Michael J. Rochford, Professional Genealogist and Family Tree Researcher.
Professional Genealogist, Author and Family Historian.
Michael J. Rochford is Heir Line's senior professional genealogist. He is a young, fast, thorough, dedicated and experienced family tree researcher. Michael has an incredible eye for detail and he knows exactly where to look even when others have failed.
Throughout his family history career, he has made fascinating findings that would otherwise have been forgotten. Michael writes history books about his amazing discoveries. In recent years he has been published several times! Michael also writes for genealogy magazines, such as Discover Your Ancestors and his work regularly features in the local and national press.
Although he is based in the UK, Michael works on international family tree projects as well as British family history research. Michael can be hired hourly if you have a specific research requirement. Or you can buy one of Heir Line’s fantastic family history research packages. These make wonderful gifts.
Caroline Rochford, Professional Family History Researcher.
Professional Genealogist, Author and Family Tree Designer.
Caroline Rochford founded Heir Line Ltd in 2009 with Michael. She is a professional genealogist, writer and graphic designer.
Caroline enjoys discovering long lost stories from the past. She writes non-fiction history books about the quirky and fascinating discoveries she’s made during her career as a professional family historian.
When she’s not working on history books, Caroline writes family history reports for clients. She also designs stunning, ready-to-frame family trees.
Caroline has a first class degree in Graphic Arts and Design. She also designs Family History Storybooks and can restore old and damaged photographs, turning black and white or sepia photographs to colour!
How Things Work at our Family History Research Company.
Your family history research project will be carried out to the highest possible standard. Michael and Caroline use original records to ensure accuracy in all family history research.
Your family tree won't simply show names and dates because we don't only rely on census records and birth, marriage and death indexes. This means we produce thorough and detailed reports charting the lives of our clients' ancestors, thus bringing their stories to life.
Heir Line's sources include (but are by no means limited to):
• Wills (from Ecclesiastical Courts and Probate Registries)
• Parish records
• International church records
• Military records
• Archived newspapers
• 1841 - 1921 UK census returns
• 1851, 1901 & 1911 Irish census returns
• 1939 National Register
• Poll books
• Land tax returns
• Lay tax returns such as hearth tax, dating back to the 1300s
• Visitations
• Peerage records
• General Register Office records
• Historical and current electoral rolls
• Genealogical indexes
• Historical criminal records
• Workhouse registers
• Information provided by living relatives
• A collection of trade directories
• A private library of rare and antique books
• Historical maps
What Happens Next?
We will send you a straightforward form so you can give us some details about your family. Then our genealogy researchers will begin tracing your family tree. We offer regular updates keeping you informed of our professional genealogist's progress as the work is carried out. Once we complete your family history project, we will send you a report detailing all of our findings.
We will keep a copy of your research so we can continue tracing branches of your family tree at a later date, if you wish. Also, we can make personalised copies of your family history report for you to give to relatives. These make wonderful gifts.
What sort of History Research does Heir Line undertake?
The simple answer is: more or less anything, providing your project relates to history or genealogy. We often work on a whole range of ancestry services: this includes tracing historical documents, transcribing old handwriting and searching for long-lost relatives. Thus solicitors hire us to carry out probate research and house histories.
Clients praise Michael because of his extraordinary ability to knock down genealogical brick walls. By hiring Heir Line, you get the pleasure of discovering your heritage while our professional genealogists do the hard work!
You can find our contact details below if you have any questions or would like to discuss your project.
