Published Research
I’ve always loved putting pieces together to make a story; searching out clues to build out house and family histories.
More than a decade of posts sit on this website (for better or worse). I wrote many alongside work in Archive Education and Outreach, and then as a Heritage Centre Manager. Plenty more date from more recently, during which time I’ve been working in modern document technology.
Over the past few years, I’ve written books, given talks, recorded videos, undertaken radio interviews, appeared in magazines and tried new styles of writing. And, of course, produced reports for clients.
The list below summarises some of those projects that you can access online or elsewhere.
Blog
My blog is updated as time allows (not always very frequently right now). Follow my social channels or subscribe to my posts to be the first to know when it’s updated.
My move to a free site (Feb 24) means that the pages are not as pretty as they were, but it was a good way to ensure the content remained online.
Research and Marketing Services
Commissioned research (or marketing services; I have extensive marketing experience, too) is charged on a day rate (eight hours) or a half-day rate (four hours). Travel and other expenses are additional. My charges are based on the OHS and ARA recommendations.
Talks
A selection of talks available electronically:
Business histories: putting our ancestors into their commercial communities (2022)
Initially given as a talk for the RQG conference in 2021, this talk is also available on the RootsTech website after being shared at the 2022 show. (Also embedded below).
Tips & Tricks: The American Library Norfolk (2022)
A three-minute video all about the American Library here in the UK, made for RootsTech 2022 and still available online. (Also embedded below).
Genetic Genealogy (2017)
Made available as Episode Five on the Norfolk Heritage Centre podcast after Elizabeth’s Heritage Hour, October 2017.
Researching in Norfolk (2017)
A short talk given at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2017, made available by the Register of Qualified Genealogists.
Talks for Groups
My most recent talk was based on my One-Place Study and made available only to members of the Society for One-Place Studies. My next will be in April 2024 for the Register of Qualified Genealogists conference.
I only do a couple of talks a year at the moment but do feel free to contact me about the possibility.
Publications
Since the kids arrived, I have done fewer publications, but I’m working on what I hope will be my best yet…
In the meantime, here are a few things I have written, available online and off.
Well, Well, Well: The Story of a Suffolk Heroine (2023)
In the summer of 2023, I was lucky enough to be a runner-up in the National Archives’ #20sStreets competition. You can read my story about a fascinating woman from Cretingham (and later Kelsale) called Ellen Pritty on the TNA website.
In summer 2021, I wrote an entry to the IHGS Diamond Essay Competition and was over the moon to be placed runner-up. The essay was published on the IHGS website and in their journal. It tells the story of my grandfather’s business and the generations that came before him in the trade.
Secret Norwich, my most recent book with Amberley Publishing, was published on 15 March 2018. It includes seven themed chapters exploring some of her favourite lesser-known aspects of the city’s history. Hopefully, it highlights stories and sources not published before and provides an interesting read for locals and visitors alike.
The book is available online or in local bookshops and copies have also been given to Norfolk Library and Information Service and Norfolk Record Office.
Surname/One-Name Study (2017)
I began a One-Name Study formally in early 2017 and aim to develop it over the next few years. As work is currently slow, there is no separate website, and the blog posts appear here on this site. Read more on my Walne Study pages.
One-Place Study (2017)
Similarly, a website for my Place Study came into being in 2017. This, too, is now part of this website and will be developed over the coming years. The posts are about Cransford and Badingham for the most part and form the context for my next book.
Suffolk Maps (2015)
Created for my own research, these useful parish maps can be downloaded from the resources page.
The Moated Grange (2015)
This isn’t my book, but I supported the author, Elaine Murphy, in some of the research for this publication, which also features two chapters about my own ancestors. The book focuses on the story of south Norfolk through the owners and occupiers of one home over several centuries.
Researching your World War One Ancestors (2014)
A guide to finding out more about your First World War ancestors, written in partnership with my then-colleagues. Available for purchase in Norfolk libraries and museums, or downloadable from the Norfolk Record Office website.
Please note that this is quite an old publication now and since 2014, some websites, prices etc. have changed, and additional record sets have become accessible. That said, it could still be a useful introduction.
Disaster, Resistance and Consequence (2014)
Anti-vaccinators in Norwich 1882-1885: Who were they and how were they punished?
This project was my MSc dissertation. I have regularly given talks on this subject, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more.
As part of the project, I transcribed nearly 5000 individual vaccination register entries for Norwich between 1882 and 1885.
Diss and District Through Time (2012)
An addition to Amberley’s well-known series, this is available in all good bookshops, and you can also borrow it from your Norfolk library.
Magazine Articles
In 2020 I featured in a trio of articles about Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex surnames in the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) and Eastern Daily Press (EDP).
Way back in 2014, I wrote a ‘Focus On’ piece for Who Do You Think You Are? magazine about Section 62 parish emigration, using an example from Winfarthing, Norfolk. You can also hear me talking about it on the WDYTYA? September 2014 podcast (available here: http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/podcasts).
Newspaper Column
For a while, I wrote a newspaper column for the Diss Express, examples of which can be found on the web.
Other Research
Copies of research projects, including a study of Assisted Emigration in Norfolk 1836-7 and another on illegitimacy and bastardy records in Shipdham, 1785-1834, are lodged at Norfolk Record Office and Norfolk Heritage Centre.
Research Commissions
Although I offer some private research, it is currently limited to just a few projects per year. I offer consultancy to the media or other organisations for special projects and am currently working on a small number of personal projects. I have also offered tuition, group workshops (for both adults and children) and one:one support in the past.
Should you wish to get in touch, please do. If I can’t help, I will point you in the direction of someone who may be able to!
Testimonials
— J & B R, 2022
— V.B. 2021
“A novice explorer in house history needs a guide and good companion, and there could be no finer than Elizabeth Budd, nee Walne…she nailed down ancestors, their later descendants, and unearthed so much more than I ever would have alone. Elizabeth has done all the basic slog of tracking the documentation through Elizabethan time to the twentieth century…I simply could not have written this book without her and my expression of thanks is bound to be inadequate.”
Elaine Murphy, Acknowledgements in The Moated Grange
“Your Local History provided an efficient yet friendly professional service handling potentially difficult family issues sensitively. I am delighted with the book, which is backed up with detailed due diligence and research. The photographs really bring to life the different locations. An excellent record of past generations, not just who they were but where they lived and what they did. Totally fascinating and a great record for future generations. Thank you so much for all your hard work, I will be recommending your service to other friends seeking to investigate their past.”
Anon
Elizabeth Walne's Your Local History 