At long last! 'EASTRINGTON, AN EAST RIDING VILLAGE' by Susan Butler will be available from the 3rd December 2009.

LAUNCH, BOOK SIGNING, OLD PHOTO EXHIBITION AND REFRESHMENTS all day from 11am on Thursday 3rd December at Eastringon Chapel Schoolroom. Exhibition & book signing continues 4th/5th December.

Containing 360 pages packed with family stories and over a hundred old photographs of the local area, the book tells the story of the village of Eastrington from Saxon times to present day...click here for more details and to view the cover text, index and contents pages.

Please contact me if you would like to know more and/or order a copy.

Do you have Yorkshire ancestors?

I offer a reliable and thorough professional genealogy research service - ranging from assistance with a particular 'brick wall' to tracing your entire family tree. I can also research the history of your house and supply old photographs of the villages in which your ancestors lived.

Simply contact me to discuss your research requirements. Consultations are free.

About me

Since I set up this website I have had many queries from people with ancestors in the Howdenshire and Goole areas who have asked for help tracing their family trees. Where I already have the information I will give it freely, but I also offer a professional research service tracing the genealogy of those whose forebears came from Yorkshire.

I have an honours degree in medieval and modern history, a teaching certificate, have published several books on local history and written many newpaper articles about the Goole and Howden areas. I presently lecture on local history to adult students and also run courses on how to research family history.

Research details

Any of the following categories can be undertaken separately or as part of a combined project.

Family tree research

I can research one individual, one surname, a whole family tree or any other combination of ancestors! Or maybe you are undertaking your own research but need some assistance with a particular 'brick wall' or would like someone to undertake research at an archive in Yorkshire? Whatever your requirement, I'll be happy to quote for research tailored to your personal needs.

Photographs

I can obtain photographs to your specifications - perhaps of your ancestor's gravestone, village church, the house or street where they lived, or the school they attended? Or perhaps you would like a 'past and present' series of photographs of the area where your ancestors lived? If you are looking for a particular old picture of the Yorkshire area, do have a look at the old photographs section of this site as I have an extensive collection of individual old photographs which are available for a small fee.

House research

Find out more about the history of your house or the house your ancestor lived in. Who else lived there? When was it built? How did it change over the years? I can also provide a historical background of the town or village your ancestor lived in.

Presentation details

You can specify exactly how you would like your research report to be presented: perhaps as an attractively bound booklet including family photographs, or as single printed pages of your family details. Or you may like to receive your report electronically or on CD.

I can provide birth, marriage and death certificates (which are often necessary for research anyway) and can also produce an attractive, high quality printed family tree for you if desired.

Sources

I have an extensive collection of local history material which I have amassed over the years from visits to local archives as well as books, pamphlets, old photographs, wills, newspaper cuttings, monumental inscription booklets and CDs.

I also have access to all censuses, local and national newspapers, trade directories and parish records and am ideally placed to visit the archives in both Beverley and York. Over the past 30 years I have built up a wide knowledge of what information is available for the Yorkshire area and how best to use it.

Prices

I charge £15 per hour for research and ask for a minimum of 2 hours' work. Simply contact me to discuss your personal research requirements. We can then agree a 'plan of attack' and an initial outlay.

As every family history is unique, it is impossible to say exactly how many hours of research your project will require. However, I will keep in touch with you on a frequent and regular basis, so that the costs and details of the project are always in your control.

Recent research projects

I have recently undertaken research on Thomas and John Jackson of Goole, who arrived in the town from Belton around 1820; the Empsons of Goole Hall; the Jeive or Geive family, who lived in 18th century Howden; the Thrussell/Throstle family of New Village and Yokefleet; the Vokes family of Seaton Ross and Holme on Spalding Moor; the Batty family of Newport, Brind and Wressle; and the Proctors of Eastrington and Asselby. I have also researched the Hains family of Eastrington and the Bells of Gilberdyke mill.

Other projects have included the local brickworks at Sandholme, Eastrington and Newport, a Howden railway accident of 1840 in which five passengers died, and local windmills and milling families.

Although my 'specialist' area is Yorkshire I have also researched families from County Durham, Dorset and Birmingham recently. So wherever your family is from just ask me for a consultation and I will tell you whether I can help.