To coincide with the new series of the BBC's hugely popular television series Who Do You Think You Are, the North Yorkshire County Record Office is to stage more of its popular Family History events. With a Skills Day on Saturday 4 September, a Beginners' Day on Saturday 9 October and Ancestry in the Archives on Saturday 6 November, a wealth of expert advice is on hand to help people delve back into their family histories. All the events take place in the County Record Office at Malpas Road, Northallerton and are led by an experienced family history tutor.

For more experienced researchers, the Family History Skills Day on Saturday 4 September includes getting the best from the Internet and family tree recording software; it features tuition from an archivist on approaches to Latin and palaeography (old handwriting). There is an optional tour behind "behind the scenes" at lunchtime. The cost is £25, including light refreshments and a buffet lunch.

The Family History Beginners' Day on Saturday 9 October provides an exploration of first steps in family history, including census and registration records. Record Office staff cover parish registers and other sources in a practical session in the archive Search Room. The cost is £25, including light refreshments and a buffet lunch.

The Ancestry event on Saturday morning 6 November is a three hour session for absolute beginners: how to go about it, making use of the Internet, and learning what can be found at the Record Office. The cost is £10, including light refreshments and a "behind the scenes" tour of the Record Office.

Feedback from past events has been very positive: for most people the sessions are enjoyable and 'exceed expectations'. To find out more about the Record Office, or to book a place on one of the Family History Days, telephone 01609 777585 or e-mail archives@northyorks.gov.uk

"Studying your family history is an absorbing hobby, and the expert help and advice available from the County Record Office is a great way of getting started on it," said County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire County Council's Executive Member for Adult and Community Services.