From accidental beginnings, Mike Hulme's interest in genealogy grew first into a hobby and then into a catalyst for re-inventing himself as he passed through the dangerous years of mid-life. The pursuit of his family origins engaged his intellect, imagination and emotions in new ways and altered the way he saw himself, others and his country's history. Imagined Memories is a memoir of this encounter with the past, an account of his discovery of the ways open to all of us for connecting with what has been. It will appeal to all those who have some first-hand experience of doing family history and to those who can't understand why anyone would want to spend thousands of hours finding out about dead people.