day. Tracing long-lost relatives in the UK can be a rewarding journey, connecting you with your heritage and family history. It is now wildly popular for people to research their family history and even find long lost relatives. Numerous public resources are available to assist in this endeavour, ranging from online databases to community forums. Here are some resources we, as probate researchers, find to be highly useful when finding long lost relatives.
Online Genealogy Databases
Findmypast and Ancestry: This platform offers an extensive collection of UK records, including birth, marriage, death, census, and military records. It’s particularly useful for tracing ancestors and discovering long-lost family members. As professionals, we use numerous resources like FMP, Ancestry and many others.
TheGenealogist: Provides comprehensive access to census data from 1841 to 1911, as well as birth, marriage, and death indexes. The platform also includes unique resources like occupational records and non-conformist registers.
National Archives and Libraries
The National Archives (TNA): As the official archive of the UK government, TNA houses millions of documents, from military service records to wills. Their online catalogue and digitised records are invaluable for family historians.
British Library: Home to a vast collection of newspapers, maps, and manuscripts, the British Library can provide context and details about your ancestors’ lives.
Community Forums and Social Platforms
RootsChat: A free online forum where members collaborate to solve genealogical queries. It’s a space to ask questions, share information, and connect with others researching similar lines.
Facebook Groups: Many regional and surname-specific genealogy groups exist on Facebook, providing support and resources from fellow researchers.
Reddit: Reddit may also be a platform worth investigating. There are numerous subreddits regarding genealogy with other like-minded people who may have tips and examples that have assisted with their pursuits.
DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy
AncestryDNA and 23andMe: These services analyse your DNA to provide ethnicity estimates and connect you with genetic matches, potentially leading to discoveries of unknown relatives. Companies like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage compare your DNA to databases of people from different regions to estimate your ethnic background and identify relatives who share significant amounts of DNA. Your DNA is compared to reference populations worldwide to estimate where your ancestors likely came from. These estimates improve over time as more people test and databases grow.
Educational Resources and Blogs
Family Tree Magazine: Offers guides, tips, and the latest news in genealogy, helping both beginners and seasoned researchers.
Tracing Ancestors in the UK Blog: Managed by a professional genealogist, this blog provides insights into research strategies and lesser-known resources.
Social Media
Social media has revolutionised family history research by making it easier to connect with relatives, share family trees, and crowdsource genealogy information. Platforms like Facebook and Reddit host genealogy groups where users can collaborate, exchange historical records, and seek help identifying ancestors. DNA test-takers often use social media to discuss results and find biological relatives, sometimes leading to life-changing reunions. Additionally, historical societies and genealogy websites share valuable resources online, making research more accessible. Social media is also a common way you can find and contact relatives your find through research. Overall, social media has accelerated family discoveries and strengthened connections between distant relatives.
Professional Genealogists
If you require the assistance of a professional when finding long lost relatives, we can of course be of service. Blanchards usually work on cases of intestacy and missing heirs which may be required if you are in the process of dealing with probate or distributing an estate. Please contact us if you require our services.
