About Us

The history of Debrett can be traced back to 1766, when John Field Debrett, the 13-year-old son of a French cook, was apprenticed to a Piccadilly bookseller and publisher, Robert Davis. By 1781, John Debrett was running his own business, and in due course he took over the publication originally known as Collin’s Peerage which, by 1802, was published as Debrett’s Correct Peerage. Over two centuries later, Debrett’s Peerage and Baronetage is now in its 147th imprint, and is still the definitive genealogical guide to Britain’s titled families.

By the 1960s and 1970s, however, it was clear that it was not only peers and baronets who took pride in their family history. In response to a growing interest which spanned right across society, Debrett's Peerage Ltd set up a new division, Debrett Ancestry Research, with the aim of providing a high-quality, professional research service for anyone with British ancestry. Now a separate company, Debrett Ancestry Research has researched more than 7000 families from all walks of life and from all over the world.

In the 21st century, the desire to know where our families come from is stronger than ever and, with the growth of modern information technology, the opportunities for finding out have never been more exciting. Building on our long tradition of excellence, and making full use of resources and techniques both old and new, Debrett Ancestry Research continues to offer unrivalled expertise and experience in the field of genealogical research.

Dr Susan Morris, Director of Research
Susan studied English and History at Durham University, graduating in 1980 with a first class honours degree in English.  She remained at Durham for postgraduate study in the field of British ballad history, in which she was awarded a doctorate in 1985.  After working in the publishing industry for two years, Susan joined Debrett Ancestry Research in 1985, becoming a Director in 1987.  She has published articles on the subject of oral history and co-authored The History of Offwell.  Special interests: the oral tradition in genealogy, social history.

Gervase Belfield, Consultant Genealogist
Gervase was born in Winchester in 1953 and was educated at Ampleforth College, Yorkshire.  He graduated with a B.A. (Hons) degree in History from Southampton University in 1976 and was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1979.  Gervase joined Debrett Ancestry Research in 1980.   He is the author and co-author of several articles and books of historical and genealogical interest including ‘Cardinal Beaufort and his Almshouse at St Cross’, The History of Offwell and The Six Month Kingdom: Albania 1914.  Special interests: medieval history, Catholic history, Balkan history. 

Drusilla Bates, Office Administrator
Drusilla graduated with a B.A. (Hons) degree in English and Latin from Exeter University in 1976 and worked for some years at the National Maritime Museum.    She has trained in the art of traditional bookbinding.  She joined the Debrett team in 2009 to help run our busy office and keep our 8000-odd case files under control. 

Amanda Caldwell, Proofreader, Pedigree Designer and Researcher
Amanda graduated in 1975 with a B.A. (Hons) degree in Law and French from the City of London Polytechnic and has been a concert organiser for young classical musicians, a financial futures broker and an advisor for the Society of Authors.  A qualified proofreader and an experienced copy editor, she has also worked in magazine and book publishing.  She has been a freelance member of our team for the last ten years.

Wendy Bosberry-Scott, Pedigree Designer
Having worked for Debrett for many years as genealogist and office manager, Wendy continues to typeset pedigrees for us while working full time in the publishing industry.

Local Specialists
In addition, our nationwide network of more than 40 expert researchers provides access to archives throughout the UK and Ireland.

“If there is a solution, I believe Debrett’s can find it.” (W Dowell, Virginia)

Debrett Ancestry Research Ltd
Department WP
PO Box 379
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9YQ
United Kingdom

Tel: (+44) (0)1962 841904

Email:
wp@debrettancestry.co.uk