Recommended for collections  in genealogy, medieval studies, archival pedagogy, and historical method.

This important addition to our catalogue supports family historians who have traced their lineage to the limits of parish registers and now seek to navigate the medieval archive.

Written for readers fluent in modern genealogical method yet unfamiliar with medieval frameworks, the book offers clear orientation and practical insight. It invites researchers to approach medieval evidence with confidence, curiosity, and critical awareness.

For anyone seeking to bridge the gap between historical curiosity and academic rigour, Noble provides a practical roadmap to medieval genealogy, empowering readers to make informed assessments while appreciating the subtleties of probability, evidence, and interpretation.

He says: “This book offers a practical guide for family historians who have researched their pedigree back to the start of parish registers, but view the Middle Ages with some trepidation. It is neither a manual nor a directory of sources, but I hope it does what it says on the tin.

“I’ve written for readers who are well-versed in Modern Genealogy but may have only a popular understanding of Medieval history. I have, therefore, assumed a basic knowledge of family history research. The approach that I suggest is one of synthesis: using a variety of sources to assemble enough evidence to either corroborate the links we are confident about, or to assess the probability of those that are more speculative.”

Malcolm Noble’s work has been published by the Society of Genealogists and the Register of Qualified Genealogists. He has written local history of Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire, and has hosted the Talk Genealogy podcast for twelve years.  

A Practical Introduction to Medieval Genealogy will be published on 5 February 2026. You can pre-order a signed copy by emailing malcolmnoble@rocketmail.com

The lead-up to the launch is being supported by weekly editions of the Talk Genealogy Podcast. Further features will appear on this dedicated page, so come back as soon as you can!

The book will be available from all general outlets and a variety of on-line stores. At the moment, general copies may be reserved at Waterstones.

 978-1-9998092-6-3  £18.99      445pages  

BIC Qualifiers : WQY BookScan Product Class Code :T5.6 234mmx156mmx24.2mm