Experience and Credentials

I have over twenty years' experience of genealogical research. During that time I have not only researched my own family tree extensively, but have also undertaken many projects for clients in Britain and overseas.

Six years ago I took and passed an Adult Education Teacher Training Course, the City and Guilds 7307, stage one. This was so that I could pass on my experiences to others wishing to start researching their family history.

In those years, my own experience has been from beginning a research line, to specialising in research in Britain for the descendants of emigrants and immigrants, to covering a range of areas of study including Huguenots, Navy records, canal boatmen, coastguards and the records at the Public Record Office Kew. I am also familiar with most of the documentation and with the anomalies which can occur in them.

I know how to make effective use both of primary sources, such as parish records, and useful secondary sources, such as the 'parish chest' and school archives.

Finding the records you need in archives which are unfamiliar to you is not easy. You could waste days discovering where to go, what to ask for and how to use the documents which are available. I can help you plan your research, tell you where to go and what to look for. I can help you interpret what you find and suggest the next step to help you towards results.

How I can help with your family history research?

Finding the records you need in archives which are unfamiliar to you is not easy. You could waste days discovering where to go, what to ask for and how to use the documents which are available. I can help you plan your research, tell you where to go and what to look for, help you interpret what you find and suggest the next step to help you towards results.

How can I be of use to you if you have started your research?

How can I help to make your visit to Britain enjoyable and rewarding?

• Consult me before you start your research in Britain.
• I can check your intended course of research.
• I can accompany you and be your help and guide wherever you wish to research.
• I can be available for advice by telephone on your research days.
• If, however you are not visiting Britain in the near future and wish me to do some research for you in Britain, I shall be happy to help. Fax, phone or write to me for more details.

Looking in the right place

There are other potential problems which are not always obvious, however well you think you have done your research. I met a group of visitors in the London Record Centre searching through the Indexes of birth registrations. Amongst the birth dates they were researching was one in 1820. They had realised that registration had started in 1837 in England, and thought that baptismal records would, like birth registrations, be indexed and at the London Record Centre as well.

I had to point out that the only place to find an original record of a baptism is in the parish records, which are held by the county record offices, although, for some parishes, you may also find information on the International Genealogical Index (IGI). Their holiday was short, and the wasted time prevented them achieving the results they wanted.

How I can get your research started

Consult me before you start your research in Britain. Fax through to me, or to your hotel before you travel marked for my attention, the information you have and details of the family line you hope to research. I can then quickly suggest, either by phone or fax or in person, a programme of research to achieve effective verifiable results.

I can show you examples of British documents and show you how to interpret them. I can advise you where to go to acquire the information you need and on the foible of British record offices. I can offer a consultation at your hotel at a time convenient to you. If you wish, I can also accompany you for the day and help you personally, so that much more will be achieved.

My rate is £20 per hour for consultations, £100 per day for accompanying you on your research, in both cases including my travel expenses to meet you if you are located in London or the South-East. Travel expenses to meet you further afield are negotiable.

If you hear of my services before arriving in Britain, it would help you and me if you fax or mail details of your proposed research well before your arrival.