THE first Start Your Family Tree Week will be launched on December 26.

It is the UK’s first ever family history awareness campaign, supported by Find My Past, Genes Ruinted, the Society of Genealogists and Martha Lane Fox.

It follows results of a survey showing that 42 per cent of the population have started researching their ancestors.

The week is designed to make the most of the internet to discover family history.

Research shows that people would rather discover a notorious criminal in their history than an acclaimed MP.

June Perrin, CEO of the Society of Genealogists said: “It will encourage people to take the first step on the path to learning all about their own personal history."