FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

With the advent of the internet, the way in which family history records can be accessed has changed enormously. Whilst much is now available online and it is often possible to trace English ancestors back to the early 1800s using online records, many documents have not been digitised or indexed and particularly for earlier periods nothing beats going to the relevant local record office to carry out research to find out more information about families and trace lines back further. 

All research is tailored to the specific needs of the client and is discussed at the outset to ensure your requirements are fully understood and a scope of work agreed.  Research can vary from just a quick look up to confirm a specific reference and supply a photocopy/photograph to undertaking a full family history as far back as records survive. Alternatively a range of standard family tree packages are available for a fixed price. 

Depending on your requirements, I will search the relevant records that are available and relevant to your request and will report back with my findings, which will give full details of all the records consulted including relevant sources.  A family tree will also be supplied where appropriate. To avoid unnecessary work (and costs!) it is requested that you provide details of any previous research undertaken, including for instance, extracts from relevant birth, marriage and death certificates and information from census returns.

It is often very interesting to put ‘leaves on the tree’ to try and give some indication of the kind of lives your ancestors may have led.  I can research other records to find out more detailed information such as records of schools attended, apprenticeships served, provisions of wills and records of attendance at civil and criminal courts. Photographs can be taken of the parish church attended by your ancestors, their homes (assuming they are still standing!) and other relevant places. Recommendations for any future lines of enquiry shall also be given where appropriate. 

I can undertake online based family history research for English ancestors back to the early 1800s. I also specialise in archival research in the counties of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire, (back as far as records survive) and my thorough knowledge of local record sources and familiarity with the local area means that clients can rely on receiving a thorough and cost effective service. I also regularly visit the Bodleian Library at Oxford and the National Archives at Kew.