Family History Films is the world’s first and leading private legacy documentary company.

Since 2017 we have delivered a fully-managed service which produces beautiful, bespoke and private feature length documentaries which we research in-depth for our clients.

In addition to our films, we offer exquisitely produced hardback books and comprehensive archiving services. These ensure that your family's history is meticulously documented, preserved and beautifully presented - creating a treasured heirloom for future generations.

Films

Books

Archive

Read more about our projects on our blog here.

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Contact us:

+1 888 690 0840 (North America)

+44 (208) 798 3267 (UK / Europe)

““From the opening moments through the final credits (and bloopers) the entire family was glued to the screen. It was thrilling for all.””
— FAMILY HISTORY FILMS' 2023 CLIENT

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Did you know pigeons were once used to carry vital messages during wartime? One of the most remarkable was G.I. Joe, hatched in Algeria in 1943 and trained in New Jersey. During WWII, he flew 20 miles in just 20 minutes to deliver a message that pre
Did you know pigeons were once used to carry vital messages during wartime? One of the most remarkable was G.I. Joe, hatched in Algeria in 1943 and trained in New Jersey. During WWII, he flew 20 miles in just 20 minutes to deliver a message that prevented an Allied airstrike on British troops in Calvi Vecchia, Italy, saving over 100 lives. For this feat, G.I. Joe was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry, praised as “the most outstanding flight made by a United States Army homing pigeon in World War II.” He became the first non-British recipient of the medal.
Our Head of Production, Jess, is behind the mic today recording some voice over for a special new project - watch this space!
Our Head of Production, Jess, is behind the mic today recording some voice over for a special new project - watch this space!
Behind the scenes from our second day of filming in New Hampshire, uncovering the surprising truth behind some long-held family rumors…
Behind the scenes from our second day of filming in New Hampshire, uncovering the surprising truth behind some long-held family rumors…
We’ve just completed our first day of filming in New Hampshire, starting with a series of biographical interviews at our client’s home, followed by career-focused conversations at the company they founded. Tomorrow, we’ll turn our
We’ve just completed our first day of filming in New Hampshire, starting with a series of biographical interviews at our client’s home, followed by career-focused conversations at the company they founded. Tomorrow, we’ll turn our attention to the family’s history, exploring long-standing questions about their ancestors and how they came to be where they are today.
That’s a wrap in Toronto! Our team spent the final day filming B-roll in and around the city, capturing footage of sites that hold significance for our clients. We can’t wait to bring it altogether in the final film.
That’s a wrap in Toronto! Our team spent the final day filming B-roll in and around the city, capturing footage of sites that hold significance for our clients. We can’t wait to bring it altogether in the final film.
A few BTS snaps from a successful first filming day in Toronto! Today, project lead Matilda shared some meaningful research with our clients about their roots in the city, alongside a stunning view of the Toronto skyline. We also digitised over a
A few BTS snaps from a successful first filming day in Toronto! Today, project lead Matilda shared some meaningful research with our clients about their roots in the city, alongside a stunning view of the Toronto skyline. We also digitised over a thousand family photographs leaving us scanning till the very last second!
Touchdown in Toronto! We spent our first day in T-Dot preparing for tomorrow’s filming, and exploring the city our clients call home. Can you spot the FHF representative getting to the heart of Toronto?
Touchdown in Toronto! We spent our first day in T-Dot preparing for tomorrow’s filming, and exploring the city our clients call home. Can you spot the FHF representative getting to the heart of Toronto?
A few years ago, we worked with a client whose father was a restless inventor in mid-century Ohio, at the heart of the American tire industry. Over his lifetime, he registered more than 30 patents, including one invention in particular that transform
A few years ago, we worked with a client whose father was a restless inventor in mid-century Ohio, at the heart of the American tire industry. Over his lifetime, he registered more than 30 patents, including one invention in particular that transformed driving forever: the radial tire machine. His design positioned the rubber plies perpendicular to the direction of travel, offering improved handling, traction, fuel efficiency, and tread life. The industry, however, was dominated by four major companies with enormous wealth and influence. He claimed they copied his invention and took them to court in a legal battle he was ultimately unable to afford, and subsequently lost. Despite the outcome, this innovation helped shape the future of motoring. By the early 1980s, radial tires were standard on all new cars in the United States.
One of our client’s great-great-grandparents immigrated to St. Donatus, Iowa from Luxembourg in the 1850s, when their newly independent country was struggling with overpopulation and economic change. But when they arrived, St. Donatus was know
One of our client’s great-great-grandparents immigrated to St. Donatus, Iowa from Luxembourg in the 1850s, when their newly independent country was struggling with overpopulation and economic change. But when they arrived, St. Donatus was known by another name, Têtes des Morts, meaning “Heads of the Dead.” In 1680, a missionary stumbled upon the valley and found it covered in human bones. According to local accounts, Chief Watumni of the Winnebago had fallen in love with the daughter of a Fox tribe chief. When Nita showed interest in another warrior, Watumni spit in her face. To defend her honor, the Fox tribe killed every member of the Winnebago. Some chose to leap to their deaths rather than be taken prisoner. To this day, locals speak of ghostly screams and war cries echoing through the night in the town, where the veil between the living and the dead supposedly runs thin.
In a year of new filming locations, next Thursday we’ll be heading to Toronto for the first time, home of the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Margaret Atwood. This trip marks the second part of client filming that began earlier this yea
In a year of new filming locations, next Thursday we’ll be heading to Toronto for the first time, home of the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Margaret Atwood. This trip marks the second part of client filming that began earlier this year in Puerto Rico. We’re excited to continue the journey and are looking forward to uncovering more family stories, in particular that of an architect ancestor who oversaw the planning and construction of many buildings throughout the city. Stay tuned for updates!
Pedestrianism was the Victorian sport of competitive long-distance walking. Thousands would gather to watch athletes test their endurance, with heavy betting riding on every step. In 1851, just a stone’s throw from our London offices in Vauxha
Pedestrianism was the Victorian sport of competitive long-distance walking. Thousands would gather to watch athletes test their endurance, with heavy betting riding on every step. In 1851, just a stone’s throw from our London offices in Vauxhall, the Oval cricket ground staged one of pedestrianism’s biggest spectacles. Richard Manks attempted to walk 1,000 miles in 100 days - quite the feat for a Victorian athlete in hobnailed boots. The event drew huge crowds and gave the Oval the publicity that helped it become the world’s first for-profit sports venue.
Our latest blog is live! This week marks 80 years since V-J Day, the moment Japan’s surrender finally brought WWII to an end. In this post, we share some of the incredible stories we’ve helped preserve: a family forced to flee China, a
Our latest blog is live! This week marks 80 years since V-J Day, the moment Japan’s surrender finally brought WWII to an end. In this post, we share some of the incredible stories we’ve helped preserve: a family forced to flee China, a grandfather imprisoned in Hong Kong, and a Red Cross volunteer who went on to defend war crimes trials in Japan. These powerful accounts shine a light on the brutality of war, but also on the resilience, sacrifice, and quiet heroism of ordinary people in extraordinary times. Read it now on our website.
On June 1st, 1943, BOAC Flight 777 was shot down by the Luftwaffe on its way from Lisbon to Bristol. Everyone aboard was killed, including actor Leslie Howard. But Howard hadn’t been meant to fly that day. He had taken the seat of a US Naval In
On June 1st, 1943, BOAC Flight 777 was shot down by the Luftwaffe on its way from Lisbon to Bristol. Everyone aboard was killed, including actor Leslie Howard. But Howard hadn’t been meant to fly that day. He had taken the seat of a US Naval Intelligence officer: our client’s ancestor. This ancestor was stationed in London during the Second World War, at the height of the Blitz, and had been specially trained at Harvard to become a spy. He worked at the US Embassy on top-secret wartime projects.The full extent of his missions remained a secret, even from his family.
The Wyoming Massacre was one of the darkest chapters of American history. On July 3, 1778, a force of American Loyalists and their Native American allies descended on Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Hundreds of settlers were killed, with their
The Wyoming Massacre was one of the darkest chapters of American history. On July 3, 1778, a force of American Loyalists and their Native American allies descended on Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Hundreds of settlers were killed, with their homes and farms destroyed. The survivors fled, including the ancestors of one of our clients… With children as young as eight, they escaped and walked nearly 200 miles through three states to return to their former home in Connecticut. It is always remarkable to uncover the strife that families endured, and to see how their perseverance helped shape the generations that followed.
We once uncovered that a client’s ancestor fought at the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolutionary War. On August 16, 1777, American forces under General John Stark clashed with a detachment of British, German, and Loyalist troops
We once uncovered that a client’s ancestor fought at the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolutionary War. On August 16, 1777, American forces under General John Stark clashed with a detachment of British, German, and Loyalist troops near Bennington, Vermont. The result was decisive, with nearly 900 enemy soldiers killed, wounded, or captured, compared to only 70 American casualties. This victory deprived the British of crucial supplies, and is considered as one of the turning points of the war, setting the stage for the American triumph at Saratoga.
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Mayflower’s departure from Southampton, England, in 1620, carrying 102 passengers seeking religious freedom. The voyage was fraught with challenges, including severe storms and cramped conditions, but the
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Mayflower’s departure from Southampton, England, in 1620, carrying 102 passengers seeking religious freedom. The voyage was fraught with challenges, including severe storms and cramped conditions, but the ship eventually arrived at Cape Cod in November 1620. The Pilgrims settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, establishing one of the earliest successful colonies in America. We’ve had the privilege of helping clients trace their ancestry back to these early settlers, uncovering stories of resilience, faith, and the pursuit of freedom. In 2023, we even visited Plymouth to connect with this rich history firsthand.
Four years ago today we had just wrapped filming with a client in Gloucester, England - a thoroughly enjoyable trip, rich with fascinating family stories and unexpected discoveries. One of those surprises was the tragic tale of a relative who served
Four years ago today we had just wrapped filming with a client in Gloucester, England - a thoroughly enjoyable trip, rich with fascinating family stories and unexpected discoveries. One of those surprises was the tragic tale of a relative who served aboard the submarine HMS Triumph during the Second World War. The Triumph had been granted leave to return home after one final mission: to land a group of MI19 agents in Greece. On Boxing Day, 1941, she sailed, but never surfaced again. No one knew exactly when, where, or how she was lost, and all 64 crew members perished. For more than 80 years her fate remained a mystery, until June 2023, when Greek researchers discovered the wreck at a depth of 203 metres in the Aegean Sea.
George Poingdestre, a 17th-century member of one of Jersey’s ruling Norman families, left the island for Virginia nearly 400 years ago. Today, his descendants number close to 10,000 in the U.S. alone, and hold annual reunions to celebrate their
George Poingdestre, a 17th-century member of one of Jersey’s ruling Norman families, left the island for Virginia nearly 400 years ago. Today, his descendants number close to 10,000 in the U.S. alone, and hold annual reunions to celebrate their shared roots. This year, more than 30 members of the Poindexter Descendants Association returned to Jersey for their largest family tour yet, coming from ten different U.S. states, Canada, Switzerland, and the UK to walk the same streets George once knew. The association began in the 1980s, when a few distant relatives researching their family trees discovered their common ancestor and decided to meet. A level of genealogical commitment that we love to see!
Some BTS shots from beautiful Campania last week! We had a fantastic time filming with our client and exploring the region, from the city of Naples to the towns of Campagna, Eboli, and Mirabella. It was a truly special experience, and we can&rsquo
Some BTS shots from beautiful Campania last week! We had a fantastic time filming with our client and exploring the region, from the city of Naples to the towns of Campagna, Eboli, and Mirabella. It was a truly special experience, and we can’t wait to reunite later this year for more filming in the U.S.!
This weekend we had the rare opportunity to share with our clients the exact origin of their family name. Decades ago, ‘foundling wheels’ were common across Italy. These spaces allowed women and families to safely and anonymously give u
This weekend we had the rare opportunity to share with our clients the exact origin of their family name. Decades ago, ‘foundling wheels’ were common across Italy. These spaces allowed women and families to safely and anonymously give up their newborn children when they were unable to care for them themselves. Usually positioned within churches or hospitals, the new caregivers would choose a name for the child - and thus, our client’s family name was born.
Did you know pigeons were once used to carry vital messages during wartime? One of the most remarkable was G.I. Joe, hatched in Algeria in 1943 and trained in New Jersey. During WWII, he flew 20 miles in just 20 minutes to deliver a message that pre Our Head of Production, Jess, is behind the mic today recording some voice over for a special new project - watch this space! Behind the scenes from our second day of filming in New Hampshire, uncovering the surprising truth behind some long-held family rumors… We’ve just completed our first day of filming in New Hampshire, starting with a series of biographical interviews at our client’s home, followed by career-focused conversations at the company they founded. Tomorrow, we’ll turn our That’s a wrap in Toronto! Our team spent the final day filming B-roll in and around the city, capturing footage of sites that hold significance for our clients. We can’t wait to bring it altogether in the final film. A few BTS snaps from a successful first filming day in Toronto! Today, project lead Matilda shared some meaningful research with our clients about their roots in the city, alongside a stunning view of the Toronto skyline. We also digitised over a Touchdown in Toronto! We spent our first day in T-Dot preparing for tomorrow’s filming, and exploring the city our clients call home. Can you spot the FHF representative getting to the heart of Toronto? A few years ago, we worked with a client whose father was a restless inventor in mid-century Ohio, at the heart of the American tire industry. Over his lifetime, he registered more than 30 patents, including one invention in particular that transform One of our client’s great-great-grandparents immigrated to St. Donatus, Iowa from Luxembourg in the 1850s, when their newly independent country was struggling with overpopulation and economic change. But when they arrived, St. Donatus was know In a year of new filming locations, next Thursday we’ll be heading to Toronto for the first time, home of the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Margaret Atwood. This trip marks the second part of client filming that began earlier this yea Pedestrianism was the Victorian sport of competitive long-distance walking. Thousands would gather to watch athletes test their endurance, with heavy betting riding on every step. In 1851, just a stone’s throw from our London offices in Vauxha Our latest blog is live! This week marks 80 years since V-J Day, the moment Japan’s surrender finally brought WWII to an end. In this post, we share some of the incredible stories we’ve helped preserve: a family forced to flee China, a On June 1st, 1943, BOAC Flight 777 was shot down by the Luftwaffe on its way from Lisbon to Bristol. Everyone aboard was killed, including actor Leslie Howard. But Howard hadn’t been meant to fly that day. He had taken the seat of a US Naval In The Wyoming Massacre was one of the darkest chapters of American history. On July 3, 1778, a force of American Loyalists and their Native American allies descended on Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Hundreds of settlers were killed, with their We once uncovered that a client’s ancestor fought at the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolutionary War. On August 16, 1777, American forces under General John Stark clashed with a detachment of British, German, and Loyalist troops Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Mayflower’s departure from Southampton, England, in 1620, carrying 102 passengers seeking religious freedom. The voyage was fraught with challenges, including severe storms and cramped conditions, but the Four years ago today we had just wrapped filming with a client in Gloucester, England - a thoroughly enjoyable trip, rich with fascinating family stories and unexpected discoveries. One of those surprises was the tragic tale of a relative who served George Poingdestre, a 17th-century member of one of Jersey’s ruling Norman families, left the island for Virginia nearly 400 years ago. Today, his descendants number close to 10,000 in the U.S. alone, and hold annual reunions to celebrate their Some BTS shots from beautiful Campania last week! We had a fantastic time filming with our client and exploring the region, from the city of Naples to the towns of Campagna, Eboli, and Mirabella. It was a truly special experience, and we can&rsquo This weekend we had the rare opportunity to share with our clients the exact origin of their family name. Decades ago, ‘foundling wheels’ were common across Italy. These spaces allowed women and families to safely and anonymously give u
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