Family History Research

~ Research in archives

Back in 1992 when I began researching family history, almost all research involved travelling to archives and going through records by hand. Even today it is often still necessary to visit archives in person to patiently trawl through original documents or microfilmed copies. I am fortunate in living within easy reach of London where there are several major archives which hold collections of national as well as local relevance. These include:
  • The National Archives, Kew ~ link
  • Library of the Society of Genealogists, London ~ link
  • London Metropolitan Archives ~ link 
  • Guildhall Library, City of London ~ link
  • British Library, St Pancras ~ link
  • The National Maritime Museum ~ link
  • City of Westminster Archives ~ link 
The County Record Offices of Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire are also within travelling distance. Where research needs to be undertaken in an archive located elsewhere in the country, I may be able to visit in person or where more practical I can usually commission other carefully-selected colleagues to assist.

~ Research online

Indexes, catalogues, and an ever-increasing amount of primary source material are available online. I have subscriptions to the major English databases. Getting the best out of these resources requires a good understanding of the records, as well as skill in finding and using electronic sources. My training as a professional information scientist makes me particularly well-equipped to undertake this kind of research.

Genealogy Research Reports

For research-focussed commissions (for instance, to solve a specific mystery, to support or extend your own research, or in preparation for a family biography) you will receive a traditional genealogy research report. This will give a detailed description of the research undertaken and what was found, including the logical process by which conclusions have been reached and recommendations for future work.
A typical research report usually covers 6-12 hours research. Depending on your preference it can be supplied electronically or on paper. If you are reasonably local, I am happy to meet with you in person to walk you through the findings. If not, I am happy to hold consultations on Zoom.
As well as the research report itself you will generally receive copies of the original materials consulted, with explanations as necessary. In most cases I will include a computer-generated Family History report which brings together all the details established about your family, including family tree charts, up to A3 size. If the project progresses through several rounds of research, you will see the family history report and its accompanying trees grow as the new information is added.
You may also be interested in my range of presentation reports, books and family tree charts ~ see Books & Trees.
Please don't hesitate to contact me to see how I can help you with your research.
~ Testimonials
I thoroughly recommend Family Folios as a wonderful way to discovery your family history.  Investigations and fact finding are thorough and the explanation and presentation of information is wonderfully personal and passionate.  No guesses, just hard facts bringing the sense of lives lived through the generations of our ancestors.
~ Giles G. (Warwickshire)
Your research is quite astonishing: I never thought that anyone could get this far!! Your report is not only soundly researched but meticulously presented and annotated. I would recommend you to anyone who wants to learn about their family history.
~ Oliver R. (Enfield, London)
Thank you SO much for yesterday - another breath-taking, eye-opening and thoroughly enjoyable experience. All the sessions spent with you have been the journey into the past which I had been planning to make for so long ... I was completely blown away by it all!  For me what had previously been bits of very sketchy orally passed-down information, or simply hearsay, about family members suddenly became a very authentic part of a storyboard where various characters and their back stories were brought to life.
~ Christine R. (Ipswich)
Dear Angela, I would like to say than you very much from both me and my mum. Mum now knows why she knew nothing about her grandparents and some things have now fallen into place for her.
~ Gina K. (Kent)
A great deal of information was found and in a lot of detail and so I was very happy with the experience and will do more in the future. The work produced was both prompt and reliable. The texts and reports were clear, detailed and professionally presented.
~ Kevin D. (Hertfordshire)
I needed someone to be my 'eyes' at the London Archives and other places of historic records. Family Folios have always provided the details I had been searching for or, if not, then a report would be forthcoming with the reasons as to the failure to progress any further. I have been very happy with the results of all my requests to Family Folios.
~ Helen T. (Australia)