What is the furthest back anyone has traced their family tree?

[jamesy boy]

Obviously, the Royals can trace theirs back centuries, but what about non-aristocratic people?

Just curious.

[dml54]

1679

[Peter Pedant]

1790

Nineteenth century is straightforward as the census back to 1861 are on the Internet. Pre 1837 then one needs the parish records. I can tell you its easier if your name is Ponsonby-Goodbody-Smyth from Little Futtock, rather than Smith or Brown from Manchester

[Solarjunkie]

A friend of mine gets back to 1066.

Mine goes back to about 1565.

[Grunty]

I can trace mine to 1200 (mostly through someone else's hard work). 

[jake-the-peg]

In 1538 an act was passed by to require parishes to keep a record of births deaths and marriages.

It's difficult for most people to reliably trace their family back before then because records of common people were few and far between.

Just another little something Oliver Cromwell did for us.

[kaktus]

15 and something, I can't remember the exact year :0)

[jno]

Oliver Cromwell wasn't around in 1538 was he, Jake? Henry VIII's time.

In my case late 1600s, also thanks to somebody else's work.

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry wrong Cromwell - Thomas not Oliver

[silly moo]

pre 1605 - at least my aunt did.

[callisto]

A relative of mine found he was related to a pirate.

[jake-the-peg]

Cool could he get me the new Star-wars movie?

[Artemis]

3000 bc

[jno]

Artemis, could you give us a quick rundown of your family tree? As children see this site, you may omit any interaction between Jupiter and swans etc.

[druiaghtagh]

1760 is the furthest i can go, , its hard work and time consuming, caps, sorry!!

[gracey62]

adam end eve lol mine goes back to 1288

[hopalong]

I tarced my family tree but before 1855 Catholics are very hard to find.  I would love to go back further so if anyone can give me ideas please do so.  Thanks 

[CCorday]

Being a "WASP" living on the Texas Gulf Coast and at least one-eighth Native American Indian, I'm thrilled by these answers! Mine traces back (one branch does) to early 1700's and an American blackguard named Benjamin Thompson who somehow got to be dubbed "the Earl of Rumsford." They say he was a traitor to the Cause, among other bad things, but also a scientist. How good are the ancestral records kept in Ireland and Scotland, do any of you know?

[hopalong]

CCorday.  Records in the UK only became compulsory in 1855. Before that you will need to find church records. 

[hopalong]

ccorday   try this site

http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

[THECORBYLOON]

I can trace mines back to 1545 so what's that, 6 1/2 hours.......