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FAMILY HISTORY
~ RESEARCH SERVICE ~
Geoffrey T. Roberts
Professional Genealogist & Record Searcher
[Established 1973]
4 Beryl Grove, Bristol BS14 9EB, England
E-mail: Geoffrey@southwestgenealogy.co.uk
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| I am a professional genealogist with over 35 years of
experience. I offer a comprehensive research service in the English
counties of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire,
covering the 16th century to the present day. I have immediate access to
all local sources of family history information, with contacts in other
parts of the UK if required. |
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Family
History | Family Trees | Documents
| Photographs | Problems?
| Ordering & Fees
Tracing Family History
Tracing Family History requires a definite time and place from which to begin
the search, which often will be provided by a document such as your parents'
or grandparents' marriage certificate. Discoveries can then be made which may
extend your knowledge of the family by as many as seven generations. The
systematic keeping of parish registers began in 1538 in England, and many
parishes have records reaching back to that date.
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Constructing Family Trees
Family Tree charts can be constructed from information supplied by the
enquirer, or from discoveries made in the course of research, or from both
sources. The charts are usually in 'drop-line' format, and up to seven
generations of a family can be included on an A4 sheet, in either portrait or
landscape orientation.
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Searching for & copying significant documents
Most documents containing family history details can be photocopied, and provide
a fascinating portfolio which can be added to and built up as the search
progresses.
Documents found for you might include:
- Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates (1837-present)
- Census returns (1841-1911)
- Parish
Registers
- Wills
- Manorial Court records (land tenure or
ownership)
- Apprenticeship Indentures
- Taxation Records (including Window Tax &
Hearth Tax)
- Criminal Records
- Poor Law Papers (including Settlement
Examinations & Certificates, Removal Orders, and Bastardy
Bonds)
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Photographic documentation
Where available I can obtain photographs of Bristol churches and chapels
where your ancestors may have worshipped, and I have access to similar
photographic collections in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
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Researching specific genealogical problems
Sometimes my expertise is needed to solve specific problems, and with my
extensive knowledge of the available sources of information, I can often
supply the answer to those difficult family history questions which defeat
the inexperienced researcher.
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Ordering & Fees
It is important to send full details of your requirements, together with
copies of supporting documents where relevant, either by email or
post (see address at top of this page). My
research fees are currently 11 UK pounds per hour plus travel cost to
Record Offices outside Bristol, plus the cost of certificates and
photocopies. Payment in non-UK currencies is accepted, a small charge being
made to cover the Bank's conversion fee. International Money Orders are welcomed.
An estimate can be provided on request.
I look forward to being of service
to you.
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Geoffrey T. Roberts |
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