At some stage you are going to need to use a library or archive to research your ancestors. Libraries, of course, contain books (sometimes called secondary material or secondary sources , while archives have original or primary material.

Genealogical research at one of the libraries can be a daunting experience, especially if it feels like everybody else seems to know what they are doing. However, don't worry - you have a right to be there. The staff are generally friendly and helpful, and your fellow researchers will also generally be only too willing to share their knowledge. Indeed most people enjoy themselves so much that they can't wait to go back!

Most large (sometimes known as central) libraries will have an area known as a local studies or local history library. There you can find out about the history of your area and the people who lived in the locality. They should have a comprehensive collection of books about the district, including street directories as well as the most common genealogical resources on microfilm or CD, including:

Their greatest asset is often a comprehensively indexed collection of press cuttings from local, and sometimes national, newspapers going back to before the First World War.

Record offices are very different places from libraries. Unlike libraries where books on the same subject are grouped together, archival material is normally arranged by who created the material rather than by subject.

At the National Archives, for example, all War Office records have the prefix WO, while at a local archive records from a particular council or business are normally kept together.

You will normally have to obtain a readers' ticket to visit a record office. This means having some proof of identity, with your name and address on it (such as a driving licence or gas bill). You will also need to take a pencil with you as pens are not allowed, and coats and bags are stored in special lockers. It is a very good idea to ring up a few days before you intend to visit to check:

Most original documents can be found in one of three places:

There is no hard and fast rule about who has what. National repositories in particular hold much of purely local interest, while papers relating to a colonial plantation might well be found in a local archive.

It can sometimes be difficult to track down an individual archive (particularly the smaller ones), although most now have a presence on the internet.

You can find links to most sites at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/. There are two places online to check whether an archive has what you are looking for:

Neither resource (particularly A2A) is 100% complete. They describe only the collection or the individual document, but will not list everybody who may be mentioned in it. So at first sight an unpromising report describing the arrival of migrants at Hull might well contain a list of individuals with their personal details. You'll never know unless you check!

Another valuable place to undertake research is at one of the Family History Centre that are scattered throughout Britain and, indeed, the world. They are run by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons or LDS Church). You do not have to be a Mormon to use them. You can find the nearest one at www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp?PAGE=library_fhc_find. They hold some basic British family history material, copies of the FamilySearch CD and IGI. Most importantly, for a small fee, they will order microfilm copies from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The Library has huge collections of genealogical material, with over 2.2 million rolls of microfilmed records for almost every country in the world. Films normally take about a month to arrive.

Since most centres are run by volunteers the level of their knowledge can be somewhat limited. On the other hand, the volunteers have seemingly limitless patience: if you are very nervous about beginning your research they are a good place to start. The largest British centre is:

The Hyde Park Centre
64-68 Exhibition Road
South Kensington
London SW7
Tel: (020) 7589 8561

The Centre has many records relating to the Caribbean, as many of its patrons are researching ancestors who came from the region.

On first sight family history may seem quite a solitary hobby, particularly if your family isn't interested in their ancestry. However, many places now have a family history society which usually meets monthly, offering the chance to meet other enthusiasts, and regular lectures on all aspects of family history are given by experts. Without exception they are very welcoming to newcomers!

Even if you can't get to meetings they all publish regular journals with articles on family history and news from further afield, and their web sites often contain very useful information. Some societies also organise regular trips to London archives. If you are really bitten by the genealogical bug then it is well worth joining your local society. A full list can be found here at www.ffhs.org.uk/General/Members/index.

There are also a number of more specialist societies for people descended from immigrants, all of which have regular meetings and publish indexes and guides to help researchers. Read more about Specialist Societies and Information on Joining a Family History Class.

Although research is a deeply satisfying pastime in itself, you should ultimately aim to write up your study and publish it in some way so that other people can make use of your work (think how you benefited from the research of others). For the three main ways to do this please refer to our Writing and Publishing Your Research page. While researching sometimes information on ancestors may seem inconclusive or ambiguous. Take time to read our section on Family History Research Pitfalls that give frequent problems that arise and possible solutions.