Family History Forums

Using genealogy forums can help a lot if you’re looking to connect with other family historians, ask for help finding records and finding answers to your family’s past.

  • RootsChat
    This is the most popular genealogy and family history forum in the UK. There are almost 200,000 users and more than 4.5 million posts. It’s also, probably, the best place to ask questions as there are many experienced family historians who can answer you or point you in the right direction. Free, but you’ll need to register.
  • Genealogy Forum
    A web forum for the discussion of UK genealogy and family history research.
  • Genealogy Specialists
    Genealogy Specialists aka Top Dog offers mutual FREE help to each other in tracing ancestors, following family trees and putting the flesh on the skeletons that they discover.
    Their membership ranges from enthusiastic amateurs to professional genealogists and, if they do not know an answer, they will certainly be able to point people in the right direction to find it.
  • Family Tree Forum
    Family Tree Forum is a community based site where registered users can ask for or give genealogy and family history advice. It’s free to register and use.
  • GenForum
    GenForum is a genealogy and family history forum which can be viewed by surname or country. Most countries from around the world are represented.
  • RootsWeb Message Boards
    The world’s largest online genealogy community with over 25 Million posts on more than 198,000 boards.
  • Genes Reunited Message Boards
    The message boards are really a forum, which is part of the Genes Reunited site. The boards are very active and I’ve used them myself to break down a few brick walls. You need to subscribe to see the family history records, but the forum is free to use if you register.
  • Tribal Pages Genealogy Forum
    Worldwide coverage, but very useful and popular.
  • British Genealogy Forum
    Free UK genealogy and ancestry forum
  • CuriousFox
    CuriousFox, the village by village contact site for anyone researching family history, genealogy and local history in the UK and Ireland.
  • Great War Forum
    The Great War Forum is a very active place to discuss and find help about your military ancestors and their war experiences.

Local Genealogy Forums

  • Birmingham History Forum
    The Birmingham History Forum is an active site which has many topics for family historians and genealogists looking to research their Birmingham ancestors, local and family history.
  • Kent History Forum
    The place to discuss all things history related in Kent. You’ll find many others discussing all manner of topics from aircraft to dockyards to POW camps. It’s also possible to make family history look-up requests from other users.
  • Liverpool Genealogy Forum
    The Liverpool Genealogy Forum covers queries within the area of Lancashire between the Ribble and the Mersey including Liverpool, Southport, Warrington, Skelmersdale, Leigh and Widnes.
  • Manchester Family History Forum
    The Manchester Family History Forum aims to help its members with their family history research. Members can help each other to find the resources they need when researching in the areas of Manchester & Salford.
  • Sheffield History Forum
    Sheffield History is an active site with a popular forum related to the local history of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. It has a section related to genealogy.