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Jane Roberts BA (Hons) History
AGRA Associate

I am a professionally qualified family, house and local history researcher based in the heart of West Yorkshire, ideally located for undertaking archive research in that county and the wider Yorkshire area. I can also visit archives in other areas of England. In addition, I undertake on-line research using the full range of genealogy databases, indexes and other resources, including some lesser-known and niche ones. This includes Irish records.

As a result, my work is not confined to Yorkshire. I have undertaken research commissions across England, as well as work involving migration from Ireland and to other countries. It ranges from one-off document look-ups, and specific brick-wall busting, to occupational and local area research, reviewing and building family trees for all levels of family history researcher, producing house histories and even fulfilling photographic requests.

In addition to conducting research projects for individuals, I carry out research for academics, authors and other genealogists. I also have a selection of family and local history talks if you are looking for a speaker for your organisation.

All work is undertaken with professionalism, attention to detail and to the same high standard as I would wish my own research to be conducted.

Some information about my background.

My fascination for history is lifelong. I studied Modern History at Liverpool University, graduating with a BA (Hons), and gaining valuable experience in archival research. My university papers included comparing and contrasting census data between a rural and industrial county; and examining child employment in the silk industry. Both demonstrate my interest in family and local history research.

Afterwards, I worked in the civil service as a policy manager, a role which involved a significant amount of planning, coordinating, research and writing. Throughout it all, I retained my love of history. This extended to researching my own family history, which is predominantly from Yorkshire and County Mayo, and undertaking formal genealogy learning and development.

In 2016 I completed the Pharos Tutors Family History Skills and Strategies (Intermediate) Certificate Course, passing with a distinction, receiving the highest overall mark of students graduating that year. In September 2017 I became an Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) Associate. In 2018 I achieved a Distinction in the two-year Pharos Tutors Family History Skills and Strategies (Advanced) Distance Learning Course, again achieving the highest marks in my cohort. I continue to undertake formal learning, keeping up-to-date with the latest genealogy techniques and records through continuing professional development to ensure I provide a quality research service.

In terms of wider family and local history experience, I have a registered One-Place Study based in Batley around the Catholic parish of St Mary of the Angels. I also conduct a one-name study, Aveyard. I am a member of the Batley History Group, along with several Family History Societies. Until 2021 I held the position of editor for the Huddersfield and District Family History Society quarterly Journal. I also wrote a family history column in Yorkshire nostalgia magazine “Down Your Way” and I have an established family and local history blog.

I have a keen interest in Great War research, frequently visiting the battlefields of the Western Front. In 2014 I published a sell-out charity booklet about the 76 men whose names are inscribed on the Batley St Mary of the Angels War Memorial. My groundbreaking book about rugby league players who lost their lives in the Great War was published in September 2018: “The Greatest Sacrifice: Fallen Heroes of the Northern Union.” The sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football League, used the book as the basis for their Armistice Centenary Test Match.

Please see my website for details about the family, house and local history research services I provide. It also includes details of my talks.

From a one-off piece of work to a bigger project, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your research requirements.

Contact Jane Roberts

Email: pasttopresentgenealogy@btinternet.com

Thank you, your enquiry has been sent

Liversedge
West Yorkshire

Jane has gone above and beyond in producing a written account of the history of my house. It really was like having my own personal “A House Through Time” researcher. I am amazed at what she discovered, both about the history of the house and those who lived in it.

CI UK

Hi Jane, thank you, thank you so very much, I’m so impressed with how much you’ve managed to do in such a short time. I’m frankly amazed at your detective work! It’s taken me a while to digest and get my head around all the information.

I shared your report with my friend who had also tried to help me find xxx and she was also very impressed, I think she plans to contact you regarding an ancestor…

Sue, UK

I cannot believe my luck that I met Jane of Past to Present Genealogy. My sisters in law and I had been aimlessly trying for years to even think about how to start tracing my mother in law’s best friend ......Jane managed to trace the family and indeed my mother in law’s friend. They are both eighty eight now so we feel very lucky that that they are both still in good health and have time to pick up their friendship where they left off 50 years ago. They’ve already written to each other and now they’ve spoken to each other and are arranging to meet! We could not have believed all this would be possible and indeed it wouldn’t have been without Jane and Past to Present Genealogy.

I would strongly recommend Jane to everyone and to anyone who has been wanting to get in touch with someone for themselves or someone they know and love get in contact now as it really can be a reality. She’s granted my mother in law a miracle and we are so very grateful and she is really so lovely to work with. THANK YOU JANE.

Helen, UK