Hello. I’m Lorraine Whale, a professional family history researcher based on the South Coast of England.
I have always had a fascination for the past and, like many genealogists, my first steps into family history research started over 20 years ago with my own ancestors. I became so hooked on family history research that I changed career path, studied to become a genealogist and set up Time Flies Ancestry.
My work is an absolute pleasure as every day is different. Finding elusive ancestors combines a unique set of skills; a knowledge of genealogy sources, historical facts, local and social history with the tenacity of a detective.
I take research beyond the internet to find mention of your ancestors in Archives, Museums and History Centres across the country. I travel widely and cover many southern counties including Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey. I am also a regular visitor to London archives, including The National Archives at Kew and The London Metropolitan Archives. I go where your ancestors take me, and in my experience they rarely stay in one place. Research might begin in London but their roots may have started anywhere in the country. In recent times my customers’ genealogical journeys have taken me across England, from Cornwall to Yorkshire. And in Scotland from Kircudbrightshire to Aberdeen.
So many British people found their way to different parts of the globe – some voluntarily, others not so, and it’s been a real pleasure connecting overseas descendants from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Australia with their British ancestors.
Over the years I have worked with so many lovely people, bringing their ancestors back to them through Military and Naval research, piecing families together through Wills and arguments over money in the Chancery courts. I’ve worked on projects going back to the 1500s and in more recent times on the fascinating story of a British actress in the 20th century.It would be great to work with you too.
I work to a very high standard and am qualified with a Diploma in Genealogy from the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. I am a member of both the Association of Genealogists & Researchers in Archives (AGRA) and the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) and abide by their high standards of professionalism and continuing professional development.
I have worked with Lorraine on three projects and she has been incredibly helpful. She keeps me updated on progress, sets expectations appropriately and is thorough in her research. Her reports are well written. I hope to work with her again.
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