DELVING into the fascinating details of your ancestors, how and where they lived, who they lived with and their occupations is as popular as ever.

Now Worcestershire County Council Archive and Archaeology Service is offering workshops to help people begin or further their research into their family history by using Ancestry.co.uk.

The county council’s service has been running these popular workshops using the well-used family history website for 10 years, allowing Worcestershire residents free access to the information Ancestry.co.uk offers.

The next workshop will be held on Wednesday February 10 from 2-4pm on the Explore the Past Floor, level 2 of The Hive. There will also be a re-run on Wednesday March 16 from 7 to 9pm.

There a mass of information on the website, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start and what it all means.

These workshops off people the chance to access the expertise of the county archive and archaeology staff, and reflect experiences and questions our users have asked.

Participants will find out all about the particular historical sources before having the opportunity to do their own research on the computers in the second half of the workshop.

The workshop would also be useful for those who have already used the website but want to learn how to make the most of it.

Paul Hudson, learning and outreach manager at Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, said: "These workshops have always been popular because they help people get the most out of this great family history website which is free to access in The Hive.

“Tracing your ancestors is as popular as ever, and these workshops will help you use some of the best resources for getting started."

Places cost £6 each, and are limited so must be booked in advance. Bookings can be made through www.thehiveworcester.org/event.html.

For more information call 01905 766352 or email explorethepast@worcestershire.gov.uk.

In addition to these workshops, there is a wealth of local historical information on the Explore the Past floor at The Hive.

This includes the Original Archive Area where people can view original documents held by the county council and an extensive collection of Worcester City records, school, hospital, business and the private records of local families and estates.

Access to original records is only available during staffed hours so visit http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20207/visiting_us/1053/opening_hours_and_travel_information to find out when they can be accessed.

There is a self-service area available from 8.30am to 10pm when people can see a wide range of sources such as parish registers, newspapers and wills available on microfilm; an extensive local studies and archaeology reference library; computers available for internet use and searching our electronic catalogues and indexes; free access to the Ancestry website and a wide range of finding aids and resources.

The Historic Environment Record (HER), which is fully accessible to the public, contains over 26,000 records relating to archaeological sites, historic buildings, and historic environment features, from early prehistoric finds to medieval agricultural landscapes and recent industrial structures, and from large-scale excavations to building records and individual finds.

As well as holding all of the records for the county, the HER is available for the city of Worcester. Simple enquiries can be dealt with during normal opening hours and a member of the city HER is present in The Hive on Tuesday mornings to answer detailed enquiries.

Users wishing to speak to a member of staff to guide them through the resources on offer are able to book a 30 minute appointment free of charge. To make an appointment with the HER team please call 01905 765560 or email archaeology@worcestershire.gov.uk