Research Services

Property Professionals

Understanding historic buildings, their sites and settings is the key to successful conservation, and an integral part of good conservation practice.

Ellen Leslie provides background research to inform the conservation/repair process. She also writes heritage statements and other assessment reports to support listed building planning applications. Clients include architects, property developers, surveyors, engineers and other historic environment professionals.

Research is carried out using primary and secondary sources, through site visits, local, national and commercial archives.

Private Homeowners

Ellen’s research reveals how a building has developed, who lived there and how it fitted into the history of its estate, village or neighbourhood.

When commissioning house history, the research can be professionally bound and colourfully illustrated with historical documentation, photographs, drawings, plans and maps.

An alternative to a full house history is to commission a foundation search. This is particularly useful if there is something specific you wish to find out or to just get a feel for what could potentially be unearthed!

Whichever format you choose, there are many reasons why as a private homeowner you might wish to unlock the history of your house.

To support planning applications and in advance of any renovations or restoration
To understand the historic construction of the house to assist with on-going maintenance
If you are selling, a history of your house would help to market the property, emphasising its unique story
As a gift – house histories always make excellent birthday, Christmas, anniversary and retirement presents. Gift Certificates available.

Family History

Ellen has extensive experience uncovering the lives and ancestry of families from the present day to the 16th century, as part of the private homeowner service. She can also help you trace your own family tree.

Genealogy searches range from tracing one ancestor, to establishing an entire line as far back as records will allow. Whether you need to solve a family mystery or establish the family story and a family tree for posterity, Ellen can help. Get in contact via this website for details.

Legal Profession

Ellen provides confidential historical and archival research for legal professionals requiring a clear understanding of a property, site or building’s past. Research can include historic ownership and occupation, land use, building development, planning and building records. Findings are presented clearly with full source references, to provide a robust documentary evidence base.

Antiques & Artifacts

A service mainly for trade specialists, Ellen can help confirm the provenance of antiques and artefacts, through documentary evidence. Past commissions have included investigating the provenance of a set of Eric Gill carvings, paintings purported to be by John Constable and Turner and the John & Elizabeth Cadwalader Tall Post Bedstead circa 1769.

Authors

Ellen provides research support for authors, whether for a factual book or fiction. Through primary and secondary sources, she can verify specific facts or provide historical background information to enhance the narrative. For example, Ellen carried out architectural and general historical research for the book “The Mistresses of Cliveden” by Natalie Livingstone.