A qualified professional family historian of many years experience, I provide a friendly and reliable research service to clients in the UK and overseas.
I live close to London’s main archives and specialise in London research. Family history in London poses unique challenges, and it can be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with London’s history and geography. As a Londoner with long experience of researching in the capital, I may be able to help.
Perhaps you’re seeking to extend your family tree, or to research individual ancestors in depth? Do you need to see records that you can’t access online? Are you feeling stuck with your research, or in need of general advice? Kerrywood Research can help with all these issues.
Although I have experience in many different areas of family history research, I have a special interest in Workhouse and Poor Law records. I also have specialist skills in Palaeography (the study of old handwriting), and I’m happy to transcribe and interpret early documents, including those involving Latin.
I regularly visit all London’s main record repositories, as well as the Local Studies Libraries for individual London boroughs; no travel costs are charged within Greater London. Other record offices and archives in the south-east can be visited by arrangement.
Every piece of research is unique, so I don’t offer fixed-price packages. All projects are individually costed, payments are by instalments, and a budget is agreed in advance with clients who are always in full control of the expenditure. Please see the website for more details.
I’m a graduate (MA) of the University of Cambridge, and a Full Member of AGRA (Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives).AGRA is the only professional body for genealogists in England that assesses its members on their competencies and professional conduct. It has a rigorous Code of Practice, which I’m pleased to adhere to.
I enjoy my work enormously, pursuing other people’s elusive ancestors with commitment and enthusiasm. Most of all, I relish the challenge of finding and identifying all the missing pieces that are needed to complete the jigsaw puzzles of our ancestry. If you would like help with your London ancestors, please contact me. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Judy Lester, Kerrywood Research
Family History in London