TOP THREE: OLD RECORDS

The best places to trace your medieval and 16th-century ancestors

MEDIEVAL GENEALOGY

1 The best website for old records is www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk, which provides the most detailed free guide to medieval records available. Spend some time exploring the site to get an idea of the kind of information it contains. If you click on the ‘Families’ tab, you will find a list of surnames which have been researched, with links.

MEDIEVAL SOLDIER DATABASE www. medievalsoldier.org/search.php)

2 The ICMA Centre’s website ( is great if you’re looking for your medieval military ancestors. The database, which contains details on 14th- and 15th-century conflicts are invaluable if you’re want to trace ancestors in this era. The muster roll database 1369-1453 lists over 60,000 archers.

BRITISH HISTORY ONLINE

3 You’ll find a wealth of detail at British History Online ( www. british-history.ac.uk), which holds primary and secondary sources relating to British history. For general information about the place your ancestors lived, try the Victoria County Histories. You’ll also find State Papers and calendars of other records, such as parliament rolls.