The UK’s first ever Start Your Family Tree Week was launched on December 26. It was Britain’s first ever family history awareness campaign and was 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.

Boxing Day is apparently 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 there is more likely to be time to get down to some serious record searching.

Australia doesn’t officially have a “Start Your Family Tree Week” yet.