How the research works
I begin by comparing the names, dates and place names you already have. For families abroad, old letters and migration records can be particularly useful because they may preserve an earlier spelling of a village name.
I then identify parish registers, civil records or other archival sources that may contain the entry. We discuss access to the relevant material and the limits of the search before work begins.
A possible match is checked against dates, relatives and place of residence. Sharing a surname alone does not establish that a record belongs to your family.
What you receive
- A copy of the located record, where copying is available.
- An archival reference or a link that allows the source to be checked.
- An explanation of the record and how it relates to your starting information.
What to prepare
- The ancestor’s name and any known surname variants.
- The place, approximate year and event you are looking for.
- Photographs or copies of records already held by your family.