Family Tree Research Service:
"I'm a full time researcher with over six years experience, and a member of the Society of Genealogists and Association of Professional Genealogists. If you are looking for somebody to research your Family Tree,
I'd be happy to provide you with a free consultation and quotation. I can research one individual, one surname, a whole family tree, or any other combination of ancestors you require! Fixed price packages are available for popular research options.
I will always refer to original source documents and obtain official birth, death or marriage documents to prove your ancestry."
FAQs:
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How Far Back can you go?
Using 19th and 20th century sources, it is possible to trace most families back to the early 1800s - there are of course exceptions to this - your ancestors may have been immigrants for example. Before this, some parish records exist as far back as 1538 but
realistically research from parish records may take your family tree back to the late 1600s - 1700s. I would normally recommend researching back to the early 1800s first, then the cost and feasbibility of tracing back further through parish and non parochial registers can be better assessed. Parish registers are most often held at local County Records Offices, I can undertake pre 19th Century research in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire; for locations further
afield I can if required co-ordinate research with a local 3rd party researcher.
What Will I Find Out?
For Family Tree packages, whether you select one line, two lines or a complete ancestry, I'll aim to discover when and where your ancestors were born, who they married, what their occupations were, where they lived and any children revealed by the censuses. It is not usually necessary to obtain death certificates for the purpose of proving one's ancestry, however if you would like details of deaths I can search for these, note that this will add to the overall cost. Finally, research is flexible, so I'll aim to provide the information that you are interested in.
What if you can't find my Ancestors?
The preliminary checks that I make will ensure that enough records exist to begin your project. However if the trail does run dry, the total cost will be reduced, pro-rata, so you'll only pay for the research that has been carried out successfully.
What is the End Product?
For all Family Tree Packages You'll Receive:
(available as an add on to complement any research - please mention at time of ordering)
See package details for more information and examples of trees.
How long does this take?
A full ancestry can typically take around 3-4 months, smaller projects less, but for a guide allow around 2 weeks per generation. You'll be kept regularly informed about the progress of your research. If you require some research in a hurry, don't let these timescales put you off,it is often possible to complete in less time, especially if you have an unusual surname to research. I have completed projects for last minute gifts in 3 weeks before.
What are your Sources?
- 19th and 20th Century Research for England and Wales is conducted from:
- General Register Office civil records of Births, Deaths and Marriages for England and Wales (from 1837)
- 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 Census Returns for England and Wales
- The International Genealogical Index (IGI)
- Research can also be extended to include:
- Anglican Parish records for England and Wales - Baptisms,marriages and burials, and Bishop's Transcripts
- Non Parochial Registers - eg.records of Non-Conformists
- Other Parish Records, such as Vestry Minutes, and Poor Law records
- Scottish civil records of Birth, Death and Marriage (from 1855)
- Scottish Old Parish Registers
- Scottish Census Returns from 1841
- Wills and probate records
- Historical Directories
- Military Records
- India Office Records
- Other sources on request
I regularly visit Oxfordshire and Berkshire Records Offices, and can access parish records from around the UK either at the Society of Genealogists in London, or via local researchers.