I’m Graham Birrell, a bit of a history fanatic
The history work I do in the Bureau falls into three main categories – property and family histories for individual clients; historical events for wider groups of people; and research commissions from organisations.
I am a highly experienced and qualified historian and after a long career working in universities, mainly spent teaching people to teach history in schools, I set up The History Bureau to use the knowledge, skills and love I have for the subject for as many people as possible. It’s fair to say I really love pretty much anything to do with history. From the big ticket items like Presidents or Prime Ministers, to the working conditions of laundresses in Victorian Suffolk, I find it all endlessly interesting. It’s fantastic to help people with their historical projects and put my expertise to great use, often providing answers to questions they thought would always remain a mystery.
Graham in the Bureau (aka the shed)
Property and Family Histories
I can use all my historical skills and expertise to help you find out more about a much-loved building, such as a home or a business property, plus I am also an experienced family historian. My house history work has already led to two properties being awarded prestigious blue-plaques - could yours be next?
Some people simply don’t have the time to do it themselves and others have said to me they wouldn’t know where to start – in either case I can help you to learn more about who came before you in your family or where you live or work. These are usually in the form of beautiful coffee table books, but they can also be framed lists of residents, brochures, pamphlets….really, almost any form you think works best for you.
Helping people to understand the past lives of people who lived in their houses, or in knowing about generations of their families long past, brings incredible connections to those who came before us. It is really great to open windows into worlds that people thought would forever remain closed.
Examples of the books I produce for clients
History Events
These started as a means of sharing my love and passion for history (including some of its slightly darker aspects!), to as wide a number as possible. They also seek to put my two decades experience as an educator to some decent use! The events I run, such as ‘We the Jury’, are usually in the form of historical true crime events for small groups or for staff development sessions or away days for workplaces – however, I am also about to put on a one-man history show in my local theatre.
The events I run are designed to entertain people via incredible incidents from history, but also seek to be highly thought-provoking and to challenge people into reassessing not just the past, but also how life plays out in the present day. They don’t involve anything like dressing-up or acting – I’ve been told they’re a great mix of entertainment and education.
My history events are excellent for groups of friends or family, but also work brilliantly for staff groups as they help teams to both bond and to understand the strength of working collegiately and valuing everyone’s contribution.
Book a place on one of my true-crime ‘We the Jury’ events - examine the same evidence presented at the original trial of an historical murder, before deciding whether the prime suspect is guilty or not guilty.
Historical Research
I have over twenty years of experience working as an academic and have a wealth of experience in researching and writing. I can put that to good use for you by helping you to investigate the historical background for things like bids, projects, brochures, guides and plans. If it involves history, there’s a good chance I can help.
I hope this has given you a good introduction to what I can do for you – do browse the different parts of the website to get some further details – but if you don’t find the answer please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Whether it is commissioning me to write about your house or attending one of my events, big or small my key aim is to use all my love, skills and knowledge of history to bring the past to life in all its incredibly glory – if you are interested in getting started, let’s do some history!
All the best,
Dr Graham Birrell
A little bit of my own family history - the 1929 ‘alien registration’ of my German great-grandfather