Search The Past is based in Hilton, Derbyshire and is managed by Helena Coney.

I have over 25 years experience using local and national record offices and libraries with particular experience in the South Derbyshire/East Staffordshire area. I have my own paternal (fathers) line back to a marriage in 1604, using a wide variety of records. This Bladon tree has over 7000 people on it. I have set my own web site up for the Bladon family www.bladon.me.uk and like to think I am the first port of call for people interested in the name – I welcome all enquiries and have a vast database of Bladon pedigrees.

As I was stuck for 15 years on my great x 5 grandfathers baptism I gained a lot of experience in pre 1800 documents both in the parish chest (records of the parish) and the Diocese of Lichfield. These include wills, settlement certificates, removal orders, court rolls, marriage licences, estate records and early parish registers to name a few. These records certainly put flesh on the bones of your ancestors, and in some cases would have been handled by your ancestors.

I am a member of the Society Of Genealogists, Derbyshire Family History Society and the Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry and Staffordshire Parish Register Society. I have completed the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies Correspondence Course in Family History.

I have also researched, written and published a 160 page book relating to the history of  Gayton Junior School, Littleover, Derby and the local area, which has raised money for the school. The main basis for the school history were the school log books, former pupils memories, newspapers, county council education documents and photos.  The most interesting aspects were the years during World War 2 as details of air raids and bombs were recorded.