Tee Among the Tombstones and Grave Hunter for Hire. Sleuthing YORK and Beyond.
‘What is this Death? – a quiet of the heart?
The whole of that of which we are a part?
~ Lord Byron
Among the Tombstones with Tee.
A Seeker of the Elusive Dead and Wanderer of Unquiet Graveyards – One Ancestor at a Time.
Ancestral Hawkshaw. Research Fiend and Genealogist for Hire.
Sleuthing YORK and Beyond.
Sometime Speaker. Storyteller and Grave Hunter.
Tee’s Sleuthing Persona is THE DEAD SLEUTH.
See YOU on the Other Side?
Have you ever heard the one about how there are only two things that are certain to us?
The first one being that we are all subject to some form of taxation and the second is that one day we WILL all die.
And if Tee is not in search of a missing ancestor or researching another life long lost to history – she will be poring over the details on a newly discovered certificate of death or trawling through the parish records in search of a burial entry.
The location of the final resting place of those from Tee’s research endeavours has always been an important task as the final piece of the ancestral jigsaw.
However, if you struggle with the thought of death – Tee’s world is probably NOT for you!
As Tee loves nothing more than a ramble through a graveyard and she has been pottering among the tombstones for as long as she can remember – join this genealogist and grave hunter as she shares the tales and triumphs of her wanderings among the dead.
The author Lailah Gifty Akita once said that – “The graveyard is an everlasting home of every man” and within most of our cemeteries there is evidence of spectacular craftsmanship, awe inspiring stonework, history, sublime words of poignancy and the occasional flashes of humour ALL just waiting to be discovered!
See YOU on the other side?
For all of those tales from the archives, ancestor gossip AND whispers from an unquiet graveyard with The Dead Sleuth – sign up for THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT AND bring forth EVERY snippet of chatter direct to your inbox!
From surgeons, soldiers, babes in arms, to gentlemen and glaziers with their lives rich in detail and set in stone – many of their stories have yet to be revealed.
Lady Byron was laid to rest at Kensal Green Cemetery London in May 1860 and despite the incorrect spelling of her first name – her simple and elegant grave can be discovered in the shadow of the enormous Dissenter’s Chapel.
FROM SLEUTH TO SOLOPRENEUR is the cautionary tale of a company founder and tombstone tourist wandering unquiet graveyards, and the errors and trials of sleuthing family history.
Are you intrigued about YORKSHIRE GENEALOGY or researching FAMILY HISTORY?
Do you have a fascination for CEMETERIES and are curious about just WHO LIES BENEATH?
Have you ever heard the one about how there are only two things that are certain to us? The first one being that we are all subject to some form of taxation and the second is that one day we WILL all die.
As a child, ’tis true that I loved to shock others with the tale that I had been abandoned at birth by gypsies and raised with kindly mice in the crypt of an old church…
“If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.”
~ Bernard Shaw
Is there a mystery, or a riddle or even an absurdity within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family history tree?
Are you intrigued or perplexed about your ancestors?
Or are you in search of that final resting place of an ancestor within Yorkshire or beyond?
With access to the local repositories and archives throughout Yorkshire and beyond – Tee loves working with those who wish to solve the mysteries of their family history.
As a professional genealogist with an interest in tombstone symbolism – Tee could be just THE family history sleuth you need by your side.
THE – determiner.
Denoting a person that is already or about to be mentioned.
DEAD – adjective.
No longer alive.
SLEUTH – noun.
A person who investigates mysteries.
Is there a mystery within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family tree?
Or are you in search of that final resting place of an ancestor within Yorkshire and beyond?
Welcome to the world of Tee – a professional botherer of the dead, and founder of The Dead Sleuth.
The Dead Sleuth is a registered company located in the City of York offering professional genealogical services for those looking to solve the riddles and absurdities of their own family history.
With access to a wealth of local repositories and archives throughout York, and beyond – Tee works with those who need an experienced and dedicated history sleuth by their side as they embark on a fascinating journey to uncover the lives of their ancestors.
From genealogical advice, family history research, probate transcription, archive retrieval, to photography, lineage reports and ancestral storytelling – The Dead Sleuth offers a rich menu of research services.
~ George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
As every research commission is as unique as the person who is requesting it – an initial FREE thirty minute consultation by Zoom, Whatsapp, or telephone is offered to ensure that Tee is the perfect sleuth to undertake any research of your behalf.
If, after the initial consultation you wish to work with Tee – a written proposal including confirmation of the research as discussed and an estimate of the charges involved will be drafted for your consideration.
From the initial proposal to the completion of your research commission – Tee will encourage you to share your thoughts, and observations throughout every stage of the process.
Tee’s collaborative approach is to ensure that her research report(s) will surpass your expectations.
The research report(s) with any and all electronic attachment(s) will be sent to you by email.
However, if you do not have access to email and/or would prefer to receive any research report(s) with copies of any and all attachment(s) by post – Tee is happy to oblige.
To consult with Tee about genealogy and sleuthing your family history, or chat about her research in progress, make an enquiry concerning her diary of upcoming talks and walks or to book a TEE TALK – sign the guest book below:
The Dead Sleuth also offers bespoke ancestral tours for visitors who are curious about understanding their family history in the context of location and would love to walk in the footsteps of an ancestor, visit the place they once called home or stand at the foot of their grave in a quiet churchyard.
As a public speaker, Tee is happy to chat with eager ears and curious minds about her tales of Victorian criminality, tombstone tourism, sleuthing those elusive ancestors and fallen women.
Passionate about the benefits of Ancestral Healing – Tee also works alongside those who are seeking to understand, reveal and free inherited grief and trauma from their family histories.
And with this love of family history, storytelling and Victorian crime – Tee is the founder of The Polite Tourist which offers unique walks through the unquiet streets of York, Scarboro’, and beyond.
And should Tee not be in search of a missing ancestor or poring over the details on a newly discovered death certificate or trawling through the parish records in search of a burial entry – she will be wandering among the tombstones somewhere with notebook and camera in hand.
As a enthusiastic taphophile with an interest in tombstone symbolism – Tee can undertake a grave hunt with the use of parish records and newspapers as the location and image capture of the resting place of our ancestors can be a poignant piece of the jigsaw.
In the absence of a marked grave, Tee can research and photograph the surrounding vicinity in which an ancestor rests.
However, as every research commission is as unique as the person who is requesting it – Tee offers an initial FREE thirty minute consultation to ensure that she is the perfect sleuth for her client.
‘Meticulous Research’
“‘To say that I am very impressed with Tee’s sleuthing into my family history would be an understatement!
Enthusiastic and friendly – her meticulous research, passion for the craft and attention to detail is incredible.
And that she was was also able to find AND photograph an ancestral grave I had long believed to have been lost was simply amazing’
Christine W.
Yorkshire. United Kingdom.
‘Skilled Professional’
‘As publicity and events coordinator for York Family History Society it was my good fortune to meet Tee on an open day at York cemetery.
She took time to guide me effortlessly to the unmarked grave of my lost grandfather. Her knowledge of the place is without equal.
She is a truly skilled professional – one of those key figures in York that people defer to if engaged in family history or local history research notably of the Victorian period.”
Steve B.
York. United Kingdom.
The brilliant and inspirational author Lailah Gifty Akita once wrote that “The graveyard is the ever lasting home of every man” and nestled in the shadow of the quaint St Stephen’s Parish Church of Acomb in York with its decoration of Tadcaster limestone, a wealth of stained glass and the fish topped weather vane perched upon the steeple – a beautifully tranquil churchyard awaits the curious visitor.
Although a haven for the preservation of wildlife under the care of the Eco Church Team – there is also much to delight any tombstone tourist who loves nothing more that whiling an hour or so wandering around a local graveyard.
A passionate taphophile or grave hunter since her teenage years – St Stephen’s Churchyard remains a favourite with Tee – not only because it is the place where her beloved grandparents now rest but also for the diverse array of tombstones and monuments erected in tribute to those long-forgotten folk for whom this fascinating place remains their everlasting home.
‘If you don’t know your history, then you don’t know anything.
You are a leaf that doesn’t know its part of a tree.’
~ Michael Crichton
‘WE are who we ARE because THEY were who they WERE.’
~ Unknown
‘Professional to THE core. Her work uncovering my family history was flawless and beautifully presented.
AND she is one of the nicest genealogists to work with too!’
Katherine K – USA
‘Ever the detective – Tee’s discoveries about some of the lost members of my family have been truly amazing.
Tee’s understanding, knowledge of genealogy and enthusiasm for family history is incredible and I would love to work with her again!
JEAN T – YORK
