Family History Research
Connecting generations, one story at a time
Beginning your family history journey can be both exciting and rewarding. Discovering the long forgotten details of your family, their occupations, where they lived, who they married can bring you closer to your ancestors. Engaging a professional researcher ensures that your genealogical research is carried out to the highest standards by someone with extensive knowledge of the sources available.
Our tailored research packages offer varying levels of research and detail, combining expert investigation with engaging storytelling. Whether you’re seeking a glimpse into your family’s origins or a full investigation into your ancestors lives, we’re here to help you tell your family’s story.
Whichever package you choose, the research process always begins in the same way. Once we have received your enquiry you get a free initial consultation which will allow you to tell us what you already know about your family history, and share any relevant family documents you may possess.
Not sure which package would be right for you? Please get in touch via info@elizabethdoyle.co.uk or use the contact form above. Using a free initial consultation, we will be able to advise you the most appropriate research journey.
TWO GRANDPARENTS - £850
This package traces the ancestry of two of your grandparents back to at least 1800. It will chart the story of your ancestors where they lived, who they married and what they did for a living.
What’s included: Online and archival research
What you receive: A printed narrative report, digital copies of documents
Completion time: 12 weeks
FAMILY HISTORY PRINTS – £200
A beautiful way to display part of your family tree. We offer two options for our prints, either researching the client’s matrilineal ancestry (mother’s line), or patrilineal ancestry (father’s line).
What’s included: Online research only
What you receive: An A3 print
Completion time: 4 weeks
ONE GRANDPARENT - £400
This package traces the ancestry of one of your grandparents back to at least 1800. It will chart the story of your ancestors where they lived, who they married and what they did for a living.
What’s included: Online and archival research
What you receive: A printed narrative report, digital copies of documents
Completion time: 6-8 weeks
SPECIFIC ENQUIRES – £ VARIES
Ideal if you have a specific query about your family history. Perhaps you have a ‘brick wall’ in your family tree which may benefit from another pair of eyes?
What’s included: Online and archival research
What you receive: A digital research report
Completion time: 4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far back will the family history research go?
A: This depends on a variety of factors, most notably the availability of records. In most cases, the research will trace your ancestors back to at least 1800.
Q: Why is 1800 offered as the benchmark in your research packages?
A. In 1837 England and Wales began a national civil registration system for births, marriages and deaths, requiring these events to be reported to local registrars. These records, combined with census data, mean it is usually straightforward to trace your ancestor’s ‘paper trail’ back to the 1830s. Going further back however requires parish records, which are both more complex to search with no guarantee of the correct individual being found.
Q: What happens if you can’t find information on my family?
A: It is unusual not to be able to find any information about a client’s family. There may be instances where it is difficult to progress the research further back, but this will of course be communicated to you, with the research methodology fully explained in the research report.
Q: Will I get a printed copy of the report?
A: If you commission our One or Two Grandparent research package, you will receive a bespoke printed copy of your report. If you opt for to commission a specific enquiry, you will receive an electronic report detailing the research findings.
Q: How do I get started?
A: First step is to get in touch by emailing me at info@elizabethdoyle.co.uk or using the contact form above. Once you’ve told me your research goals, as part of the free (no obligation) initial consultation I can tell you what is likely to be found. From there we can start your genealogical journey!