John Smith? – No Problem!

By Linda and AngelaA Welsford

(AArthur H Stockwell Ltd, 22 23 pages, £7.95) TThis was a challenging read to beegin with. As an outsider, it wwasn’t easy to work out who wwas who and how certain inndividuals fitted into the ovverall picture of the Smith family that is featured here.

However, I soon began to admire the patience and determination of the authors. The family history resources used to research the book are all comprehensively listed and the authors also attempt to show how others can get the most from them in an organised and logical way.

It begins where every family historian should, by talking to the older members of the family and taking copious notes, never knowing just how useful the information will be.

The book recommends joining a family history society that ties in most closely with your area of interest – not just for the resources that the society’s archive will possess, but also for tapping into the knowledge of fellow members

As the Smith research goes back in time, the authors use parish registers, school admission books and manorial records. I have long said that the creation of a family tree itself may be satisfying, but putting flesh on the bones with social history is what truly brings it all to life. This fascinating book confirms that opinion.

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