Family HistoryYour guide to resources.

Actress, Sheila Hancock’s journey took her to variety of interesting places. In Italy she learnt more of her Milan-born father Enrico Hancock’s family.

Her maternal ancestors descended from the Zurhorst family; mercantile agents involved in the shipping trade in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

At this time London was a hugely important and bustling port, crowded with tall ships unloading their cargo into warehouses as it awaited transport to the next destination. Indeed this was an extremely significant period in British history and established London as a centre for international trade and commerce.

Getting Started

Some of the most important sources are wills or probate inventories

A will can give you quite a lot of information about a family, friends and possessions. It can also can shed light on your ancestor’s trade or profession.

Find out more with our online guide to family history

Going Further

Were your ancestors merchants? The census can tell you your ancestor’s occupation. Another profession involved with trade were customs officials and Royal Warrant Holders