About me

I am a Professional Genealogist based in Berkshire, but able to research people across the UK and beyond. In many projects we discover ancestors recorded in unexpected places, widening the client's understanding of how their family has moved around. I also enjoy researching other areas where I have lived, including London, the South-East and South-West of England, and I covered Scottish records as part of my training. I often apply my skills in other areas, and have a specialism researching the lives of early owners of vintage cars and tracing their descendants to find memorabilia. I also love solving a good ‘brickwall’ puzzle, for people who are doing their own research.

After many years of researching my own family, I completed a 2 year Post Graduate Certificate course in Genealogy, Paleography and Heraldry with the University of Strathclyde. This course is virtually unique in the UK, being at Post Graduate level but taught entirely online. I am therefore well placed to carry out research using digitised records that you might not be aware of. This approach has since opened up other areas in which to apply my skills, such as the history of vintage car ownership.

“The information about former owners that Hilary has been able to uncover in the course of her research has been fascinating and added considerable depth and colour to the known history of the car in question, sometimes through photographs that have not been seen before. It has also established some wonderful connections with the families of former owners.”

Bart, London, 2025

Testimonials

“Having tried to use websites like Ancestry myself, it doesn’t really suit me. I have no idea how to record my findings etc and so it was wonderful to pass the problem to Hilary. It’s amazing what she was able to do online and I can’t believe that she found out so much so quickly. I’ve really enjoyed reading the first family history report and have lots of ideas of where I’d like her to look next.”

Katie, Sussex, 2021

“Hilary was recommended to me by a local Bentley owner shortly after I bought my 1926 example. The challenge I faced was a list of previous owners until early post war from the WO Bentley Memorial Foundation and no other history. By research that I could never have undertaken I have period photos from the families of multiple prior owners, have met the son of one of these owners and the grandson of another. I have been able to establish which modifications are pre war. While I am undertaking a comprehensive restoration she has bought my car to life. Fascinating stuff and I recommend her without hesitation."

Tim, Hampshire, 2025

“Hilary’s well planned and progressive approach to her research enabled her to uncover extensive and interesting facts about my family, going back over 200 years. Her final report to us really brought our family history to life and is a delight to read.”

Jim, Devon, 2020

“Thank you very much for investigating my father’s family history. It’s interesting to see how much can be gleaned from readily available sources if you know what one is doing and you clearly do! I’m glad I had you do this and I am sure anyone else asking you to do the same will not be disappointed.”

Martin, Oxfordshire, 2020

“I should not have known where to start, but Hilary has discovered all sorts of fascinating things about my forebears and has kept in touch with me during the whole process with further questions and updates. This is a brilliant way to expose those skeletons in the cupboard, to discover past family secrets and inevitably throw up a few surprises.”

Pat, Oxfordshire, 2019