I am thoroughly impressed by Alvin’s enthusiasm.
He has uncovered some surprises for me in my family tree and I’m delighted. The binders are professional in appearance and now that I have so much information, I’m hoping to visit the places where my ancestors lived hundreds of years ago.
I would recommend ‘The Alvin Experience’ to those who are interested in uncovering their past.
Chris Ord, October 2024
My sister had used the services of Alvin for our family ancestry charts. It was fascinating to see so much information going back generations. My husband wanted the same for his own family and children, so I was given Alvin’s contact details. From the first email I sent, Alvin was very polite and professional, always responding quickly to any questions I had. During the process of researching and preparing the charts he gave many informative updates. I cannot recommend Alvin highly enough.
Maureen, Corfu, Greece. July 2024
Having carefully researched the web for a trusted and more importantly a local genealogist, I discovered Alvin at Discover Your Roots.
Alvin has been a true professional from the offset in researching both my Paternal and Maternal lines of my family. His commitment and dedication to both research and factual evidence is unquestionable, a true professional.
Keeping you updated frequently during his research, Alvin is vert attentive to detail and is always at hand to offer advice and help when needed.
Having been so impressed with his work to date, I am now commissioning further research to hopefully go further back in time to discover even more of my ancestors from the depths of time.
If you are considering tracing your family tree, or uncovering some of your families past, then Alvin is your man.
Gary, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. April 2022
I cannot praise Alvin enough for the work he has done on solving a 45 year old mystery for me based on the memory of a photo I had seen as a child. His tireless work traced the connection to my nan. He also went on to solve another family mystery of an Irish connection. Alvin’s enthusiasm about his work and dedication to discovering your true family roots speaks volumes about his skill and honesty. Whilst he also adds in little facts that he comes across that truly bring the family tree to life. The beautifully printed scroll and binder of documents is testament to this – thank you Alvin.
Brigid, South Yorkshire. April 2022
I had been looking into my family tree but I wanted to get some professional help with my research. I was very pleased to be passed a leaflet about Alvin with regards to the Family Tree Service he offers. Alvin has been very professional and approachable which gave me the confidence and peace of mind that my Family Tree was in good hands. Thank you for all your hard work, knowledge and finding new family connections that are now part of my history.
Roxanne, South Yorkshire. April 2022
I’ve been wanting to do a family tree for a number of years and decided to contact Alvin. He was very knowledgeable and using his expertise he’d managed to trace both my parents families back to the 1700s. It was fascinating learning about my ancestors, where they had lived and the diversity of job roles they’ve done.
Alvin is passionate and enthusiastic about his work. He’s determined to dig up as much information as he can and excited to share what he has uncovered.
I received a scroll which clearly and concisely illustrates my ancestors, dating back to the 1700s. Along with copies of birth and death certificates where they could be found.
I’m really grateful to Alvin for all his efforts and would recommend him to anyone that is interested in tracing their family roots.
David Williams-Berry, West Yorkshire. February 2021
I first met Alvin at the 2019 Elsecar Christmas Fair where he had a stand advertising his Genealogy Services.
From that discussion together we embarked on a fascinating journey tracing our family history. The journey took us locally around Sheffield , to Lancashire, to London and across to Ireland finding some intriguing facts along the way.
The whole experience with Alvin has been very worthwhile and very rewarding, resulting in a comprehensive overview of our Family Tree for generations to come to enjoy.
Charles M, Grenoside, Sheffield. February 2021
For a while we had tried tracing our family history without much success. Alvin was recommended to us and we were highly pleased with his results. They solved a lot of family riddles.
Alvin is an extremely friendly and approachable person who kept us informed every step of the way. His almost daily emails were a pleasure to look forward to as they threw up quite a few surprises.
For those who are interested in their family history we cannot recommend him highly enough.
John & Linda K. Dronfield. February 2021
“I can’t thank Alvin enough for the work that he has done for me. It started because gov.uk were unable to trace my paternal grandmother’s birth certificate at a considerable cost to me. I knew that she had been born in Dublin, Ireland and I gave them the correct year, and maiden and marital names, but, I got no joy! After weeks upon weeks of chasing them for my grandmother’s birth certificate they admitted that they were unable to trace her. To my great fortune, I was introduced to Alvin Hickling, genealogist extraordinaire. Within 24 hours Alvin had traced my grandmother and my father and some of his siblings. I simply could not believe my luck, for I needed my grandmother’s birth certificate for my application for citizenship in Ireland. Alvin got the certificate to me within a few days. He went on to acquire for me her marriage certificate, and her death certificate as well as my parents marriage certificate and my father’s death certificate. Again, I received them within a few days. He has been an absolute Godsend and he has so very, very kindly pointed me in the right direction to obtain my marriage certificate, which was outside the UK and in a foreign language. Thank you Alvin, for your most kind messages, your flash-of-lightening-speed-of-
Elizabeth, London. March 2020
“I had made a start on my family tree back in the nineties but ran out of steam. Meeting Alvin at Elsecar Heritage Centre craft market was a godsend. Alvin kickstarted the research again. His work was excellent and I discovered exciting new things about my ancestors. The final family tree was breathtaking and I can highly recommend him.”
Michael, Swinton. March 2020.
“I wanted to thank you for the work you put in researching my family history, for the giant family tree and folder of evidence to back it up.In the past I had subscribed to Ancestry and built a family tree, tracing my family history on its “suggestions” from other members.Focusing primarily on my two family names, I spent little time tracing other parts of my tree.Your research took my “two branch tree” and a handful of birth certificates and filled in all the missing gaps, so now it contains almost 300 people.You also identified mistakes in my tree, and corrected them, which is invaluable to me and you went above and beyond what I expected.I now have a family tree I can trust is correct, with a folder full of reference material I can add to.I am very happy with the results, and would recommend you to anyone who wants to trace their family history.”
Oliver, Lichfield.
I’ve been meaning to get my family tree done for years, and I’m so glad we chose Alvin to do it. We have been thoroughly impressed with the service provided – dedicated, accurate and fast, Alvin does indeed have a passion for “discovering your roots”
Thank you, Alvin for your hard work, the little bonus of our ‘Stokesley’ print from the Antique Centre and giving us answers for things we may never have known.
It’s been a pleasure.
Christine, Hoyland Common
Thank you so much Alvin for our family tree. Your commitment and expertise brought about a wonderful birthday gift for my dad. Much appreciated.
Joanne Cliff, Rotherham
I have often thought it would be interesting to have my family tree done. I discovered that Alvin, one of my Yoga students was a Genealogist. I decided to have it done as a birthday present for my father. It was the best birthday present I’ve ever bought him. He was delighted and fascinated. Alvin is passionate about his work and clearly takes great pride in delivering a truly professional service. I highly recommend Alvin , he has been a joy to correspond with.
Jenny Smith, Yoga Teacher, Rotherham
Alvin is the perfect guide on an exciting journey into your past. Sensitive, warm and unfailingly enthusiastic, he will uncover lost links with family and provide insights into ancestors lost in the passage of time. Frequent updates will brighten your day, and you will find his passion completely infectious. The result is a wonderful family tree, accompanied by a smart bound copy of all the source materials used to compile it, together with a computer friendly version. The whole family is hooked. Alvin’s zest for the past and the joy he has for his work shines through. Thoroughly recommended. A perfect gift for an anniversary, a special birthday or Christmas.
Philippa Knight, Cornwall
I would like to say that Alvin Hickling of Discover Your Roots has done me proud. Within 24 hours he had found the address for one of my sisters and within 72hrs I had spoken to two sisters whom I had lost touch with for over 50 years. We are planning to meet up and with so much to catch up on emotions are high and tears plentiful. Keep up the good work Alvin, I recommend Discover Your Roots 100%!
Alex Wade, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
I came to Alvin as a virtual last resort to ask if he could find my brother. Within a short time Alvin came back with the information that his contact in Grimsby had confirmed that my brother did exist and had been adopted in 1951 and had changed his name. From then on it was in the hands of the Social Workers who eventually gave me permission to approach him, this was early in May 2013. I first sent him a letter and then spoke to him on the telephone, this went on until November 2013 when on the 19th I was able to meet him and his family. It was quite an event between two old men in the 70’s getting to know eachother for the first time in their lives. This could not have been done without Alvin’s help and to that I am eternally grateful.
Dennis Westcott, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
I was delighted with Discover Your Roots work in producing my family tree. Amazingly, I have discovered that I have ancestry in the area where I was drawn to live, despite the fact that I grew up 200 miles away and no one in our living family knew that my great great great grandfather was born here, along with all his children!
Jane Ellison-Bates, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Alvin’s knowledge and expertise in the genealogy field is extensive and his help has been invaluable to many of the customers at Wath library. They have benefitted greatly from his support and guidance in accessing family records. Alvin’s enthusiasm for family history is infectious and his determination has uncovered new branches to many of our visitor’s family trees.
Carly Spark, Principal Library Assistant, Wath Library
Thank you Alvin for my family tree. I had no knowledge of my ancestors other than my father as his father died in 1923. Your attention to detail and the enthusiastic manner in which you carried out the searches was much appreciated.Would have no hesitation in recommending you to others.
John Brook
Thank you Alvin you are a true professional
Eric & Sybil Job
What can we say, from start to finish we have nothing but admiration for your attention to detail and the professional manner in which you undertook what was at times a complicated family tree, and when at the end we asked factor something a little out of the norm to be added YOU DELIVERED. We cannot thank you enough.
Mr L Ward
Alvin did a lot of research for us and found out things about our family history that we never knew! It was so interesting. Alvin was passionate about the work he was doing for our family and this was clear within his work. He left no stone unturned. He produced an excellent, very easy to read and follow, family tree, which went back hundreds of years and was very in depth. It has definitely given us ‘food for thought’ and we are planning on visiting some of the important places highlighted on our family tree, where our ancestors lived, worked and grew up. 5 star rating. Would definitely recommend!
The Brittains
Alvin was very passionate and meticulous for detail on our family tree. He went back hundreds of years and left us with a lovely keep sake to pass down. We would highly recommend him, nothing was too much trouble.
A Woodward
Your work is most appreciated ,and we will have no hesitation in engaging your services for matters of a similar nature in the future.
Hattersleys Solicitors
After receiving the family tree as a birthday present for my mother in law I’m thrilled; so much information, its brilliant and the presentation is beautiful, very professionally done.
Julie Hyde
Just want to thank you for the brilliant family tree that you did for me, the information you found out about my relatives was excellent and very interesting, I can t believe you got as far back as 1700! Thanks again, really good value for money.
Joanne Whitfield
Many thanks for doing such a good job on my family tree, the amount of time and research you put in is unbelievable. This is something I can pass down to my children; worth every penny.
Jill Petein
I was very happy with the service provided by Alvin, he discovered a depth of information on my family which even included insurance claims after ‘The Great Flood’. He put together a huge family tree and a portfolio of information which I have given as a present to my children. They now have extraordinary details of the lives and times of the people who formed their background.
Bev Peck
My wife and I have both recently used the services of Alvin Hickling to research our respective family trees. We cannot speak highly enough of Alvin’s dedication, enthusiasm and persistence. We would not hesitate to recommend Alvin to anyone who is looking for first class service in providing their family tree.
Christopher & Sandra Chapman
I have been very impressed with the work Discover Your Roots have done in putting together my family tree, particularly in tracing one lost relative through the Blue Coat Charity School for orphaned children. Alvin’s attention to detail and friendly disposition have made the whole process an enjoyable adventure I would not hesitate to recommend to others.
William Davenport
Very thorough and in depth analysis with a personal touch and full explanation of the findings which brought to our attention relatives we had long forgotten.We are over the moon with the results.
Kevin & Angela James, Thurgoland, South Yorkshire
Alvin did mine and my husbands family trees. We were highly satisfied with them. He discovered a sister that I never knew about. We have now met up but have a lot of catching up to do.
Christine Walker
We had two family trees done. One for my dad’s birthday and one for my in-laws as a joint birthday present. The in-laws were both thrilled to bits when they opened it. Alvin worked hard on them in the short timescale that we gave him. We had little information to give him to start with but he soon found many family members. A lovely man who is very passionate about his work. Angela and Russ