Who we are
We believe every period home deserves to have its story told with care, accuracy and artistry. Our team brings together years of experience in historical research, heritage writing and thoughtful presentation, working with homeowners who value heritage, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place.
Our approach is personal and collaborative. We work closely with each client, drawing together archival research, local context and the details that help bring a property’s past into focus.
The result is a carefully researched, elegantly written house story that deepens your connection to your home and to its place in the wider story of its village, town or landscape.
Since 2022, we have worked with homeowners across the UK to uncover the histories behind the houses they care so much about - and to take their place in the living story of these remarkable homes.
Rebecca Merrifield
FOUNDER
Rebecca is a historical researcher and house historian from Derbyshire with a background in marketing and copywriting, a postgraduate degree in historic building conservation and an advanced certificate in genealogical skills and strategies.
She worked in collections and records conservation for the National Trust and Findmypast, which fuelled a passion for discovering and telling the hidden stories of historic places, leading her to start Pursuing the Past in 2022.
Rebecca lives on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border and researches houses all over the UK.
‘The archives are my happy place - there’s nothing like discovering a house in a centuries-old record, knowing how much joy it will bring to the owner.’
Kelly Morrison
WRITER & HERITAGE SPECIALIST
Kelly is a writer, content curator and researcher from northeast Scotland, with a background in marketing and communications and a postgraduate degree in Heritage and Interpretation.
Her career has taken her to roles with the National Trust for Scotland and various academic research projects, all focused on connecting the past with the present. She is also an author, having written a wonderful companion guide to walking Aberdeenshire’s stunning Deeside Way.
‘Every location has a unique story. I’m fascinated by the sense of place - the layers of history, and the people who have shaped it.’
Alongside Rebecca and Kelly, our small team includes a talented and passionate group of researchers, writers, editors, designers and administrators who support us to produce your house histories, present them beautifully and deliver them on time.
In the media
