For great research,
done beautifully.
Specialising in research for probate
and other legal proceedings.
A history & genealogical
research agency.
Who we are
The History Trader is Julie Coulton, a seasoned genealogist and legal professional, working in the specialised field of probate and forensic genealogy.
With an expert knowledge of Australian archives and historical resources, plus an established network of local and international professionals, The History Trader is the natural partner for solicitors, barristers, and private individuals needing essential genealogical research.
What we do
- Use genealogical skills to trace descendants and build family trees. We work across generations, jurisdictions, and languages.
- Identify, locate, and verify missing heirs, legatees, or beneficiaries within recognised classes, using sound and discreet genealogical research practices.
- Research and write expert genealogical reports, identifying beneficiaries, based on evidence of entitlement.
- Work with legal professionals, estate administrators, trustees, guardians and private individuals.
Australian baseline security clearance holder for briefs involving access to classified government resources.
In brief
Pertaining to deceased estates
Applications under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), including beneficiary class identification and documentary proofs for:-
- Intestacy requiring letters of administration
- Per stirpes applications
- Informal wills (section 8)
- Requisitions on probate
- Statutory wills
Pertaining to land
Applications requiring descendant family trees and genealogy reports for:-
- Adverse possession and council compulsory acquisitions
- Easements, laneways, parcels of land where the registered proprietor is long deceased and/or descendants cannot be located.
Contact us
Trading in history & genealogy since 2011.
PO Box 1170, Newport Beach, NSW, 2106
Biography
Julie was already in demand as a researcher, with a string of private clients - a New York Times best-selling author searching for the missing Rockefeller heir, a Sydney-sider whose expat first-cousin-once-removed died in the US with no living heirs, a vast fortune, and the family’s treasure trove of photographs and papers - when she was dropped into the world of probate genealogy, first-hand, in 2018.
Acropolis, Athens, 1989
Her father-in-law had died suddenly in Germany, leaving behind assets in three countries, and an archane trail of documents in German, Czech, and English, dating back to the 1960s. But there was no will. And German authorities would not issue a death certificate because his marital status could not be verified.
To everyone except Julie the situation seemed impenetrable.
It was personal experience that brought Julie’s genealogy and legal skills together.
Field work, Sydney, 2024
After more than a decade working in legal roles, including paralegal at the Commonwealth DPP and associate to a Sydney judge, she knew how to follow legal procedures and gather evidence. Plus she was a degree major in archaeology and history, and had recently graduated with distinction from the Society of Australian Genealogists genealogical research program.
Needing to prove to others what the family knew already - that her husband was his father’s only child and heir - she applied her skills methodically, partnering with lawyers in each jurisdiction, working through hurdle after hurdle. Including divorcing her parents-in-law in the German High Court, forty-five years after the event in NSW, so their long-standing divorce would be recognised legally in Germany.
Through her work, her husband was granted a German certificate of inheritance, a European certificate of inheritance, and letters of administration in NSW. After nearly four years, the impenetrable estate was administrated. Life could return to normal and Julie could get back to her day job.
Somewhere along the way, however, everything had changed. She was a square peg in a round hole and two little words just wouldn’t leave her alone...probate and genealogy. So she wrote them in the back of her diary, saving them for a rainy day. When it arrived she took the plunge and googled them. Only to find Schaefer Legal, a specialist wills and estates law firm with an in-house genealogy practice, owned by renowned lawyer-genealogist, Charlotte Schaefer. Finally, her unique skills had found a home and Julie had found a mentor.
After an unforgettable couple of years, having worked on a dream run of probate genealogy briefs at Schaefer Legal, striking out on her own was a natural progression and The History Trader shape-shifted, going from a history and research practice to a full service probate genealogy and history agency, servicing clients large and small.
REQUEST THE HISTORY TRADER FOR YOUR NEXT BRIEF
Office, Sydney, 2024
ABOUT US
The History Trader is an international probate and forensic genealogy agency.
The History Trader acknowledges Australia’s First Nations peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands, seas and waters of Australia, and pays respect to all First Nations Elders past, present and emerging.
QUICK LINKS
Historical images sourced from the collection of the State Library of NSW.