Although a major source of information about field and place names, property history and the growth of towns and cities, these documents are some of the most neglected. Useful reading for beginner and experienced family and local historians, Dr Nat Alcock, of the University of Warwick, aims to put this right by demonstrating how these records can be found, analysed and interpreted. With information presented in a series of concise and easy-to-read chapters, it reveals how fascinating and rewarding title deeds can be once their history, language and purpose are understood.
Family Tree, February 2018

[i]Tracing Your Ancestors Through the Equity Courts[/i] will not only whet your appetite but provide excellent historical context and advice on why and how to seek them out.
Family Tree, January 2018

This subject fascinates me. I love delving into the lesser known people tied up in crime cases, and what happened to them after the media glare was over. This book is really useful for archive sources, chapters on researching family history for criminal ancestors, and lots more. I'd really recommend this!
Infamous Liverpool, Caroline Bunford

Part of 'further reading' in Q&A advice column
Family Tree, March 2017

The great strength of this book is the suggestions it offers for further research, many of which you won't have thought about before. At the end of each chapter is a list of questions to pose when looking at particular writings for your forebears. For example, why were they created and who were they for? The book is also full of useful tips such as making comparisons of your ancestors' signatures with people of different ages and genders, and with previous and subsequent generations; this many help to ascertain changes in their lives such as illness and an increase in education. Also, if you ever have to clear out an elderly relative's house, never send their books to a charity shop without looking through them first. The volumes might include handwritten annotations that could tell you more about their thoughts, hopes and dreams in their life. The book also highlights an excellent range of online and offline sources to follow up, and it's well illustrated with examples of personal writings;.. Read more
WDYTYA? Magazine, February 2017 - reviewed by Michelle Higgs