
Professional Genealogy | Family Trees | Archival Research
Kate Healy BA (Hons) History
Hello, my name is Kate, a professional genealogist and family historian based in Hollywood, Worcestershire, West Midlands.
Having gained my degree in history and with a passion for genealogy, I have been researching family trees for over 30 years, a journey that has taken me all over the UK and back to Birmingham.
After a rewarding career in the RAF, I decided to turn my passion into a profession, by helping other people research into their family history. As a student with the Institute for Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS), I have been able to enhance and develop my skills.
As an AGRA associate (Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives), I am bound by their code of conduct. I am also an associate member of the Society of Genealogists and member of Midland Ancestors formerly ‘The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry’. I offer a range of services, from packages researching particular lines and constructing a family tree, research into a particular person or family mystery, archive look up services and general advice.
I am situated just outside Birmingham, which is conveniently placed to visit all major archives across the West Midlands, especially in the areas of Worcester, Warwick, Stafford and Birmingham. I can carry out research throughout the country and I am willing to travel to the National Archives in London. If requested, I can travel further afield for more in-depth research.
I have recently been lucky to contribute family history research to the true crime podcast ‘Bad Women’ now available on BBC sounds. Please follow the link to listen.
My belief is that all family histories have a story to tell. I can help you discover more about your family tree, whether you are new to genealogy or are in need of a professional genealogist.
Please contact me, I hope to hear from you soon. Kate.

Claire Dykta2025-03-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently asked Oakwood family trees to research my family line after attempting, and failing, to do it myself several times over recent years. I am absolutely delighted with the result - we now have a very comprehensive and detailed family tree which includes much more information that I could possibly envisaged. It has even uncovered some surprises which have had the whole family talking! I gifted the family tree to my mum for Mother’s Day and can safely safe it is the best gift she has ever had. Thank you Kate for the care and attention you have taken in compiling this for us huiyi qian2024-08-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am a Chinese architect studying the relationship between Birmingham Mint and Canton Mint. Kate has been gathering archival sources for me in Birmingham Library. She is super professional, devoted and efficient in her work. I strongly recommend her! Julie Tyler2024-03-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Recently Oakwood Family Trees produced a family tree and research package for us along one surname of our family. The pack was extremely detailed including images of documents, timeline comparison of other events, a detailed tree, a write up of each person researched and their family. A delight to share with other members of the family, and amazing learning some of the characters in our ancestry. Highly recommended Kate is brilliant! Tamara Henriques2023-10-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It has been the most wonderful experience to have Kathryn Healy of Oakwood Family Trees researching my mother's background. We learnt so much and I highly recommend her. If you want to know anything about your family, don't hesitate - it has been so much fun! lisa stanway2023-05-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After my mum died I wanted to complete a family tree for her side of the family and was finding it difficult. I contacted Kate and was over whelmed with the end result. It even included copies of newspaper cuttings and photos. She was always responsive to emails and I now feel so much more connected to the side of the family that I knew very little about. I can thoroughly recommend her. Steve Nichols2023-02-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Having lost my Father when I was 9yrs, (55yrs ago) I only new names, no idea who these people were that visited and not knowing whether there were any of my Fathers family still alive today, Kate patiently, and with great dedication took me on amazing journey to actually now been able to meet up with my Dad's nieces who lived the other side of the city, fantastic job Kate, thank you. Christine Simm2023-01-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am researching the whaling ships which worked out of Bo'ness in the 18th and 19th century. I discovered one was partially owned by James Watt's (inventor of the steam engine) father and the documentation referring to the ownership was included in the James Watt papers in Birmingham Library. Living in Scotland this meant that they were not easily accessible. But I was interested to find out what they contained as James Watt had worked in Bo'ness for a period before moving south and there might be a previously unknown connecting reason why either James Watt or the ship had come to Bo'ness. I was delighted to find Kathryn Healy, living in the vicinity, who was willing to go and scan all the relevant documents saving me the hassle of travelling and doing the work myself during a period of such uncertainty when there were so many threatened strikes and shutdowns. I now only have the job of transcribing all the paperwork and seeing what light it sheds on an industry which was extremely important in its day both to the town and the country in general. Mark Rowe2022-12-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found Kate incredibly helpful with my family tree. She took some basic details and has managed to trace back on both sides to the mid 1800s! I couldn't have done it without her and I'm really impressed by what she managed to find out. It's not just a simple tree it includes all the info you could want to do with the stories of your relatives and links to newspaper articles, photos etc. Would 100% recommend Oakwood Family Trees to anyone looking for help with their own family past. Hisham2021-08-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent , honest and reliable service offered and delivered in accordance to our agreed schedule. Kate is well-familiar with the archives at The Library of Birmingham; I highly recommend her service. E C McGee2021-07-19Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate has been gathering archival sources for me over the past few months. She is forensic in her searches, super efficient, and very responsive to emails. I am delighted to recommend her!