Genealogical fiction is a sub-genre of fiction which combines several elements including history, social and cultural issues, and genealogical research. These stories often, but not always, incorporate murder mysteries. The best of them also highlight good genealogical research practice. The books listed here are some of those I’ve read and recommend.

Morton Farrier Forensic Genealogist series

The Morton Farrier Forensic Genealogist series by Nathan Dylan Goodwin features Morton Farrier, a professional genealogist who takes on cases for people wanting to uncover the truth about some aspect of their families. As the series progresses, secrets from Morton’s own family are also revealed and explored. Morton is English and although the majority of his cases are set in England’s south-east, there are some geographic tangents. Themes covered include: women’s suffrage, smuggling, world war, espionage, adoption, and family secrets of various kinds. There are at least ten Morton stories to enjoy, each featuring a different historical period and/or subject.

Venator Cold Case series

The Venator Cold Case series is also written by Nathan Dylan Goodwin. It’s set in the USA where Madison Scott-Barnhart works as an investigative genetic genealogist (IGG). Her business Venator has a small group of employees, each with their own area of expertise valuable in helping to trace and identify people in cold cases, and sometimes hot ones. One of Venator’s primary clients is quickly becoming law enforcement agencies who have begun to see the benefits an IGG can bring to solving long-term mysteries. This means the themes explored may be more graphic or confronting than those of regular genealogical research. Sub-plots running through the series also include issues and secrets from the personal lives of each of the characters, sometimes complicating their work lives as well. There are two books in the series so far, with more anticipated.

Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mysteries series

The Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mysteries by M. J. Lee are about a former English police detective whose hobby becomes her business after she can’t remain in the force any longer. In her quest to solve mysteries brought to her by clients who need her expertise, Jayne Sinclair is supported by the advice of her stepfather who first introduced her to the world of genealogical research. M. J. Lee focuses on a different historical period in each story, starting with Ireland and the Easter uprising of 1916, and then on to World War One’s Battle of the Somme. There are eight books in the series so far.

Jefferson Tayte Genealogical Mysteries series

Steve Robinson’s Jefferson Tayte Genealogical Mysteries star an American genealogist whose cases tend to drag him into dangerous situations. Many also bring him to British shores. Jefferson’s cases include a family who seem to have vanished 200 years ago, a locket that belonged to someone who apparently died wearing it when a ship sank, a potential link between famous scientists and treason, and more. There’s also the small matter of heir hunters, and the mystery of Jefferson’s own birth identity. Strap yourself in for a wild ride as Jefferson Tayte investigates, and sometimes has to fight for his life. There are eight books in this series.

The Mags and Biddy Genealogy Mystery series

The Mags and Biddy Genealogy Mystery series by Eliza Watson is set in Ireland. Mags Murray is American. Thanks to her Irish grandmother, who she visited a lot, she’s inherited not just a love of genealogy, but also her grandmother’s historic cottage. When Mags and her Irish friend Biddy are drawn into helping a young man uncover the identity of his birth father, Mags decides she might just stay in Ireland and start a genealogy business. Mags and Biddy are not your run-of-the-mill genealogists, and they find themselves in regular scrapes. Inspired by the author’s own experiences exploring her ancestral home town and buying a property there, this is a ‘cozy mystery’ series of six books that are easy to enjoy.

Esme Quentin Mysteries series

In the first story of The Esme Quentin Mysteries by Wendy Percival, Esme, a former journalist’s researcher, is determined to discover what’s behind her sister’s assault. Family secrets are revealed and Esme finds herself on the path to a possible new career. In future stories she researches an old photograph, what happened to a wartime nurse, and a hundred-year-old murder. Each of the cases has more to them than it seems. People from Esme’s past also make an appearance, and don’t always make life easy. There are seven stories in the series so far.