In this episode of Family Tree Talk, Nathan Ward reveals a truly tangled family tree featuring multiple marriages, overlapping timelines, and a seemingly endless number of children.

· Who belongs to whom?

· & How can he tell family unit from the next?

As the puzzle unfolds, Helen Tovey offers practical tips and a calming voice of reason to help make sense of the confusion.

Whether you're new to genealogy or a seasoned researcher, you'll enjoy this lively conversation full of helpful ideas for unpicking even the knottiest branches of your family tree.

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, Nathan uncovers an unexpectedly large number of Dinahs and Francises in his tree — are they a coincidence, or a genealogical puzzle waiting to be solved? Meanwhile, Helen dives into two intriguing investigations: her Granny’s wartime sweetheart and a 5x great-grandfather with curious “home guard” ties in the 18th century. Remarkably, both Nathan and Helen actually stuck to their family history plans this week! Tune in to find out what they discovered — and if you're looking for a way to keep your own research on track, we've got a tool that might just help…

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward share the latest twists and turns in their family history research. This week, Nathan decided to resist the usual rabbit holes and focus on growing his tree — but puzzling records soon had him questioning what he could safely add. Meanwhile, Helen tuned into her grandmother’s fascinating WW2 memories of working for SIS (Special Intelligence Service), a reminder of the rich family stories waiting to be uncovered. Plus, Helen admits to nearly making a rookie mistake — and shares how to avoid the classic ‘leap before you look’ research trap.

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward speak to Dr Mike Esbester, head of the Railway Work, Life & Death Project, to uncover the rich history of railway workers in the UK. Marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway (Railway200), Mike explores the huge impact the railways had on our ancestors’ lives — from the jobs they did to the dangers they faced. Learn how to trace your railway-working relatives and discover how working conditions, roles, and risks have evolved over time. It's a fascinating journey into an industry that transformed Britain.

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward catch up on their latest family history finds. Helen shares a brilliant new way she’s discovered to encourage relatives to record their memories — perfect for preserving living history. Meanwhile, Nate’s deep in decision-making mode, wondering which historical document to focus on next and which tempting research rabbit hole to follow. Join the conversation for relatable stories, practical tips, and a warm slice of real-life family history fun.

Feeling stuck in your family history research – or simply drowning in a sea of notes and records? In this episode of Family Tree Talk, host Helen Tovey is joined by professional genealogist and educator Dr Sophie Kay to explore how a clear research methodology can transform the way you work. Discover how research logs, well-framed questions, and practical research plans can bring structure, clarity and results to your genealogy. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned sleuth, Sophie’s expert insights will help you avoid common pitfalls, break through brick walls, and make your family history research more rewarding than ever.

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward delve into Nathan’s latest genealogy discoveries — from a potential First World War soldier to a nun and an RAF airman (or maybe even a pilot!). As Nathan tries to piece together these intriguing lives, he turns to Helen for advice on how to be sure he's got the right people in his tree. Tune in for practical tips, expert insights, and a peek behind the scenes of real-life research as our hosts explore the highs and head-scratchers of tracing your family history.

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward chat to DNA Detective Michelle Leonard about how to use DNA results to break through your toughest family history brickwalls. Michelle shares practical advice on how to get started with DNA research and explains how her in-depth DNA Bootcamp course can help you make sense of your Ancestry DNA matches — no matter your experience level. Want to learn more? Check out her upcoming course here: bit.ly/4bFZOzA and browse more expert-led sessions at family-tree.co.uk/how-to-guides/webinars.

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward are joined by passionate family historian Karen Evans, who shares her expert advice on getting the most out of the Ancestry website. From clever search strategies to solving tricky tree problems, Karen offers practical tips and insider tricks to help you research smarter and break down those brick walls. It’s a must-listen for anyone using Ancestry—or thinking about it! Karen also tells us about her new online course, How to use Ancestry (better), designed to help you take your research to the next level.

In this latest episode of Family Tree Talk, hosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward are joined by a special guest — their boss, Matt Hill! Together, they share their strangest family history discoveries, the heirlooms they treasure most, and which ancestor they'd invite to dinner. From tracing long-lost relatives in America to tales of 1800s travel adventures, this episode is packed with fascinating stories and genealogy inspiration. Whether you're new to family history or a seasoned researcher, you’ll love this mix of expert insight and personal reflection. Tune in for fun, facts and a few surprises along the way!