What I can find out
Family history research consists of genealogy research to trace your ancestors with additional
information added to help you understand where and how your ancestors lived. Sometimes information
is available from military service records as well.
In addition to the usual sources of information (census 1841 to 1901 and Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate
registrations 1837 onwards) I can access parish records at the Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, West Bromwich
Smethwick and Lichfield and Chester Cathedral archive centres.
I can also research local history and events, although this will always require visits to archive centres.
Getting Started
First I would suggest you need to have a look at the
What I Need
page. Decide what information you have available and then contact me, by email, letter, phone or in person.
I would be happy to meet at my premises for a free 1 hour discussion over coffee to discuss your needs and the
best way forward.
You need to decide a budget - how much do you want to spend? As explained on the
Prices
page you pay me by the hour.
It is almost impossible for me to give you an estimate, as sometimes what I expect to be an easy search ends up
taking ages. e.g. I was looking for Mary Ann Crosby and found her quite easily in 1851, 1861 an 1881 census years,
but no sign in the 1871 at all. I eventually found her listed as Marianne Crossley.
Once you have decided what you can afford and we have agreed what needs doing you send me a cheque and as soon
it clears into my bank I will get started.
I will endeavor to complete your work as quickly as possible and will keep you up to date by email. If
there is any need to buy certificates or visit archive centres then I will contact you first for approval.
If certificates are ordered they can take up to a week to arrive, however I will do my best to continue
working around that, there may however be delays waiting for certificates.
