Tracing Your Ancestors
More and more Antipodeans are developing an interest in finding out about their ancestors - from those desperate to find a tenuous link to the rich and famous, to those who just want to understand more about their heritage.
With approximately 90% of Kiwis and Australians having British or European ancestors, the UK is one of the best places to begin the search. The Public Records Office, most local councils, and parish churches have records that can be accessed for a fee.
Most genealogical research is now done online though, and things have just got easier for those with British heritage with the release of Britain's comprehensive census of 1901. This great new online resource will soon be supplemented by Victorian-era censuses as well, providing an unbroken historical link back to the early decades of the nineteenth century.
There are now thousands of genealogy or family history websites - a clear indication of the popularity of this search for knowledge. Check out:
Another interesting site - and a winner of Best History Website award by Internet magazine - is Moving Here. This site provides a huge array of resources relating to migration to Britain over the last 200 years.
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