" Helping you to know who they were. "

Genealogy is the study or investigation of a person's ancestry and family history which examines the record of descent of the person from an ancestor. With the information a simple Family Tree can be produced and with more detail and research a history of the family can be found from available records.

Genealogy is an 'Art' and not a science and other terms or words which can be used for a similar understanding are kin group, kindred, kinship group, clan, kin and tribe where there is a blood or marriage relationship.

For thousands of years a blood line, ancestry, origin or pedigree etc. of a specific group or person would have been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. An example of this would be your own family 'Story' passed to you from your parents.

With the 'written' word the line of descent or a family tree would be produced for Pharaohs and Kings to prove their lineage or parentage and their entitlement to rule. A simple example of this would perhaps be the information provided in a family bible.

Before beginning a genealogy search on your family it is best to gather as much information together as possible. Talk to your living relatives and get as much detail as you can, including dates and where any event took place.

Photographs, letters, datebooks, bibles and diaries can also be a rich source of information which will help with you with your family history research. Read More.

Once you have your information and family stories, start to verify the details from a reliable and official source. Best place to start is with yourself getting all your own records together and then work backwards to get as many civil, church and census records as possible for all family members in your direct line.

As you get the records you may well find more information to help you further with your research. The Art of Genealogy is that it is not just for you but also a wonderful gift for all your future descendents. 

When you have gathered as much information and detail as possible but you are now ‘stuck’ this is where I can step in to help.  For a fee, which I agree with you before hand, I can research in places and use resources that are more readily available to me.  

I am passionate about Genealogy and Clients use my services because of my passion and my 20 years experience both in Ireland and the United Kingdom. I admit to being a little like a terrier with a bone until I can find the information I am looking for. My ability to think 'outside the box' does help in finding a solution to a research problem.

If you have a question or you would like help with your family history please ask me. It does not matter how much or how little you may know, I love a challenge and I would love to help you further. Contact me now.

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Gillian Weir Scully

Diploma in Family History - Awarded Distinction

Member of Association of Professional Genealogists

Researcher listed with
National Archives Ireland &
National Library Ireland