Frequently Asked Questions

How far back can you go?
Using 19th and 20th century sources, it is possible to trace most families back to the early 1800s.  There are obviously exceptions to this rule, for example immigrant ancestors and some travelling families that avoided the census takers and other authorities.  Census records exist from 1841 onwards, and civil registration of births, deaths and marriages began in 1837, although some chose to ignore it in the early days, thinking that it was optional!  Before civil registration there are parish records, and some of these exist as far back as the mid 1500s.  It is often better to research back to the early 1800s as a first step, and then assess the feasibility of using parish records and other sources to trace further back.  Parish registers are normally held at local County Record Offices, and we cover Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, and can go further afield if required.

What will I find out?
Whichever service you choose to take, we aim to uncover when and where your ancestors were born, who they married, what they did for a living, where they lived and who their families were.  Ultimately, the information discovered is up to you - what question do you want answering about your past?  If you have ever watched the BBC television programme Who Do You Think You Are?, you will know that the programme often starts with the celebrity describing some facet of their background that they would like to know more about.  Ask yourself that question and let that be the starting point of your journey of discovery.

What if you don't find anything?
We always carry out some preliminary work to ensure that records do exist for the initial research.  As we provide regular status updates on progress, you are able to suspend research at any point if you feel it is not going in the direction you intended.  You only ever pay for work done.

What do I get from the research?
Depending on the type of research commissioned, you will get a report into your ancestors' background, any Birth, Marriage or Death certificates obtained during the course of the research, copies of any census returns or other source material obtained, and family tree diagrams showing various ancestor and descendant views.  All of these are supplied in PDF format on CD, so that you can print them or share them with family as you need.  Any original documentation obtained during research will also be scanned, included on the CD, and also posted to you.  We also offer large family tree prints or wall charts, printed on artificial canvas, which make an excellent addition to your family history portfolio (see the Gallery for some examples).

How long will this take?
That really does depend on the depth of detail you wish to go to, but the average research project takes around 6 to 8 weeks to complete.  We will keep you regularly informed about progress during this time. 

What sources do you use?
The short answer is whatever resources are needed to conduct the research!  However the majority of research projects will use General Registration certificates for Births, Deaths and Marriages; census returns from 1841 onwards; online parish record sources; and other online archives such as The National Archives DocumentsOnline.  We also extend research to include Parish Records, records of Non-Conformists, wills and probate records, historical trade directories, military records, newspaper archives, the list goes on.