Guides to researching British Indian ancestors, the Huguenots in Australia and sporting records are among the new additions to our Genealogy collection in the last few months.

 The hidden thread: Huguenot families in Australia. Robert Nash editor

This is the first book ever published on the subject of Huguenot descendants in Australia and is fabulous resource for anyone interested in the Huguenots – the Protestants of France. It provides detailed information on the history of the Huguenots in Europe, includes chapters on individual families who settled throughout Australia, and also examines the lives of other eminent Huguenot Australians. Of particular interest is the list of  almost 500 known Huguenot families who are or who have been represented in Australia. The list includes names, date of arrival in Australia,  place of origin and country of refuge – the place where they fled after leaving France.  Sources of information are also included, which will be of great use to family historians.

Sporting Ancestors: tracing your family’s athletic past by Keith Gregson

This is an excellent guide for anyone interested in the history of sport in Britain and how it might have featured in their ancestor’s lives.

It contains a brief history of each of the main professional and amateur sporting activities played in Britain which is useful for determining which sports were played when, where and why –  everything from cricket and tennis to billiards and curling. The list  of  sporting resources that can help you locate information on your ancestors is particularly useful and includes –  contemporary newspapers, sporting almanacs, match papers, score cards, team songs, photographs and cartoons. Several case studies are also included, to demonstrate how to go about carrying out research. There is also a comprehensive bibliography of books, websites and associations related to each major sporting groups.

Solving genealogy problems: how to break down ‘Brick Walls’ and build your family tree by Dr. Graeme Davis

This book looks at the typical problems genealogists frequently face and offers practical ideas on how to break through these `brick walls’.

The author identifies the main obstacles that might occur when using census data, parish registers and birth, marriage and death records, and shows how, by analysing or re-interpreting documents, it is often possible to find that elusive, yet vital piece of information. There are many useful tips that explain how and why information may appear to be incorrect.  For example, on many British marriage certificates the name and occupation of the father may appear to be wrong. This was often because the name listed was usually the head of the household where the individual was raised. Therefore it might be an uncle, stepfather or guardian rather than name of their real father.  Several chapters look at alternative ways to find information i.e. coroners inquests, land tax, electoral rolls, photographs etc.

Tracing your British Indian Ancestors by Emma Jolly

This book gives a fascinating insight into the history of the subcontinent under British rule and into the lives the British led there. It introduces the reader to the range of historical records that can be consulted in order to throw light on the experience of individuals who were connected to India over the centuries of British involvement in the country.  The author describes what information is held in the National Archives and the British Library India Office Records and explains how to find records of the armed forces, civil service and railways. Religious and probate records and other historical resources are also covered.

This book is ideal for anyone who had  ancestors who were born, lived or worked in the Indian region between 1600 and the late twentieth century .

All books are available to view in the Newspaper & Family History Reading Room.

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