Bristol and Somerset Family History

A friendly England genealogy service for Somerset and Bristol origins

Short and long term projects undertaken - One generation or many
Or just tying up those loose ends in your family tree
Free consultation and advice - within reason!

Whether you're just starting out tracing your family history, or you're an experienced researcher with a problem that needs solving but can't get to the records yourself, then maybe I can help.

I have over 20 years' experience in Genealogical work, beginning with my own family history, then helping friends at home and overseas. Since January 1999 I have served over 240 clients from various parts of the world to further their family research. I am a professional scientist, and employ a careful and logical approach to my work - the only way with this kind of meticulous detective work.

I operate from a Somerset village near Bristol in the South West of England, with easy access to archives for both areas. If you have ancestors from this part of England I can probably help you to trace them. I work on ancestry projects in Somerset and Bristol, and am not normally prepared to work farther afield.

I aim to provide a friendly and interactive service, working with you through e-mail. Family research usually throws up plenty of surprises and contradictions which usually upset the best laid plans, so it's important that both parties keep in touch at every stage. Apart from being more fun for everyone, it actually produces better, quicker and more focussed results.

Some of the Records I use

Civil Registration of Birth, Marriage and Death.

Census Returns for Great Britain, every 10 years 1841 to 1901.

Parish Registers and Bishops Transcripts of Church baptisms, marriages and burials. Some date back to 1538, though 1600 is more usual.

Marriage Licences and Bonds recording intentions of marriage, usually of richer people.

Wills and Administrations of Goods, often with very important family information, and sometimes Inventories of property.

Parish Records like Minutes of the Vestry and the Overseers of the Poor, Churchwardens Accounts, Rate Books, Paupers' Settlement Certificates, Apprenticeship records, Vagrancy and Bastardy Certificates. From about 1750 to 1850 with information about the lives of some individuals.

Tax Records such as Subsidy Rolls, Muster Rolls, Protestation Oaths, Hearth Tax, Poll Tax, Tithe Maps and Apportionments, and Land Tax Assessments. These can give snapshots of (usually property-owning) people at various points in time from Mediaeval to the 19th Century.

Legal and Criminal Records such as Manor Court Rolls, Gaol Registers, Quarter Sessions, County Assizes, Transportation.