This month’s family history inspiration

by Jonathan Oates

Many family historians will discover an ancestor who broke the law, perhaps due to poverty and hardship, or other more nefarious motives. Whether villain or victim, finding an individual involved in crime adds colour and drama to your family tree. Tracing law-breaking ancestors can be a complex and confusing task but in this indispensable, easy-to-read guide, Dr Jonathan Oates explains how to research crime history.

The main topics covered include criminal courts and their records, punishments such as transportation and execution, police documents and newspapers. With the focus on the overall picture rather than on specific types of crime, the book charts the development of the English judicial system and guides the reader through the resources available for family history research in this fascinating area.

Dr Oates presents the information in a highly readable and engaging narrative. He gives a comprehensive overview of how to track a criminal ancestor, using a wide range of valuable sources, all illustrated by relevant examples and case studies, while keeping in mind the victims, as well as those who committed crime. There are detailed instructions on how to access the available, but sometimes difficult to find, crime-related documents. He considers each type of resource carefully, pointing out potential pitfalls and offering helpful advice. In addition, the guide touches upon other important areas of family history research, such as manorial records and mental health institutions. This is an

authoritative and wellresearched book with clear explanations on how to investigate crime. Tracing Villains and Their

Victims is an essential reference guide for all those interested in crime history, including family historians whose ancestors’ lives were affected by criminal activities.