What can you do?
I can trace your family history and also investigate the meaning of your surname, research or provide advice on all aspects of heraldry, including new grants of arms; research; house histories; local history; trace missing people and conduct in-depth studies for biographies.
I can write up your family history for publication, or help edit an already-written family history to professional standards.
Why research ancestry?
Tracing family trees is now one of Britain's most popular pastimes. In an increasingly dislocated world, it means a lot to be able to find out where our families came from, how we ended up where we are today and what life was like for our forebears.
Learning about family history also opens fascinating windows on local, social and national history, and reveals unexpected connections with people, places, countries, occupations, faiths and historical events. In addition, family history reports can make marvelous presents for birthdays, weddings and wedding anniversaries, Christmas or other special occasions.
Why hire a genealogist?
You may be enjoying researching your family tree, but are stuck. If so, you can hire me to try to overcome a particular problem.
You might want to know all about your family but lack the necessary time or knowledge of the sources, or the ability to travel. If so, you can hire me to plan, organise, implement and sort out the research for you.
Why hire you?
I have been a freelance professional genealogist since 2003. Before then I acquired 12 valuable years’ experience as a genealogist and latterly Head of Research for one of Britain’s largest and longest-established firms of genealogists.
During my career I have overseen research all over Great Britain and Eire, and in countries as far afield as America, Australia, Sierra Leone and India. I have experienced research amongst records ranging from birth certificates to Medieval tax lists; Tudor heralds’ pedigrees to workhouse records and ancient gravestones to DNA testing.
My work bringing family history to TV and radio has also given me a very broad view of genealogy worldwide, from Lithuanian Jews to Jamaican slaves and in the course of filming I have been able to visit and undertake research in places as far apart as Albert Square (in Elstree Studios) to Spanish Town in Jamaica.
I have established a formidable network of research contacts all over Britain and abroad, so I can organise research where ever it will be most effective.
I know how best to use the resources available on the Internet, and understand the many pitfalls that beset genealogy on the web: there are still many cases where it is best to switch off the computer and open an original register. Indeed, in my reports, nothing is presented as fact unless it has been professionally checked in an original source.
Besides being able to organise and implement research, my work in TV and also writing articles and books has taught me how to communicate the results in a clear, logical and - I hope - interesting way.
Indeed, writing up and explaining the results of research is one of the most rewarding parts of my work - apart of course from making incredible discoveries and cracking long-standing mysteries.
As a freelance professional I have none of the substantial overheads that the large research firms incorporate into their charges. This freedom enables me to devote much more of your money to original research.
How do we start?
Please send me whatever information you know about the line or lines, or the particular problem, that you would like me to research. Please write down whatever names, dates, places and occupations you know, and details of any family stories or traditions.
If you have the chance to ask any elderly relatives what they can remember, I would recommend doing so, as they can be goldmines of information. And if you are such an "elderly goldmine" yourself, don’t forget that younger cousins might have inherited old family papers or bibles.
It does not matter how much or how little you can tell me - your date of birth would be enough. If you already have a large family tree but want to work back from the earliest ancestor, it will only really be necessary for me to know about the earliest couple of generations. You can send the details by e-mail or post them to me. It is useful - and interesting - if you can send copies of any relevant documents - please do not send original documents in the post.
Having assessed your information I will send you a quote. This might be a specific quote for addressing a particular problem. However, if you simply want me to start researching your family tree and see how far back it will go, we can agree on a budget (which could range from £50 to £500 as appropriate) which you could pay in one go or by a series of monthly installments.
How do I pay?
Payment can be made by sending a cheque or postal order, or a banker’s draft if paying from abroad to Anthony Adolph at my research base, 123 Victor Road, London, SE20 7JT. Alternatively, if you would like to spread payments over a series of months, you can do so by sending a series of post-dated cheques, or set up a standing order. You can do the latter easily by contacting your bank and giving them my bank details: Anthony Adolph Business A/C, account no. 03904215, sort code 30-91-60, Lloyds TSB, Canterbury (309160) Branch, 49 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2SE (BIC: LOYDGB21060; IBAN: GB62 LOYD 3091 6003 9042 15). These details also apply if you want to pay by a single bank transfer. A further method of payment, which is especially useful if paying from abroad, is by credit card via www.paypal.com, quoting my e-mail address mail@anthonyadolph.co.uk.
It is a legal requirement for me to state that, unless agreed otherwise by both parties, you will not be able to cancel the contracted research once the performance of the service has begun.
What will I get?
I will report back to you by letter or e-mail as you prefer, telling you exactly what research has been undertaken, what the results were, and what they mean, enclosing copies of any documents obtained in the process. The clearest and most efficient of reporting back is to do so in one go, on completion of the project.
I will also send you an outline family tree: at the end of research, you can commission a full printed pedigree showing all known members of the family, living and dead, as far back as we have traced.
This can be illustrated with coats of arms if any have been found, or other appropriate decoration.
It is essential to point out that positive results cannot be guaranteed. No researcher can promise to be able to find an ancestor or a document unless they have already got the results sitting in front of them. There are many reasons why births were not registered, people changed their names or gave false or misleading information about their origins.
When such problems arise, they can take a long time and a reasonable amount of money to solve. However, the detective work of cracking difficult cases is one of the most fascinating aspects of this work.
Equally, there are cases when records have been lost, decayed, burned or eaten by rats or (in warmer countries) termites. Genealogical expertise is required to know how to locate and use alternative record sources which have survived. So, although positive results cannot be guaranteed, I can promise a full commitment to achieving the best possible results I can.
How long does it take?
One-off searches can sometimes be handled in a matter of weeks. Research projects take longer - some last a couple of months and some, especially if substantial problems arise, or we are dealing with research outside the British Isles, can take six months or even longer.
If you want research for a specific date, such as a birthday or Christmas, I will do all I can to meet your deadline, or otherwise will provide a progress report for the date, with the rest sent as soon as possible afterwards.
Any other questions...
Please do feel free to contact me by post, e-mail or telephone and ask absolutely any questions you want. As I sometimes travel to undertake research personally, or for filming or giving talks, it is easiest to ring me on my mobile, 07890 068218 - if you like, I can then take your number and ring you back on a landline.
And if you have no further questions, send me your details and, once we have agreed on a budget, I can start tracing your family tree for you!
These are some of the testimonials I have received from satisfied clients
‘I have received your packet containing my family history information and your final report. I wish to tell you that I am very happy with the service you have provided. You are professional, thorough, and provide a very pleasing written analysis of your findings. Your communications are timely and informative. I must confess that I was initially very apprehensive about conducting business in this manner, via email over the internet. However, having completed this phase of my research, I would strongly recommend you to anyone who was interested in retaining your services’.
G.W., Pennsylvania
‘My sister came up from N. at the weekend and we managed to persuade J. to let us have your report before Christmas as we just couldn’t wait! Very many thanks for all the fascinating facts you discovered, we now know who we are - if you know what I mean. I shall definitely contact you in the New Year regarding following up further details on both my family and J.’s mother’.
C.W., Leicestershire.
"I grew up knowing a bit about my recent... heritage, but now I know about the ancient links and it’s something I hold dear" - Hugh Grant, film star (see www.sundaymail.co.uk)
‘Thank you for your letter of 16 September with the wealth of information included and attached. I shall need a little time to digest it all and I shall get into touch with you again when I am ready to proceed further. Meanwhile I am much indebted to your care and skill’
J.S., New South Wales.
‘I need to THANK YOU for the time you spent in find my family for us. We indeed had a happy reunion over the internet. We are both in a state of shock right now trying to digest this happy event. I thought we would NEVER find him. As it is now, we are happily reunited and in touch. When I emailed him, he emailed me immediately right back. It was unreal’.
C.B., Utah.
‘For many years I have searched in vain to unravel this mystery, but sadly to no avail. Having seen the great work you did on the Antiques Ghost Show, I feel that if anyone can help me its hopefully yourself’.
S.P., Hendon, Middlesex.
'Cheers for replying so soon. I am so pleased that you have results for me. I am 60 in the middle of February - what a lovely present to myself. Thanks again.I didn't think you would get any results at all'.
A.G., Sussex.
'Thank you so very very much. You have accomplished more than we ever expected. The champagne corks will be popping here in Canada tonight'
K.S., Ontario.
COUSINSHIP
Confused about the terms 'first cousin twice removed' and fourth cousin seven times removed? Don't be. See here for a clear explanation: Cousinship
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