What I offer

Research
Services

I research family-history questions through records, archives and, where it adds useful evidence, DNA. The services below cover the kinds of projects I take on most often; enquiries that fall between categories are welcome too.

Researching a Cumbrian family? Brittany has extensive experience working with Cumbria Archives and records from historic Cumberland and Westmorland.
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01

Adoption & Unknown Parentage

Parentage and adoption research can involve living relatives, sensitive discoveries and incomplete records. I approach these cases privately and build the family connection from the available DNA and documentary evidence.

The work may involve clustering DNA matches, reconstructing the families of matches and checking ages, places and records until the possible relationships can be narrowed down.

I build carefully structured cases using:

  • DNA clustering techniques
  • Family tree reconstruction of matches
  • Timeline and geographic comparison
  • Civil registration and corroborating documentation
  • Indirect evidence and elimination methodology
Read the Full Unknown Parentage GuideEnquire About This Service
02

Genetic Genealogy

DNA can help with many questions besides recent adoption, especially where the paper trail becomes uncertain several generations back.

I analyse shared matches and family networks, then compare the genetic picture with documented trees. That combination can confirm a branch, challenge an assumed relationship or point towards a family that the records alone did not identify.

DNA analysis can help to:

  • Break through brick walls
  • Confirm or challenge existing research
  • Identify shared ancestors
  • Reconstruct extended family networks
  • Support documentary findings with genetic evidence
Read the Full DNA Research GuideEnquire About This Service
03

Document-Based Research

Most projects begin with documentary research. I locate the records most relevant to the question and compare them across time, place and family relationships.

Depending on the case, that may mean civil certificates, parish registers, wills, newspapers, military records, migration sources or local archive collections. Findings are returned with source references so you can see where each piece of information came from.

Records I work with include:

  • Civil registrations (birth, marriage, death)
  • Parish and church records
  • Probate records and wills
  • Census and electoral rolls
  • Military, land, and court records
  • Newspaper archives
  • Immigration and passenger lists
  • Local archival collections
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04

Brick Wall & Complex Cases

For a stubborn family-history problem, I begin by checking the evidence already collected and identifying where the uncertainty actually starts.

The next useful record may belong to a sibling, neighbour, witness or entirely different surname. I use timelines, family networks, migration patterns and alternative record sets to test the possibilities one by one.

My approach includes:

  • Reconstructing entire family networks to identify one individual
  • Analysing migration patterns
  • Identifying naming traditions and kinship structures
  • Evaluating conflicting or incomplete records
  • Developing and testing multiple research hypotheses
Read the Full Brick Wall GuideEnquire About This Service
05

US, Transatlantic & International Research

For American clients and families whose records cross national borders, I connect evidence from the United States with records in Britain, Canada, Europe and other relevant regions.

A family crossing borders may change its spelling, reported birthplace or even the records in which it can be found. I follow the family through the relevant jurisdictions and use DNA when it can help connect branches on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Other regions can be assessed case by case according to language, access and record survival.

Starting with an Irish ancestor? The IrishGenealogy.ie research guide explains the free civil and parish collections, practical search methods and the clues to gather before making an enquiry.

Research may include:

  • US federal and state census records
  • Vital, church, cemetery and newspaper sources
  • Immigration, passenger and naturalisation records
  • Canadian and cross-border family research
  • British and European civil, parish and archive records
  • DNA evidence connecting overseas branches
Read the US & Transatlantic Research GuideEnquire About This Service
06

Historical Context & Narrative Reporting

Some projects benefit from more than a pedigree. A report can also explain the places, occupations and events that shaped the family being researched.

I use relevant local and social history to explain what the records mean in context, without losing sight of the evidence specific to your ancestors.

Reports may include:

  • Social and economic background
  • Occupational research
  • Geographic and community context
  • Historical events influencing family movement
  • Clearly written research summaries with full citations
Enquire About This Service
07

Family Tree Building

I can build a new family tree from a known person or review an existing tree that has grown difficult to verify.

Each relationship is checked against records, with sources added and uncertain connections marked rather than carried forward as fact.

If you are researching for yourself and are not sure where to begin, start with my beginner's guide to starting a family tree.

I assist with:

  • Building family trees using reliable, verifiable records
  • Reviewing existing trees for errors, inconsistencies, or unsupported connections
  • Organising and restructuring complex or disordered research
  • Adding clear source citations and documentation
  • Identifying gaps and recommending next steps for further research
Read the Beginner GuideRead the Full Family Tree GuideEnquire About This Service
08

Lineage Verification

Lineage verification is a focused check of an existing line of descent. I work through it generation by generation, locating the records that support each parent-child relationship and identifying any weak or conflicting links.

The finished work shows which links are well supported, where the evidence is incomplete and what would be needed to resolve any remaining gap.

For an example, see the John Peel family-connection case study, where a long-standing family story was tested by building both sides of the relationship independently and proving the collateral link through records.

I verify lineage using:

  • Civil registration records and parish registers
  • Census and household records
  • Probate, land, and legal documents
  • Correlation of multiple independent sources
  • Resolution of conflicting evidence
  • Clear documentation and source citation
Enquire About This Service

How I work

How I approach a research question

I start with the question you want answered and the evidence already available. From there I choose the record sets, people and places most likely to move the case forward, keeping notes of what I search and why.

Some projects end with a firm identification; others narrow the possibilities or show where the records run out. I explain those limits plainly, and sensitive findings are handled privately.

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Evidence-first

Conclusions are tied to identifiable records and sources.

Fully documented

Source citations are included with the findings.

Honest & transparent

Uncertainty and record gaps are stated in the report.

Handled with care

Sensitive findings are discussed privately and in context.

Research fees

Pricing and research stages

Most research is charged by the hour, so you only commission the time your question needs. For open-ended projects, I normally recommend starting with five hours and reviewing the findings before you decide whether to continue.

Main research rate

Hourly Research

£35per hour

For family-tree research, brick walls, DNA cases, unknown parentage, archive research and other questions where the work may develop as new evidence is found.

Typical first stage: 5 hours · £175
Discuss your project

Quick Search

£65fixed fee

For a contained task such as locating one record, checking a named source or answering one tightly defined question.

Up to 2 hours of focused research
Request a Quick Search

How most projects begin

Start with five hours. Review before spending more.

Five hours (£175) is usually enough for me to assess the available evidence, follow the strongest leads and get a realistic sense of what remains. At the end of that time, I will explain what I found, what I would investigate next and whether more research is likely to be worthwhile. You can stop there or agree another stage — there is no automatic extension.

01
First 5 hours

I work to the research question and prioritise the strongest available sources.

02
Review the findings

You receive an update on what has been established, what remains uncertain and the best next steps.

03
You decide

If there is more worth pursuing, we agree the next amount of research time before any further work begins.

How much time might I need?

How project size affects the time needed

The examples below are a guide to scope. Record survival, geography, DNA evidence and the amount of earlier research can all change how much work a question requires.

One specific record or question Quick Search · up to 2 hours

Best when you can clearly describe the exact record, person, event or single question you want checked.

A focused research objective Start with 5 hours · £175

Often suitable for one family line, one relationship to prove, a targeted brick wall or a defined piece of family-tree research.

A complex or open-ended mystery Start with 5 hours, then review

DNA and unknown-parentage work, longstanding brick walls, multiple generations or research across several places may need further stages. I will only recommend more time once the first stage shows what is actually left to explore.

All prices are in GBP. The research question, scope and agreed time will be confirmed before work begins. No additional research time is added without your agreement.

What would you like to find out?

Send me the question, the people and places involved, and anything you have already found. I can suggest an appropriate first stage.

Make an Enquiry