The Dead Sleuth

  • Home
  • The Dead Sleuth

The Dead Sleuth Ancestral Hawkshaw. Research Fiend and Genealogist for Hire Sleuthing YORK and Beyond. Sometime Speaker and Storyteller. THE – determiner. DEAD – adjective. Hello!

Jobbing Grave Hunter as THE GRAVEYARD SQUIRREL. Denoting a person that is already or about to be mentioned. No longer alive. SLEUTH – noun. A person who investigates mysteries. Is there a mystery within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family history tree? Are you intrigued or perplexed about the history of your ancestors? Or are you in search of that final resting place of an ancestor within Yorkshire and beyond? My name is Tee and I am your genealogist, writer, and grave hunter here at 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, Yorkshire and beyond – I work 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. And as every research commission is as unique as the person who is requesting it – I offer a FREE initial thirty minute consultation to ensure that I am the perfect sleuth for my client. 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. And, if I’m not 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 – I’ll be wandering among the tombstones somewhere with notebook and camera in hand. As a enthusiastic taphophile with an interest in tombstone symbolism – I also undertake grave hunts 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 I can also research, and photograph the surrounding vicinity in which an ancestor rests. I share the tales and triumphs of family history and of my wanderings among the tombstones in search of the unquiet dead as THE GRAVEYARD SQUIRREL. I am also a public speaker and am happy to chat with eager ears and curious minds about the tales of Victorian criminality, tombstone tourism, sleuthing those elusive ancestors and fallen women. Passionate about the benefits of Ancestral Healing – I also work alongside those who are seeking to understand, reveal and free inherited grief and trauma from their family histories. And with my love of family history, storytelling and Victorian crime – I am the founder of THE POLITE TOURIST which offers unique walks through the unquiet streets of York, Scarboro’, Leeds and beyond. You can find me at the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Genealogical Speakers Guild. See YOU on the other side?

Is there a mystery within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family tree?Are you intrigued or perplexed ab...
01/10/2025

Is there a mystery within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family tree?

Are you intrigued or perplexed about the history of your ancestors?

Hello! My name is Tee and I am your genealogist, and grave hunter here at 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.

Curious much?

🔍

Trawling through the parish registers in search of an elusive betrothal within the City of York is not proving to be an ...
25/09/2025

Trawling through the parish registers in search of an elusive betrothal within the City of York is not proving to be an easy task this morning.

Thank goodness help is at hand in the form of something delicious to comfort me during my sleuthing hour of need.

Still Sleuthing 🔍

P.S. A word of reassurance. Those betrothal registers are paper copies and NOT the real deal! 😉

🔍

School's OUT!In the SEPTEMBER publication of  - I muse upon memories of my school days, the history of educational legis...
09/09/2025

School's OUT!

In the SEPTEMBER publication of - I muse upon memories of my school days, the history of educational legislation, and the controversial antics of the clergyman of Boston Spa who would trigger the Victorian equivalent of a viral internet phenomenon in the year 1877.

🔍

A little early morning tombstone appreciation before I resume my desk and kettle duties inside the bustling research roo...
04/09/2025

A little early morning tombstone appreciation before I resume my desk and kettle duties inside the bustling research room for York Family History Society

And, if you have ancestors to sleuth, you can find me at the RAYLOR CENTRE in the heart of YORK at YO10 3DW.

I vanish at 4pm.

⚰ Parish Church of St Denys. York. UK.

🔍

It all began with a letter in February 1822 when William Gray (1751-1845) a pious and philanthropic attorney from the Ci...
01/09/2025

It all began with a letter in February 1822 when William Gray (1751-1845) a pious and philanthropic attorney from the City of York picked up the quill to pen a missive to the Editor of the Yorkshire Gazette.

Mindful of the need to rescue and reform the legions of young women forced to sell their bodies on the busy streets of this bustling city, Gray began a Victorianesque crowdfounder to establish a penitentiary.

Although it would take a few years before the doors of the York Penitentiary in Bishophill would open, and Gray died shortly after - it all began with a letter.

HAPPY LETTER WRITING DAY!

🔍 York Explore Library and Archive

Thursday. The view from my world as I find myself lost among the long forgotten dead of the Parish of Micklegate in York...
28/08/2025

Thursday. The view from my world as I find myself lost among the long forgotten dead of the Parish of Micklegate in York.

What a day to be alive!

Still Sleuthing 🔍 Family History Society

🔍

“History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy remembers them all.' ~ Laurence Overmire.If you need someone by your s...
18/08/2025

“History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy remembers them all.' ~ Laurence Overmire.

If you need someone by your side as you navigate your exciting genealogical journey - Tee is at hand!

Why not cast your eye over the Research Services on offer at deadsleuth.com or drop Tee a line or three at tee@deadsleuth.com

🔍

Whenever I wind my way to the archives - the determined gaze of the University of York's great benefactor Raymond Montag...
15/08/2025

Whenever I wind my way to the archives - the determined gaze of the University of York's great benefactor Raymond Montague Burton (1921-2011) is there to greet me.

With a passion for exotic motor cars, philanthropy and an advocate of environmental farming - Burton was the driving force behind the successful clothing empire Burton Group which included the iconic high street stores Dorothy Perkins and Top Shop.

A decorated war veteran who studied for an MBA at Harvard, Burton was awarded the CBE in recognition of his support for the Jewish Museum in London.

Born in Leeds, Burton died at the age of 93 at his home in South Africa.

Legend has it that he was reluctant to have this prestigious library named in his honour but the powers that be would eventually prevail.

📸 The Raymond Burton Library for Humanities Research

🔍

As I have been reliably informed that today is CODE TALKER'S DAY - what do YOU see?Interwined among these random squiggl...
14/08/2025

As I have been reliably informed that today is CODE TALKER'S DAY - what do YOU see?

Interwined among these random squiggles are the passionate declarations of a young Scottish gentlewoman MADELEINE HAMILTON SMITH (1835-1928) to her older lover one PIERRE EMILE L'ANGELIER in 1856.

Despite the promise of marriage, Madeleine came to regret her scandalous relationship with L'Angelier and after his refusal to return her letters - she went in search of arsenic.

By the month of March in the year 1857, L'Angelier was dead from the effects of poison and the respectable Miss. Smith was charged with his murder.

📸 Mitchell Library. Glasgow. Scotland.

🔍

Is there a mystery within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family tree?Are you intrigued or perplexed ab...
13/08/2025

Is there a mystery within those gnarled branches and fallen leaves of your family tree?

Are you intrigued or perplexed about the history of your ancestors?

Felicitations curious reader - my name is Tee and I am your genealogist, and grave hunter here at 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.

Why not take a peek at what I can do for you at deadsleuth.com?

🔍

Today commemorates the death of Marilyn Monroe at the age of 36 - actor, effervescent beauty, arguably one of THE most f...
04/08/2025

Today commemorates the death of Marilyn Monroe at the age of 36 - actor, effervescent beauty, arguably one of THE most famous icon of all time and whose mysterious death from 'Probable Su***de' on Sunday August 5 1962 begat a cottage industry of conspiracy theorists.

Fortunately for MM supporters - the Monroe historian, researcher and author Gary Vitacco-Robles has been brave enough to take them on.

🔍

Even though I have been haunting the archives since my teenage years - they are still one of THE most exciting places to...
04/08/2025

Even though I have been haunting the archives since my teenage years - they are still one of THE most exciting places to visit when I’m in pursuit of those elusive ancestors!

And if you would like The Dead Sleuth to haunt an archive on your behalf within the City of York, throughout Yorkshire or beyond -

Drop me a line at tee@deadsleuth.com or cast your eye over the Research Services on offer at deadsleuth.com.

Still sleuthing? Absolutely!

🔍

Address


Website

https://graveyardsquirrel.com/, https://teetomb.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Dead Sleuth posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Dead Sleuth:

  • Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram