Chief Researcher

You deserve the best research for your family. We provide that through our Chief Researcher, Jim Thornhill, who leads the research team at Heroes of the Past. Jim’s life journey prepared him for a career in genealogy, the profession of researching family histories, even though he didn’t realize it was happening! Jim earned two masters degrees, which taught him how to research, how to judge whether something said was true and accurate, and how to organize results in a way that would please some finicky professors! Along the way, he joined Toastmasters, the non-profit leadership and speaking group, and became proficient at preparing presentations and public speaking.

Jim had plenty of research experience, all that was left was to learn Family History. Jim had been researching his own family intermittently since 2002, but in 2017 decided to make Genealogy a career. He began studying Family History in earnest, learning the numerous sources specific to the field and attending as many educational opportunities as time would allow. Here’s some of the education Jim brings to his research:

Using the writing skills he developed while obtaining advanced degrees, Jim is a regular contributor to Stirpes, the journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society. His writing skill was recognized when he won first place as a Professional Writer.

Our Priorities

When asked about his priorities when researching and writing, he said they are simple. First, make sure our client is getting maximum value for what they pay. Second, the findings must be true and accurate and based on sound research. The third is to use every tool available to tell our clients not just when and where their ancestors lived, but to give them as much detail and context about the lives they led as we p0ssibly can.

If research on your family should require visiting an on site repository in a distant location, after consulting with you Jim will choose an experienced researcher from a nationwide research team, his network of professional genealogists. That researcher will gather the necessary information and report back to us, which will be included in our overall findings. We will find your ancestors no matter where they lived!