About Me

My name is Tony and I have lived in Wakefield for twenty years. I have been researching my family history since 2004 because I was curious to find out more about my family and I have a passion for history.

My ancestors on my maternal side come from Kent and north Norfolk and on the paternal side from the Deptford and Greenwich area of London. 

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As I continued I found it very rewarding to build on my skills of investigation, analysis of documents and combining with historical events to bring the family tree to life.

I have studied Beyond the Internet Family and Local History Courses, Part 1 & 2 through the University of Dundee. My employment experience in analysis and testing have also helped me.

During this period I have researched and constructed family trees for others who are curious about their past. 

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I completed the ten assessed modules of the Pharos Tutors Family History Skills and Strategies Intermediate Distance Learning Course with distinction in August 2021. This Intermediate Certificate consists of modules

• Military Ancestors

• Employment Records

• Poor Law

• Wills and Administration

• Nonconformity

• Apprenticeships

• Migration in the British Isles

• 18th Century Sources

• 17th Century Sources

• Victorian Crime & Punishment, Courts, Police & Prisons

​You can read more at Intermediate Genealogy Certificate | Pharos Tutors 

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I have passed the Pharos Tutors Family History Skills and Strategies Advanced Distance Learning Course. For the Advanced Course I demonstrated genealogical skills on nine courses, research planning and a research project. The courses consists modules

• Palaeography

• Manorial Records

• Researching Online

• Research Methods & Reports

• Church and Community

• Researching in Archives

• Medieval Records

• Title Deeds

• Chancery Court Disputes. 

You can read more at Advanced Genealogy Certificate | Pharos Tutors

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I am an Associate of AGRA (Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives.

See link: Tony Smith : Genealogist In West Yorkshire : AGRA : Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives

AGRA promotes professional standards in Genealogy and you can read more about their code of practice at Code Of Practice and Ethics : About : AGRA : Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives

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I am a Member of the Wakefield & District Family History Society and the Wakefield Civic Society.



I look forward to helping you.



Tony Smith - AGRA Associate