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As a genealogy researcher with over 25 years’ experience delving into Essex and London ancestry, I am familiar with the usual family history documents, and also with interesting material for specific towns and parishes.

So much is now available on the internet, but there’s more to find when original parish documents and local knowledge comes into play. This is what really brings family history to life!

My creative thinking and experienced approach leads you on from the basics; I know exactly where to look to prove those missing links, and make discoveries to put your ancestors into context. 

Some earlier documents are in difficult handwriting, or even Latin – this presents no problem; I am competent in handling material from Medieval to the Present Day.

I enjoy good interaction with the client, and report back regularly with results, ready to discuss the next stage.

I am based in Chelmsford, close to the Essex Record Office, with specialist knowledge in finding Essex ancestors.

I make regular visits to London repositories; London Metropolitan Archive, Guildhall Library, Westminster Archive, The National Archives and the Society of Genealogists Library.

Ancestry in other parts of the UK can often be traced using records at the Society of Genealogists Library.

By arrangement, I also make visits to Hertfordshire and Suffolk Record Offices, and other counties.

I am the custodian of Baxter’s Indexes: Essex Marriage and Burial, an important resource, compiled by Jack Baxter, which offers comprehensive coverage for the county within dates, [marriages 1754-1851, burials 1813-1865] and is not available online. This index is invaluable in discovering elusive marriages and burials. I make full use of these indexes when building clients’ family trees, as well as answering specific index enquiries.

As well as genealogy research, I also enjoy discovering house history and local history, both of which add context to family history.

“Brick Walls”;  – I can’t promise that I can solve the “impossible”, but I love working on a puzzle. A fresh eye, with suggestions of new sources, often does reach the answer.

Locating living relatives or long-lost friends; - I can help with this.

I look forward to hearing from you with your questions and requests.