About Us
meet the historymakers
History In The Making was created in 1996 by two Scottish history enthusiasts: Anne and Grant Simpson. Now with three more historymakers on the team, we provide a wide range of services. As you’ll see in the way we work, we don’t just find out the facts; we provide a wealth of interpretation for almost every situation, going into whatever level of depth is required. Thanks to our vast experience, we know how to present it in just the right way for academics, tourists or any other type of audience.
The Partners
Anne Simpson
Anne Simpson established History in the Making in 1996 in partnership with her husband, Grant. She is passionate about history and likes looking for patterns, stories and meanings. Anne enjoys connecting with clients and their interests, experiences and aspirations. Through writing and interpretation she looks for new ways to pique people's curiosity and capture their attention.
Her first 'proper job' was as a research assistant with Professor Leslie Alcock at the Department of Archaeology, Glasgow University, and there she jointly published over 50 archaeological/ historical surveys of medieval Scottish burghs. Her final 'proper job' was curator of collections at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. She had the good sense to marry the best proof-reader she has ever met!
Grant Simpson
Glasgow-born Grant Simpson attended Mosspark Primary School and Hutcheson Boy's Grammar School. He received his first degree in History from Glasgow University and his PhD in History from Edinburgh University. His formative years were spent as an archivist at Register House in Edinburgh before taking up a post as lecturer (later Reader) in Scottish History at the University of Aberdeen. He is a Fellow of the Societies of Antiquaries of Scotland and of London and was a member of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland for 16 years.
Grant is warm, diligent, authoritative and a fiend for detail! In his writing and presentations he enthusiastically conveys the constant discoveries that history can present to clients. His broad experience includes writing a book, currently being reprinted by Birlinn, on the subject of transcription and translating historical documents, Scottish Handwriting: An Introduction to the Reading of Documents: 1150-1650.
The Associates
Trevor Chalmers
At the tender age of nine, Trevor was correcting guides on tours of castles in Aberdeenshire and elsewhere, but somehow survived to learn some social skills modifying this obnoxious precocity!
He received an MA and a PhD from Aberdeen University before training as an archivist, a career he followed for thirteen years in what is now the National Archives, London. Currently he works as a freelance developer of databases, mostly for historical research. He also develops records of the analogue variety i.e. those on paper or parchment – specializing in medieval transcription and translation. He has also tackled graphics projects, mainly cartoons, and drew the illustrations for a couple of books.
Joy Crockart
Joy is a history graduate of Aberdeen University with a professional background in marketing, PR, and sales - and a lifelong interest in genealogy. She is especially familiar with the population records kept in Scotland, and has a knack for following the threads of family relationships back in time through the thickets of similar names and variable spelling standards. Her engaging and pleasant persona also makes her a real 'people person' when acting as a guide to others, either as a mentor or as a tour leader. Joy is a fifth generation descendant of local paper mill workers but was born overseas and so is well able to relate to people for whom English is not a first language. She also has a strong interest in the performing arts, and is an accomplished costume-maker for theatre productions both modern and historical.
Irene Van Kuyk
Irene became interested in genealogy through her son's homework project over 25 years ago and was 'hooked.'
Never content with names and dates, she seeks to put 'flesh on the bones' and finding the unexpected continues to surprise her – whilst living in Singapore a chance remark by her father lead to a great-uncle's grave in Kranji War Memorial and, similarly, when moving to the West Country she discovered her ancestors had once owned parts of North Devon. 'If only the wealth had stayed in the family!' Irene is strong on English and Welsh family history records.
Get in touch now and start making history!
