Family and Local History Research Services

I research and write stories of people, places and organisations in Kent, Sussex and London.  I can use my research and writing skills to tell the story of:

• One of your ancestors
• A branch or generation of your family
• Your home
• Your business or organisation

The type of work I do can be tailored to your requirements, but might include:

• Sorting, collating and presenting information you hold already
• Researching further information – specific and/or general background. This may be through online sources, or by visiting archives and libraries in London and the SouthEast.
• Writing up a story

I will agree with you in advance how to proceed. My usual approach is to carry out a specified number of hours of initial work (usually one or two days). This will provide you with some information and allow you to decide whether you want me to continue. At that stage we will agree on the content of the end product as well as the format, which can be anything from a Word document or PDF to a fully bound booklet.

Qualifications

I have an MA in in Medieval History, an MA in Library and Information Studies and an MSc in Housing.

In my career, voluntary work and leisure time I have done a wide range of writing and editing. This has included strategies, policies, bids, minutes, business plans, magazine articles and short stories. In recent years I have researched and written stories from my own family and other peoples’. I have also written articles for local history magazines, including the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society’s newsletter,

Please note:

I am experienced in family and local history research, but I am not a trained genealogist. This is reflected in the rate I charge. If you are looking for a comprehensive family tree, you would probably be better contacting a Member of AGRA (the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives), or APG (The Association of Professional Genealogists).