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A True Crime History Podcast

Author article 'Murder in the family' as featured by

WDYTYA? Magazine, March 2020

What is valuable is that each chapter ends with sections addressing the research process followed by good case studies of what can be found.

There is a short but helpful legal glossary, which is especially valuable for latin phrases found in assize records

Paul Milner, FGS Forum, Spring 2011

My first thoughts on reading through Criminal Ancestors was that it would probably be a title ignored by many family historians and that is a great shame. Completely by accident I discovered more about one branch of my family tree thanks to a casual conversation with Hull Archivist Carol Tanner. Had this book been around a few years earlier, and had I the sense to invest in a copy, I would have saved hundreds of hours searching for the 'monkeys' that inhabit that particular branch. Do not fool yourself into thinking that your ancestors were not of the criminal classes; you will one day find yourself very much surprised.

This is a fascinating book which provides the reader with an amazing array of potential resources, advice on how to find, access and use them and some very interesting case histories to boot. Crimewatch could learn a lot from this bunch of villians.

East Yorkshire Family History Society

'Wade's book - offering a social background, some interesting case studies and a handy resource guide - will come as a much needed aid for anyone who suspects their ancestor might have ended up on the wrong side of the law.'

Ross Gilfillan, Ancestors London Special 2010

This is a fascinating book which provides the reader with an amazing array of potential resources, advice on how to find, access and use them and some very interesting case histories to boot. Crimewatch could learn a lot from this bunch of villains!

The Banyan Tree

The book is a helpful guide and introduction, which is the aim of this useful, expanding series.

Clive Emsley, Who Do You Think You Are Magazine

All in all, if your ancestors were criminals, debtors, or drunks, or otherwise involved in a court case in England or Wales, then I strongly recommend this book.

Borders Family History Society

In all the book is a mine of information and even gives details of various websites and internet resources for those researching online. All through the book are true-life examples of records used in order to help the reader build up a picture of how the structure and justice system of the day worked, by quoting specific examples.

...fascinating reading...

The North Cheshire Family Historian