The Family History Handbook 2025

Over the past few years the Family History Handbook has been a total sell-out, packed as it is with the useful and fascinating information needed by family history enthusiasts… and it's included with the January issue of Family Tree!

The 100-page handbook lists the key genealogy organisations, family history societies, contact details and websites (updated and revised) as needed by family history researchers today. It's your go-to genealogy resource for the whole year.

Inside the packed January issue of Family Tree magazine

Understand your DNA tests better when you discover more about the science and your genes. Read an exclusive report into the newly digitised WW2 Army records. Find the perfect family history software for you with our round-up of freebies to try. These are just some of the many ways in which you can grow your genealogy skills & know-how - find out more in the January issue of Family Tree.

From DNA to essential traditional research knowledge and skills, the January issue is full of inspiring advice. Here's a quick summary of some of the items you can look forward to reading...

• DNA for beginners: the science behind the tests
  This background knowledge can massively boost your understanding of your test results. Karen Evans explains
• The Family Tree Academy Annual Genealogy Quiz
  See how much you know & pit your wits with David Annal's Christmas quiz!
• Your genealogy gift guide
  Books and gifts for family history fans
• Exclusive report: a guide to the MOD-KEW-Ancestry military records project
  Military historian Graham Bandy takes us through the nuts and bolts of this newly available collection of digitised records
• Free family history software
  The Frugal Family Historian, aka Alison Spring, has great ideas to save your pennies
• Twiglets
  Gill Shaw finishes her Cinderella tale with an untoppable closing chapter
• Spotlight on
  Margaret Cabot takes us on a guide around the Channel Islands Family History Societyr
• Brick wall ideas
  Mike Gould introduces some ideas and steps to start working on those genealogy sticking points
• Telling stories: inspired by a single source
  Jude Rhodes pieces together her adventurous parents' young life from their passport
• A funny thing happened on the way to the record office
  Stuart Valentine recounts some funny moments (and salutary tales)
• An unsettling find
  Julie Johnson recounts a truly tragic  and traumatic case (be warned), which she researched using court case material found in her local archive
• Photo Corner
  Jayne Shrimpton to the rescue with top photo-dating advice
• Q&A
  Our experts pit their wits to solve reader puzzles
• Diary Dates
  Your round-up of the latest genealogy events
• Your letters
  Readers share their views

Thoughts on ...
Yes, it's dark, and very likely windy and wet, but Diane Lindsay admits that actually she ... loves this time of year!