House History, Genealogy and Local History Research in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Walne, and I’m a Qualified Genealogist (QG) based in Norfolk, England. As a Suffolk girl in the wrong county, this website brings together my One-Place Study (Cransford and Badingham in Suffolk), Surname Study (Walne, predominantly in Norfolk and Lancashire), and various other content that I’ve written or recorded over the last couple of decades.
I’m doing my best to write a new book right now, but I’m still doing some research and speaking gigs. This website should keep you up to date.
What I Do
I’m a Qualified Genealogist and graduated with an MSc (distinction) in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde back in 2014 while still working full-time in heritage and archives.
I worked for Norfolk libraries and record office for a decade, supporting researchers, running courses and giving talks, but since 2018 I’ve been an independent researcher, speaker and workshop leader. My main interest is house history, particularly of timber-framed farmhouses and the people who lived and worked in them.
Since 2018 I’ve become a senior marketer. Last year, I moved from a Head of Marketing role into a CRM & Digital Automation specialist role at a university. Unwittingly, my niche has become heritage marketing, and most of my talks now are under that ‘roots to reach’ umbrella – showing researchers how to get more eyes on their research.
What I’ve Published
I began writing blog posts getting on for twenty years ago, but more recently have been concentrating on longer form content. I’m writing a new book at the moment, and you can find some other recent publications on my Stories, Books and Published Work page.
An archive of blog posts can also be found in the following three categories. Please note that many of these are dated now; I keep them online for interest’s sake but am not routinely adding to them at present.
Badingham & Cransford
Posts about my One-Place Studies in Suffolk, England. These are informing my current book.
The Walne Surname Study
Posts about my Surname Study (also known as a One-Name Study) across the globe.
Local Research Blog Posts
Everything in one place! Posts related to genealogy and other historical projects.
Online Talks and Videos
A few of my more recent online talks are linked below.
Business History
This is my talk from the RQG conference in 2022 entitled Business Histories: Putting Our Ancestors Into Their Commercial Communities.
One-Place Studies
Listen to a podcast where we chat all thing One-Place Studies with the Family Histories Federation (see episode 5, series 1).
American Library
Did you know Norfolk has its own American Library? Learn more in my 3-minute video made for RootsTech.
Next event…
RQG Conference 2026
Back in 2024, I spoke at the same conference, themed around “Sharing Memories: Uncovering your Family History through Storytelling“
My talk was entitled:
“Sharing Your Story: How Marketers Can Help Genealogists to Tell More Compelling Stories”
Register of Qualified Genealogists
I am pleased to be a founding member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists, giving me the letters ‘QG’.
You can learn more about the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) on the website.
The website directory details members’ specialities if you are looking for a particular skill, e.g. Latin or Adoption Records. You will be able to find a member near you (or your ancestors!)
In 2024, RQG gained its 300th member – in 2016, I was just number 15. All of us meet strict criteria for admission with postgraduate qualifications from recognised institutions, and we are all required to participate in continuous personal development (CPD) to offer the best possible mix of experience, knowledge and expertise.
“Outstanding job”
“I would like to thank you officially for your presentation. You did an outstanding job and thank you for your enthusiasm for the information you presented.”
“Very inspirational”
Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation the other evening, the evaluations were unanimous in their enthusiasm, and I found it all fascinating too – very inspirational, so thank you.
“Wonderfully detailed”
A small strip of metal with a few details, a name, location and an indication of something medical and intriguing… A friend suggested Elizabeth… A wonderfully detailed report followed – Thank you.
Recent Posts
What’s New Across My Site
- Framlingham Corn MerchantsBack in 2021, I entered a competition to write ‘A story worth telling’ for the IHGS. For me, that story was about our former family business, H.A.Walne Ltd. The story describes how it evolved from earlier companies, and how itContinue reading “Framlingham Corn Merchants”
- It looks different around hereIt sure does! I’m so busy with life, children, and my book project that my blog has been neglected in recent years. To the point where I almost took my site down altogether. However, back in the day, I usedContinue reading “It looks different around here”
- Reclaim Jane (February 2022)What happens if you cast aside the carefully referenced report and try and fill the gaps left by the records? Reclaim Jane is an attempt to find the woman behind the snippets of archival evidence.
Elizabeth Walne's Your Local History 