More than names and dates. Discover the lives behind your family tree.

A family tree can tell you who your ancestors were.

It can tell you their names, dates of birth, marriages and deaths, and perhaps where they lived.

But behind every name was a real person with a life, a family, a home, a job and a place in their community.

Ictis Heritage Research goes beyond simply building a family tree. Through genealogical research and historical investigation, we seek to uncover the stories and experiences behind your ancestors.

The result is not simply a collection of names and dates, but a richer genealogical history that places your family within the world in which they lived.

What Can We Help With?

Family Tree Research

Whether you’re starting from scratch or have already built part of your family tree, Ictis can help research your family history and extend your ancestry.

This can include:

Tracing individual family lines
Identifying ancestors
Connecting generations
Verifying relationships
Investigating uncertain or disputed information
Researching particular surnames
Extending existing family trees
Checking and improving existing research
Investigating specific branches of a family

Research can focus on a single line or expand into a wider family tree.

Individual Ancestor Research

Sometimes you don’t want an entire family tree.

Perhaps there is one particular ancestor you’ve always wanted to know more about.

Ictis can undertake focused research into an individual, investigating their life through available genealogical and historical sources.

Research might uncover:

Birth and baptism
Marriage and family
Children
Occupations
Residences
Military service
Migration and travel
Education
Religion and community
Property and land
Newspapers and local events
Death and burial
Other significant events in their life

The aim is to build a picture of the person, rather than simply recording their vital statistics.

From Family Tree to Family Story

This is where Ictis goes beyond traditional genealogy.

A genealogical record might tell us that an ancestor was born in 1842, married in 1865 and died in 1911.

But what did their life actually look like?

Where did they live?

What work did they do?

What was happening in their community?

What would their home have been like?

What challenges might they have faced?

What major events shaped their lifetime?

What can the historical evidence tell us about the world they inhabited?

Ictis can combine genealogical evidence with wider historical research to place your ancestors within their social, economic and historical context.

This might include research into:

The history of the places where they lived
Their occupations and working lives
Local industries
Housing and living conditions
Social and economic circumstances
Education
Religion and community life
Military and political events
Migration
Major historical events
Local newspapers
Contemporary accounts
Historical photographs and maps

The result is a genealogical history: a family history that tells the story of your ancestors as people.

What Might a Genealogical History Look Like?

Imagine discovering that your great-great-grandfather was recorded in the census as a labourer living in a small Somerset village.

A traditional family tree might simply record:

John Smith
Born: 1847
Married: 1871
Occupation: Agricultural Labourer
Died: 1912

A genealogical history can go further.

Research might establish where John lived, identify his parents and children, trace his working life and examine the agricultural community in which he lived.

Historic maps might show the village and surrounding farms. Newspapers might reveal local events. Census records could demonstrate changes in the family’s circumstances. Contemporary sources might provide insight into agricultural labour, housing and rural life during John’s lifetime.

The final account can bring these pieces together to tell John’s story within the history of his community.

That is the difference between a family tree and a family history.

Family History Books

For clients who want something more substantial, research can be developed into a written family history.

A family history book can combine genealogical research, historical narrative, photographs, documents, maps and family memories to create a lasting record of your family’s past.

Projects can focus on:

A single ancestor
A particular family line
Several generations
A surname
A particular branch of a family
A family’s connection to a particular place
A complete family history

A finished book might include:

Family Tree & Genealogy

Clear genealogical information showing relationships and generations.

Biographical Histories

Narrative accounts of individual ancestors and their lives.

Historical Context

Research into the places, occupations, communities and events that shaped their lives.

Family Documents

Photographs, letters, certificates, wills and other family material can be incorporated where appropriate.

Maps & Illustrations

Historic maps, photographs and other visual material can help place the family within its surroundings.

Chronologies & Timelines

Key family and historical events can be brought together to show how individual lives intersected with wider history.

The result is a bespoke family history designed to be read and preserved, rather than simply a database of genealogical information.

Genealogical Consultancy

Sometimes you don’t need someone to undertake the entire research project for you.

You might already have a substantial family tree but have reached a difficult ancestor, discovered conflicting information or simply want some guidance on where to look next.

Ictis can provide research guidance and consultancy, including:

Reviewing existing family trees
Helping develop research strategies
Identifying useful archives and sources
Advising on difficult ancestors
Helping interpret historical records
Assessing existing genealogical research
Discussing possible research avenues
Helping you plan your own family history project

This can be particularly useful for people who enjoy researching their own family history but need help overcoming a particular problem.

What Can Be Researched?

Depending on the period and evidence available, genealogical research may draw upon sources such as:

Census records
Civil registration
Parish registers
Electoral registers
Directories
Probate records
Wills
Newspapers
Military records
School records
Land and property records
Historic maps
Local archives
Family photographs and documents
Published local histories
Other historical and genealogical sources

The sources available will vary considerably depending on the individual, location and period being researched.

What Can You Receive?

Projects can be tailored from a focused piece of research to a substantial family history.

Possible deliverables include:

Genealogical research reports
Individual ancestor biographies
Family trees
Family line histories
Ancestral timelines
Research summaries
Source lists and citations
Historical context reports
Illustrated family histories
Digital family history books
Bespoke printed family histories
Maps and historical illustrations
Research into specific family questions

The final format and scope will always be agreed before research begins.

Your Family Has a Story.

Perhaps you want to discover where your family came from.

Perhaps there is one ancestor whose story has always fascinated you.

Or perhaps you want to create something lasting for future generations.

Whatever your starting point, Ictis can help move beyond the names and dates to uncover the people, places and experiences behind your family tree.

Get in touch to discuss your family history.