| | Introduction | p. 6 |
| | First steps | |
| | How to begin | p. 8 |
| | Family photographs | p. 12 |
| | A basic family tree | p. 14 |
| | Names | p. 18 |
| | Keeping records | p. 20 |
| | Back to the early 1800s | |
| | Certificates after 1837 | p. 22 |
| | Other indexes at the Family Record Centre | p. 26 |
| | Censuses | p. 28 |
| | The International Genealogical Index and other indexes | p. 32 |
| | Published material | p. 34 |
| | Using the Internet | p. 36 |
| | Wills, administrations and death duties | p. 40 |
| | Inquests | p. 44 |
| | Other countries in the British Isles | |
| | Welsh Records | p. 46 |
| | Scottish Records | p. 48 |
| | Irish Records | p. 52 |
| | Channel Island Records | p. 56 |
| | Isle of Man Records | p. 58 |
| | Working lives | |
| | Education | p. 60 |
| | Apprenticeships | p. 64 |
| | Guilds and freemen | p. 66 |
| | The professions | p. 68 |
| | Other occupations | p. 72 |
| | Licences | p. 76 |
| | Elections, poll books and electoral registers | p. 78 |
| | Trade unions and friendly societies | p. 80 |
| | For Crown and Country | |
| | Members of the armed forces | p. 82 |
| | Army records | p. 85 |
| | Royal Air Force records | p. 88 |
| | Royal Navy records | p. 90 |
| | Lifecycle checklist | p. 94 |
| | Index | p. 96 |