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I live in the Swanlow area of Winsford in the very heart of Cheshire and am descended of a family that has lived in the Northwich district, especially the parish of Davenham, for several hundred years. I have three adult sons who all live in Macclesfield.

For thirty years I served the people of Cheshire as an officer with the Cheshire Constabulary. On retiring in 1998 I worked as a Community Safety Co-ordinator with Vale Royal Borough Council until April 2007. Having now retired from a professional life in public service, I now spend much of my time researching local history.

Since my school days I have had a passionate interest in the history of my home county. My interests resulted in obtaining a B.A. in History (Manchester, 1991) and an M.A. in Local History (Keele, 1994). I have written many articles on various aspects of Cheshire History . I am a regular speaker/lecturer to local history and similar societies and  a part-time lecturer in the subject with local adult education centres. Over the years I have taught classes on local history research and detecting family history at a number of adult educational establishments.

As well as being a member of a number of academic societies in the region, I have completed  two three-year terms as chair of the Cheshire Local History Association and am now an active member of its Executive Committee. I am a member of the Winsford Local History Society of which I was chairman for many years and am currently Chairman of  the Northwich Heritage Society. During the 1990s I wrote and edited a short series of the Winsford History Society’s publications: The Winsford Record.
 

I can undertake research into Local History matters related to the county of Cheshire as well as Family History research for families with links to the county. If you require it, I can undertake record searches in record offices, libraries and other repositories in the county. I can also make visits to local places for you and make site and topographical reports. I will also be pleased to offer advice to those who wish to embark on their own researches.