The UK’s first ever Start Your Family Tree Week will be launched on December 26. It’s Britain’s first ever family history awareness campaign, and is supported by Find My Past, Genes Reunited, the Society of Genealogists, the Federation of Family History Societies, Eneclann, My-History, Pen and Sword Books, Your Family Tree Magazine and BBC Who Do You Think You Are Magazine, Family Tree Magazine and Martha Lane Fox.

This follows results of a survey showing that 42% of the population have started researching their ancestors. The week is designed to make the most of the internet to discover family history.

From Boxing Day 2010 right through to New Year’s Day there’ll be special offers and activities available every day, including free getting started guides, printable charts, discounts, competitions, and lots more.

Look out for the “Start your Family History” week promotions on the SoG website and newsblog where the Society of Genealogists will make available downloadable pdfs of their 10 tips for starting your family history, a 4 generation pedigree chart and updated Start your Family History Information leaflet

Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager of findmypast.co.uk commented: “We know from our customer surveys that Boxing Day is one of the most popular days of the year for people to research their family history. With the family gathered around for the festivities, it’s the perfect time to quiz the older generations on what they remember about the family, and get the youngsters inspired too about this rewarding and fascinating hobby.  And with many people not working between Christmas and New Year, you’re more likely to have time on your hands to get down to some serious record searching.”

Details of what’s on offer each day will be posted every day from Boxing Day onwards on the findmypast blog http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/ and Genes Reunited blog http://blog.genesreunited.co.uk/

So while Australia doesn’t officially have a “Start Your Family Tree Week” week, why not use it to encourage your brother, sister, cousin, parents, auntie or uncle or friend to start their own family history? You already know how fun and rewarding it can be, so why not encourage them to start the journey. Besides it is always more fun if you have someone who is also researching, that you can share the excitement with.