This book aims to broaden that understanding, especially for the period prior to 1800 when most researchers begin to experience difficulties. In addition, it aims to make readers more aware of some little-known (or little-used) sources and the processes which may be applied to the information they contain.
Apart from chapters dealing with aspects of community life and the records relating to them, there are chapters relating to different occupations, to surnames, to reading old documents and also how the writing of the history of a family may be achieved. The book contains several practical case-studies and is rounded off with examples of work done as part of the accreditation process on some more recent University courses.
