[ Read the story of our own personal Journey ]

 

I have been researching my own family history for the last 27 years. I have managed to go back to the Middle Ages on one particular line and have uncovered scandals, tradgedies, hero's and heroines, actors, soldiers, vagabonds, royalty, knights and farmers. I experienced all manner of exciting surprises on my journey. I  now know where I get some of my own quirky traits and passions from and I feel like Iike I know myself and my ancestors a lot better.

 

 I began my research in 1987 after my 1st child was born. Becoming a mother, and watching my grandparents get older, meant discovering and preserving my family history became more important. I spent time talking to my grandparents and going through old family photo's. I taped conversations and wrote down facts, and stories. I began to put together a folder of information.

 

Searching records online was  not an option. I relied on those handed down stories, old letters, personal papers, old photographs and other information supplied by relatives. I had to visit public records offices and local libraries or contact  history groups in order to look up information. I visited my Grandmothers old primaryschool and took pictures along to show the children and staff. 

 

When the internet opened up new methods of research, I was able to connect with other people around the world and access a whle host of new information which is now available through various genealogy websites. I began to piece together my family history and all the inormation I had gathered in my 30's began to fit together. Eventually I managed to trace both my maternal and paternal line extenslively and became the officla family historian. I did al this in order to leave a long lasting document for my children to pass on to my grandchildren & great grandchildren.

 

Through the creation of my own family website and  future generations of my family will now be able to learn about  their ancestors, and the historical  period in history in which they lived. For me the most interesting thing about family history is the fascinating facts that you uncover about the lives of ordinary people. I always try to include this information in my research for others, where I can find it. This might include details about long-vanished professions or newspaper articles about the street where someone lived. Knowing this kind of information about your own family tree will help to give you a real sense of connection to your ancestors.

 

I told a few friends about my hobby and they too became interested in finding more about their own family history. After doing some very interesting research on their behalf, I decided to turn my lifelong hobby into a small business and this website is the result.

 

My Step-father had also successfully traced missing people and  found long lost relatives for private clients in the 1980's. He was once hired by veteran british comedian Arthur Mullard , in order to help trace the actors family tree and was even afforded a mention in the actors autobiography.

 

My step-father was an "Old School" researcher- hunting down the information in person at the records office or calling people on the telephone. .My skills developed further once I discovered the internet. I enjoy doing online research & am a member of many genealogy websites and forums I also enjoy building my own websites and handling the marketing side of the busness and engaging with people on social media.