Research Resources

  Research is not confined to a single type of record. I work across a wide range of sources including parish registers, probate records, deeds, taxation records, ecclesiastical material, and civil and criminal court documents. Understanding how to locate, interpret, and connect these records is fundamental to producing reliable and well-evidenced research.

DNA testing can provide valuable supporting evidence for family history research. When used alongside documentary sources, it can help to confirm relationships, suggest new lines of enquiry, and assist in resolving long-standing research problems.

Research often involves consulting material held across multiple repositories, from local county archives to national collections. This may include parish collections, estate papers, diocesan records, and specialist holdings. Based in the South West, I regularly work in archives across the region and in London, selecting the most relevant repositories for each project.

Placing individuals within their social and geographical context is key to bringing their stories to life. Understanding the communities they lived in, the occupations they held, and the events that shaped their lives adds depth and meaning to the research.

As research moves further back in time, the ability to read and interpret historical handwriting becomes essential. This includes wills, parish registers, manorial records, and chancery documents, allowing earlier generations to be explored with confidence.

Heraldry can provide useful context when researching gentry and yeoman families alike. Published pedigrees, visitations, and armorial records can offer valuable insights, particularly when used alongside primary sources.