Uncovering your ancestors can depend on three things - location, location, location. People with Irish ancestry can run into problems because many records were destroyed during the Civil War. But research is becoming easier all the time as more and more records are published online. There are masses of websites on the subject - and here's a guide. Meanwhile, don't forget to use the Local history website reviews for other external links too. If you find any others that ought to be included in any of our web guides, then get in touch.

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Clwyd Family History Society
www.clwydfhs.org.uk
An essential site for those researching their family history in NE Wales.
The society is involved in indexing and transcribing historical documents, providing a forum for its members to meet and exchange information and producing a journal and a series of lectures and visits on relevant topics.
The website tells you all about how to get involved and also provides lists of the information the society holds and how to access it.
It has a very comprehensive section of links to other useful sites, including local Record Offices and other family history sites.

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National Library of Wales
http://www.llgc.org.uk
The library has a special section on family history. Its website carries a wealth of information, including material on local family names.

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Public Records Office
http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk
This site is designed to provide easy access to information on family records. It offers links to the main UK family history websites. There's material on adoption, military records, migration, parish registers, the census, wills and records of births, marriages and deaths.

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Rootsweb
http://www.rootsweb.com
People trying to track their ancestors can use this site to access the Welsh ethnic category which provides advice and research links. There are also guides covering everything from the use of technology in finding family members, to understanding the workings of American land records.

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Welsh Family History Archive
http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/index.html
If your research has hit a brick wall, you may well find help on this site's "Frequently Asked Questions" section. There is also a glossary of Welsh place names and a comprehensive link to online resources.

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WalesGenWeb
http://www.walesgenweb.com
This organisation is dedicated to the free access of genealogical information. It has query boards and links to local information boards, as well as offering help with hints and tips.

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UK and Ireland Genealogy
http://www.genuki.org.uk
There's lots of genealogical information available on this site, including guidance for first-time users. It looks at the counties of Wales and has material relating to church records, poorhouses, occupations, military history, probate, court records, and much much more.

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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
http://www.familysearch.org
Members of this church believe that family members can be re-united after death. They make covenants on behalf of their ancestors, but first have to identify them. So the Church has genealogical records from all over the world. Its site offers information on its library, and an impressive search facility. All it requires is a surname and country to produce long lists of possible ancestors.

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Ellis Island
http://www.ellisisland.org
If any of your family have travelled to America you may well find the Ellis Island site interesting. Once you have registered (it is free) users can search for relatives who passed through New York between 1892 and 1924.

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Origins UK
www.originsuk.com
A website which is based in Ruthin and concentrates on Welsh, Irish and Scottish history and social history. It offers unique databases and other materials from primary sources and archives.
This website was suggested by Gillian from Ruthin.

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