Qualifications

• Certificate of Higher Education in The Techniques of Local History Research - Birmingham University.
• In my penultimate year of a degree in Family,Community and Local History - Birmingham University.
• Attended a course in tracing Welsh ancestry - Aberystwyth University.
• Worked for Warwick County Record Office on both a paid and voluntary basis.
• Experience in palaeography and transcription of early English documents.
• Involved in family history since 1989, researching my own family and working for clients in USA, Canada and New Zealand.

Services

I have access to record repositories in Central England, South Wales and London.

My searches involve all primary and secondary sources, including census returns, parish registers, wills, trade directories, school records, quarter sessions records and maps to name but a few.

Wherever possible I research using original source material, as this proves to be more accurate. I provide photocopies / digital reproductions of all relevant entries found, for your records.

I use my knowledge of social history to enhance your understanding of the social conditions and historical events that shaped the lives of your ancestors. This background information has proved especially useful to overseas clients and is provided at no extra cost.

To help bring your family history to life, I can provide photographs of historic buildings and streets which would have been familiar to your ancestors. In some cases, your ancestors' home, school or parish church may still be standing.

I actively encourage you to stay involved in the research with regular updates and discussion via e-mail.

I do not contract any work out to other researchers, prefering instead to conduct all of the research myself.

Fees

My standard rate is £15 sterling per hour plus travel expenses dependent upon location. The only additional costs are for certificates, photo-copies, digital images and postage as required. These are all provided at cost price.