A NEW guide to help family historians research their ancestors in Worcestershire has been launched.

Tracing Your Ancestors in Worcestershire' is a guide to all the parishes of the old county of Worcestershire as it was prior to the reorganisation of local government in 1974.

It has been launched on the Worcester branch website of the Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry (BMSGH).

Information contained in the guide lists each parish in alphabetical order, outlines what sources are available and where they are held.

It also gives general information on the location of the parish, neighbouring parishes with, in some cases, photographs of the parish church. Other information can include details of Poor Law records, school records and details of other types of records that can be of help to the researcher.

The guide is the culmination of six years research by Arthur Lewis, chairman of the Worcester branch of BMSGH.

"When I started this project, I expected it to take a little while, but not six years," he said.

"Despite being put on the internet, I do not consider the project to be finished by any means, as there will always be items to add and corrections to be made.

"If any reader would like to make any comments, corrections or additions they would like included, I would be delighted to hear from them".

If you would like further information, Arthur Lewis can be contacted on 01905 458542 or by email at arthur.lewis1@btinternet.com