Research

The authors and editors (and moderators) of this site have many years experience and are well qualified in the field of verifiable genealogical and historical research. We have also maintained a range of genealogical based web sites and can assist with web site creation, including the use of TNG or The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding.

Researchers

Ian Byers is a co-researcher and the primary editor of the ARNOTT, BAILEY, BYRES, CAMPBELL, REID, PALMER, POWELL, QUESTED, ROWLANDS and WOODHEAD family stories and other general resources and articles provided on this site.
Ian - Ian

Resources Available

Ian has a personal genealogy database of 50,000+ individuals, also mostly Tasmanian. He is a long term user of the Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office (TAHO) resources. For example, a largely untapped resource for most Tasmanian descendants is the Colonial Secretary’s Office (CSO) Correspondence. This is only available on microfilm at the TAHO facilities in Hobart, Tasmania. Indexes to all Australian States and Territories - Births, Marriages and Deaths (as well New Zealand) are now available online but he also holds or has access to the following specific resources.

  • Tasmanian Federation Births, Deaths and Marriages Index
  • Convicts Transportation Database
  • All other Australian state Births, Deaths and Marriages
  • Land Information System Tasmania (LIST) - Mapping, Land title grants, deeds and memorials
  • Historical Records of Australia
  • Exiled ! Three Times Over by Irene Schaffer and Thelma McKay - Profiles of Norfolk Islanders
  • Land Musters, Stock Returns and Lists 1803-1822 by Irene Schaffer
  • Full access to Ancestry ; MyHeritage and Find-My-Past (AU)

He is also experienced in using other online resources such as TROVE, Family Search, or Scotland’s People. He has accounts to use these sites and can conduct searches on your behalf.

Indicative Pricing

  • The initial consultation and a basic search is free - the charge is then $50 per hour which does not include vehicle fuel or the costs of copying, or requesting online certificates etc. If he needs to travel to research your ancestor or topic, or purchase certificates, he will consult you.
  • He will provide an overview of research after each session (typically 2 hours), so you know where he's been for future reference. Even if he doesn't find something it’s good to know what records he has viewed.

Scope Restrictions

he does not trade in the exchange of descendant reports (e.g. register reports or reports that include just names and dates, and details of the living), nor does he research the living. He is not a private investigator and specialises in historical research only. He will provide research reports on designated individuals and families and only for those who are deceased.

Privacy

He will never share your personal details unless you explicitly ask us to.

Research Enquiries

Should you wish to avail yourself of his expertise and skills, please use the Contact form to request a free initial consultation.