Begin with records
Work confidently with archives, vital records, family trees and Jewish genealogy databases.
MICHAEL ABELAUTHOR · GENEALOGISTGet in touchA practical guide to discovering where you come from
Your family story is waiting to be found.
Uncover your Jewish roots through historical records, family trees and DNA—with clear guidance for turning scattered clues into a story your family can keep.
f Follow CFM Media on Facebook ↗HISTORICAL RECORDSFAMILY TREESDNA EVIDENCE
30+ YEARSof family research
Inside the book
From a name on a page
to a place in your story.
Genealogy can feel overwhelming. This book gives you a clear route through the records, tools and DNA results—while recognising the complexities unique to Jewish family history.
Understand the obstacles
Navigate name changes, patronymics, migration, missing records and the special challenge of endogamy.
Make DNA useful
Turn matches, centimorgans, clusters and triangulated segments into evidence you can actually follow.
For curious beginners and experienced researchers
Build a family history that is evidence-led, meaningful and made to last.
“Genealogy begins with curiosity—but it becomes something more: a gift to the generations who follow.”
About Michael
A researcher’s rigour.
A family man’s purpose.
Michael Abel has been researching his family history since 1995, building extensive family trees and connecting with relatives across countries and generations.
With a background in Engineering and Computer Science, Michael brings a systematic, practical approach to genealogy. When DNA testing became widely available, he embraced genetic genealogy—using shared matches, clustering and triangulation to solve questions that records alone could not answer.
His deepest motivation is personal: to preserve the discoveries, people and stories behind his family tree for his children, grandchildren and future generations.
1995Research began
3Major family-tree platforms
4Grandchildren inspiring the work
Reader resources
Keep researching
after the final page.
Research checklist
A practical starting sequence for organising names, places, dates and family clues.
Coming with the book →DNA testing guide
A plain-English comparison of the major test types and what each can reveal.
Coming with the book →Genealogy glossary
Quick definitions for the records, relationships and genetic terms used in the book.
Coming with the book →Talks & events
Bring family history
to life for your audience.
Michael is available for book conversations, genealogy groups, community events and practical sessions on using DNA in family-history research.
Enquire about an eventPublication begins 18 October 2026
Trace the records.
Understand the DNA.
Preserve the story.
The eBook is scheduled for 18 October, followed by the paperback on 22 October and hardcover on 24 October. Select your region to see the formats and retailers planned for launch.
A useful first step—free
Read the introduction
Discover how historical records, family trees and genetic genealogy can work together.
Download the introductionMicrosoft Word document · Opens with a compatible document reader.Companion website
View images from the book
Examine all 67 maps, family trees, DNA comparisons and detailed diagrams in high resolution—especially useful when reading the eBook.
View high-resolution imagesFind each image by the figure number printed in the book.