The Heritage Chest
The Ultimate Archival Heirloom
The Heritage Chest is a six week journey into your ancestry, resulting in a beautifully-curated book that tells the story of your family with depth and clarity. Every ancestor is placed back into their world through their homes, trades, churches, local news, food, surroundings and the events that shaped their lives. With photographs, maps, newspaper clippings and carefully written narrative, this is family history presented as a living, breathing story.
What's Included In Your Gift Box:
Physical (professionally printed gloss-cover magazine printed with quality 150-200gsm paper)
Photographs of ancestors' home towns, taken as close to the period in which they lived there as possible
Newspaper clippings referencing your ancestors and their businesses
A second-hand novel which is reminiscent of an ancestor's time period, location or profession
*As this is a physical product, it is only eligible for UK delivery*
While the resources we use offer world-class records for Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand and other former British Colonies, they often have 'blind spots' for Southeast Asia, Middle East, Japan, Korea and Central & Northern Africa.
1. Instant Access: Your Welcome Pack
Immediately after checkout, you will receive a digital Welcome Pack PDF. This guide provides an in-depth look at our research methodology, how we amalgamate historical data with your family narrative, and a clear timeline of the weeks ahead.
2. The Inquiry Email
Within a few minutes of purchase, you will receive a personal email from info@theheritagemapco.com. This is where our detective work begins. We will ask you to fill in our Discovery Brief form to share as much family history (written or verbal) as you currently know.
3. The Foundation (What we need from you)
To ensure the most comprehensive results, we recommend providing names, approximate birth dates, and known locations for all four grandparents. These four pillars allow us to cast the widest net possible into the archives.
4. Weekly Investigative Briefs
You won't be left in the dark. Every week, you will receive a Discovery Update via email. We will share new findings, explain current developments in your lineage, and - where necessary - ask for further clarification or details to help us bypass historical "brick walls."
1. The Four Pillars (Recommended)
For the best possible results and a balanced tree, we recommend providing the full names, approximate birth dates, and known locations for all four of your grandparents. If you are missing one, don't worry—but having all four allows us to research all branches of your family simultaneously.
2. Family Lore & Verbal History
Names on paper are only half the story. We want the "whispers," too.
Did a Great-Aunt mention a relative who "ran away to sea"?
Is there a family legend about a specific village in Ireland or a shop owned in London? Even if you aren't sure it's true, these details help us verify records and add "colour" to your Narrative.
3. Known Dates & Locations
The more specific you can be, the further back we can go.
Dates: Birth, marriage, or death years (even decades help!).
Locations: Towns, counties, or even specific street addresses from old letters or envelopes.
4. Scans of Existing Documents (Optional but Helpful)
If you already have a dusty birth certificate, a military draft card, or an old family Bible entry, a quick photo or scan of these can save days of "foundation" research, allowing us to spend more time digging for new information you don't already have.
5. Active Communication
Because this is a "live" research project, your input is valuable. When we send your Weekly Update, we may ask for a quick clarification on a name or a date. A prompt response ensures your research residency stays on schedule and avoids "brick walls."
A Heritage Map Co. "Pro-Tip":
Don't feel pressured to have a perfect "tree" before you start. If all you have is a handful of names and a few old stories, that is exactly why you are hiring a professional. We take your "breadcrumbs" and turn them into a map.
Returns & Research Guarantee
The Nature of Genealogical Research
At The Heritage Map Co. you are commissioning a dedicated 4-6 week residency of professional archival research. Please understand that genealogy is dependent on the existence and survival of historical records. Due to historical events such as courthouse fires, record gaps, or lost archives, certain branches of a lineage may be more difficult to trace than others.
No Refunds on Research Time
Because you are paying for the professional hours dedicated to your search, we do not offer refunds based on the "results" of the research. Even if a specific record cannot be found, you will receive a comprehensive report (The Lineage Archive) detailing the exhaustive search paths taken and the historical context of the era.
Bespoke & Custom Goods
All products are custom-built and tailored exclusively to your specific family history. As these items are unique to you and cannot be resold, we do not accept returns or exchanges. While we do not offer refunds, we are committed to excellence. If there is a physical defect in a printed item (such as damage during shipping), please contact us within 48 hours of receipt, and we will move quickly to rectify the error or replace the damaged item.