“A well researched, informative and helpful book for the many family historians whose Protestant ancestors lived in Northern Europe.” —Federation of Family History Societies Between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, many thousands of Protestants fled religious persecution in France and the Low Countries. They became one of the most influential immigrant communities in the countries where they settled, and many families in modern-day Britain will find a Huguenot connection in their past. Kathy Chater’s authoritative handbook offers an accessible introduction to Huguenot history and to the many sources that researchers can use to uncover the Huguenot ancestry they may not have realized they had. She traces the history of the Huguenots; their experience of persecution, and their flight to Britain, North America, the West Indies and South Africa, concentrating on the Huguenot communities that settled in England, Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands. Her work is also an invaluable guide to the various sources researchers can turn to in order to track their Huguenot ancestors, for she describes the wide range of records that is available in local, regional and national archives, as well as through the internet and overseas. Her expert overview is essential reading for anyone studying their Huguenot ancestry or immigrant history in Britain. “This is a useful, up to date, practical guide for anyone who has, or thinks they have, Huguenot ancestors in the British Isles. It provides social and contextual assistance along with guidance on what records have survived, where to find them and how to use them.” —Milner Genealogy

Director of the 1985 Huguenot Heritage tercentenary commemoration, Gwynn surveys the contributions to Britain and Ireland by the French-speaking Calvinist refugees who crossed the Channel between the 16th and 18th centuries. Among the topics are the situation in France, settlements in England, government reaction, crafts and trades, churches, opposition, the impact of Louis XIV's defeat, and assimilation. The first edition was published by Routledge in 1985; the second incorporates literature published and artefacts discovered since then, and is more comprehensively footnoted. All referencing material has been updated tin the light of new findings. And the plate section has been expanded to take into account recently available pictures of Huguenot artefacts and scenes.