The main part of the book looks at key themes such as social history, occupations, military connections, immigration and emigration, and looking for skeletons in the cupboard (bigamy, illegitimacy, lunacy and crime - far more interesting than tracing your family back to William the Conqueror). With information, tips and stories about the historical background and law changes of the past, this is a fresh way of approaching family history and developing research into the stories and characters unearthed. Finally, a comprehensive resources section provides the most up-to-date sources for common themes and localities - with assessments of the best Internet sources for all types of research. Also featuring celebrity family history stories and lots of extraordinary tales from ordinary people, this book is a fascinating practical guide to this absorbing and intriguing hobby.