military research

Our Military History option researches all aspects of an individuals time spent in the forces. Working within the current privacy laws for living persons, we are able to research some aspects of WWII, although please be aware that there are still restrictions on some operations. Most WWI information is available to research and it is also possible to research individuals involment in earlier campaigns. Under current restrictions, the M.O.D. will not re-issue medals however, sometimes these can still be replaced at cost or potentially traced through private sources.

You may wish to research regiment history and, or a particular campaign or operation. If this is required, then we will construct all aspects of this for you. We can also work with the War Graves Commission in tracing lost ones and their final resting place and this may lead to photographs of the location, or of any headstone or memorial that may be in place. 

document research

Document Research focuses on either a historic document that you may have in your possession or one of particular interest to you. We can help you understand the content and context of the past timeline when the document may have been issued and if any significance should be placed on such documents. In some cases we may be able to advise on the preservation of said documents as well. 

We can also help decipher and transpose older style documents.

(please be aware we are not a legal service and do not deal in current documentation)

heirloom research

You may wish to research an item that has been collecting dust on the shelf or tucked away in a box somewhere, never to be thought about. Have you ever wondered on its path to your ownership or history. It could even be a recent acquisition that you need help with. Perhaps, an old picture that has just always been hanging in the family home has a story behind it.. We can help unravell some of the history associated to these objects and sometimes this helps in understanding the stories behind your family history. 

If this is required, then we will construct all aspects of this for you.

house history

In our House History research, we can trace the history of your property through census information, land registry and local maps. Detailing the previous occupance and how the house was utilised. Using our research we can construct a timeline from its past to present day. You may wish to look at the local geography that is in your area through local maps or landscape. In some cases, we can help you interpret your building, its architecture and construction.

It is essential to recognise issues with graded buildings and the restrictions that this can dictate to your property, but please take into consideration that we are not surveyors and that we only deal in the history surrounding your building, locality and landscape.

archive research

We can also offer Archive Research or a lookup service. We would perform this at our local archive facility in Norwich or the online with the National Archives service however, should this involve a site visit to other archives, then travel and overnight expenses maybe incurred.

There may be costs incurred if a digital download of any documentation is requested from any archive services. Any extra costing for this service would be agreed before orders are submitted.

find a grave

Our Find a Grave service encompasses military graves as well as domestic situations. If you wish to locate a fallen hero, we can endeavour to find details of their resting place for you. Depending on location and potential travel involved, it may also be possible to provide photographs of any memorial or headstone. In the case of war graves these are usually obtainable through the War Graves Commision. Where a domestic situation is involved, we are happy to visit and photograph on your behalf and we do provide this as a separate service within our local vicinity, so please email to discuss any special instructions regarding this service.

metal detecting

You may wish to dig over your garden or perhaps you have a suspicion or evidence of specific interest. We can also survey or investigate an old field which you either have ownership of, or permissions for, then maybe our metal detecting service could be for you. 

We can provide a metal detecting service for historical research purposes only and are not a "seek and find service" 

We always follow all the recognised guidelines and best practices of the National Council of Metal Detectors.

specific research

If you have a research requirement and are not sure where it fits in, our Specific Research is for you. We understand how difficult it is to pigeon-hole any requirement or enquiry you may have. Here at familia genus, we love history and therefore will always try to provide a service that fits your needs. Even it is just for a bit of advice or to share information.

We can also provide talks and presentations on local subjects or general genealogy for local clubs or events, just contact us to discuss your requirements.

brick wall

If you are currently in the middle of your own research exercise and are not sure how it all fits in or maybe some details are not quite right. You may even be making steady progress with your investigations and have hit the dreaded brick wall or struggling with that last piece of a family jigsaw, Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes on the subject is all that is required to help set you on your way again. We do understand that finishing your own jigsaw is far more rewarding and therefore we are just happy to offer advice if required.