ABOUT ME
My interest in house history started as a child when every weekend my mum would take me to a beautiful old National Trust home, or an English Heritage Castle. She would narrate the story of each room to me and I would go home and pour over the pictures in the guidebooks, making up stories about the past owners, imaging ghosts haunting the galleries and wondering how old the beautiful Japanese wall paper walls and how it got all the way to England.
I loved history at school, although slightly lamented that we had to learn dates and figures and study war all the time when I wanted to know about the buildings, the architecture and the people who lived there. I was more interested in Hampton Court Palace and the secret rooms and passages, than the Battle of Waterloo, and teaching history in Secondary schools had me reenacting village scenes from the plague and period dances of the 17th century, much to the horror of the head of department!
I have spent many years researching the homes that I have lived in, as well as friends homes and our own family history. I hold an M.Litt in Family, Local and Social History from the University of Dundee, and I am a Qualified Genealogist. I am also a qualified History, Music and Drama teacher and explore history through the arts and writing, creating new plays based on historical people, places and events for young performers. I believe passionately in bringing history to life through the arts and practical workshops and can offer workshops for children as well as family history workshops to engage young people.
I'm currently researching the history of Montpelier Row in Twickenham - a beautiful 18th century terrace built by Captain John Gray in 1720. My other project is a row of nineteenth century cottages in Virginia Water which were home to the Butler and Under Butler of the Countess de Morello from Wentworth.
I have written a short guide to starting your own house history and this can be found in a number of museums in Surrey and Middlesex including Twickenham, Egham, Godalming, Haslemere, East Surrey, Farnham and Chobham.
I very much look forward to going on this great journey of discovery with you to find the secrets of your home.
Emma McCauley Tinniswood BA (Hons), P.Cert, QTS, M.Litt, QG
Member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists
I loved history at school, although slightly lamented that we had to learn dates and figures and study war all the time when I wanted to know about the buildings, the architecture and the people who lived there. I was more interested in Hampton Court Palace and the secret rooms and passages, than the Battle of Waterloo, and teaching history in Secondary schools had me reenacting village scenes from the plague and period dances of the 17th century, much to the horror of the head of department!
I have spent many years researching the homes that I have lived in, as well as friends homes and our own family history. I hold an M.Litt in Family, Local and Social History from the University of Dundee, and I am a Qualified Genealogist. I am also a qualified History, Music and Drama teacher and explore history through the arts and writing, creating new plays based on historical people, places and events for young performers. I believe passionately in bringing history to life through the arts and practical workshops and can offer workshops for children as well as family history workshops to engage young people.
I'm currently researching the history of Montpelier Row in Twickenham - a beautiful 18th century terrace built by Captain John Gray in 1720. My other project is a row of nineteenth century cottages in Virginia Water which were home to the Butler and Under Butler of the Countess de Morello from Wentworth.
I have written a short guide to starting your own house history and this can be found in a number of museums in Surrey and Middlesex including Twickenham, Egham, Godalming, Haslemere, East Surrey, Farnham and Chobham.
I very much look forward to going on this great journey of discovery with you to find the secrets of your home.
Emma McCauley Tinniswood BA (Hons), P.Cert, QTS, M.Litt, QG
Member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists