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Explore how the lives of your ancestors were shaped by traditions of cultures and faiths and how communities maintained and celebrated their beliefs.

For centuries, the patterns of our ancestors' lives were shaped by traditions of culture and faith, and they left a rich legacy of documents, registers and possessions. This wide-ranging guide shows how to use religious records of life's milestones - such as christening, confirmation, marriage and burial - in family history research, drawing on material in the National Archives and elsewhere. It covers the diverse faiths of Britain - Church of England, Catholic, Noncomformist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and others - and suggests the best sources for each, from the earliest records to more recent times.

Full of practical advice for all levels of experience, the book offers solutions for common problems and advice on how to find out more. It also explores how and where communities maintained their beliefs, from celebrations and festivals to religious buildings and schools.

Abi Husainy, records specialist in South Asian history at The National Archives, contributes a chapter exploring the establishment of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh cultures and faiths in Britain since the 1830s, and points to numerous record sources in the UK and Asia.

• The historical background 
• Life stages and religious records 
• Denominations and their records 
• Movement for the sake of religion 
• Catholic and Jacobite records 
• Huguenot records 
• Jewish records 
• South Asian cultures and faiths 
• Sources and records 

Author: Michael Gandy is a renowned genealogist, professional researcher, lecturer, author and editor of The Genealogists' Magazine. He wrote Tracing Catholic Ancestors for the National Archives' award-winning Pocket Guide series and is a former chairman of the Catholic History Society. He has been tracing his own ancestry for over 40 years.