Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies

What Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies does

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) is a UK-based independent charitable educational trust founded in 1961 and headquartered at 80-82 Northgate, Canterbury, Kent (Charitable Educational Trust No: 313304; Companies House No: 01629916). The organization operates as "The School of Family History" and is structured around two commercial activities delivered from a single small team of approximately 12 employees. Its core offering is a portfolio of distance learning correspondence courses in genealogy and heraldry, structured around a recognized qualification pathway that progresses from the Higher Certificate in Genealogy through to Diploma and ultimately Licentiateship of the IHGS. Complementary offerings include shorter Bitesize courses, Anytime Talks, a monthly Talk of the Month series, and niche courses such as Scottish ancestry and house history, with prices ranging from £10 (talks) to £2,340 (Higher Certificate).

Revenue is generated through five streams: course fees, professional research services delivered through the Achievements division (genealogy, heraldry, house and local history, DNA advisory, and custom pedigree charts at £50–£1,750 per engagement), bookshop and publications sales, a subscription-style membership scheme providing access to The Journal, and paid tutorials. The go-to-market is primarily direct-to-consumer and product-led via the ihgs.ac.uk website, supplemented by Zoom consultations, on-site access to the Canterbury library, participation in events such as The Family History Show London, and a 10% discount partnership with the Association of Genealogical Researchers and Writers (AGRA). IHGS also operates as a FamilySearch Affiliated Library, providing its students and members access to FamilySearch's global genealogical database.

The underlying platform is a conventional distance learning educational system — course materials and tutor assessments delivered remotely, an e-commerce shop, and a specialized physical library/archive holding unique collections such as the Kent Ecclesiastical Court Depositions Index, monumental inscriptions catalogues, and trade directories. Customer segments are entirely horizontal and individual-based: family history hobbyists (primary), professional genealogists (often AGRA-affiliated), and gift purchasers of research services. Geographic reach is global via online delivery, with documented customers in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, India, continental Europe, Central America, and beyond.

Name

Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies

Legal name

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies

Website

https://ihgs.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS), a UK charitable educational trust founded 1961, delivers distance learning courses and professional research services in genealogy, heraldry, and house history. It serves individual hobbyists, professional genealogists, and gift purchasers globally through its Achievements research division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genealogy and Heraldry Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAAEAD

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Continuing Education (Noncredit) & Lifelong Learning Programs

SECONDARYEDAEAGAJ

Archives, Special Collections & Preservation Operations (Rare Materials, Conservation)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

Keywords

• Genealogy education
• Heraldry courses
• Distance learning
• Family history research
• Professional genealogy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canterbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Revenue from distance learning courses including Higher Certificate in Genealogy, Heraldry courses, House History, and various online courses. Courses are offered at different price points with discounts for AGRA members.
2. Professional Research Services: Achievements research division provides paid genealogical research services including family history research, heraldry research, house/local history research, and DNA advisory services. Services are priced in packages and consultation fees.
3. Bookshop and Publications: Sales of IHGS publications, maps, and pre-loved books through the online shop.
4. Membership and Journal Subscription: IHGS offers membership providing access to The Journal (family history publication), student/member area, and other member benefits including free access to certain talks.
5. Tutorials and Talks: Revenue from Anytime Talks and live tutorials on genealogy and heraldry topics, including the monthly 'Talk of the Month' series.
6. Heraldry Course: Six-module distance learning Heraldry course offered at £595.00, with AGRA member pricing at £535.50.
7. Research Service Packages: Pre-packaged research services including Essentials (£250), Foundations (£450), Extended (£875), and Premium (£1,750) packages, plus consultation services starting at £50.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies delivers distance learning courses and recognized qualifications in genealogy and heraldry, from foundation modules through Higher Certificate, Diploma, and Licentiateship levels. It also runs paid professional research services (trading as "Achievements") covering family history, heraldry, house and local history, DNA advisory, and custom family tree chart production, supported by a specialized library and FamilySearch-affiliated archive facility.

Product overview

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) operates as an independent charitable trust offering a dual portfolio: educational distance learning courses and professional research services (trading as Achievements). Educational offerings include qualifications at Certificate, Diploma, and Licentiateship levels in Genealogy, plus dedicated Heraldry courses and various supplementary tutorials (Bitesize, Anytime Talks, Talk of the Month). Professional research services cover genealogy, heraldry, house/local history, DNA advisory, and custom pedigree chart production. Students can enroll in courses independently while also accessing professional research commissions through the same organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Higher Certificate in Genealogy Course
• Diploma in Genealogy
• Advanced Level in Genealogy (Certificate)
• Licentiateship of the IHGS
• Heraldry Course
• Property, People and Place: A Guide to House History Research
• Starting Your Scottish Ancestry Journey
• Awaken Your Ancestors
• Broadening Your Family Tree
• Completing Your Ancestral Journey
• Bitesize Online Courses
• Anytime Talks
• Talk of the Month
• DNA Advisory Service
• Genealogy Research Services (Achievements)
• Heraldry Research Services
• House and Local History Research
• Family Tree Charts and Pedigrees
• Gift Certificates
• IHGS Membership and The Journal Subscription
• IHGS Bookshop and Publications

Quantifiable outcome

• Flexible enrollment allows students to start courses at any time and study at their own pace
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FamilySearchcoreTechnology or IntegrationIHGS operates as a FamilySearch Affiliated Library, providing access to FamilySearch's global genealogical database and resources through their Canterbury facility. This partnership enables IHGS to offer enhanced research capabilities to its students and members.
• AGRA (Association of Genealogical Researchers and Writers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAGRA members receive a 10% discount on all IHGS courses. This partnership provides exclusive pricing to professional genealogists who are AGRA members, supporting the professional genealogy community while driving student enrolment.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Society of Genealogists: The UK's long-established genealogical society, offering educational courses, qualifications, library access, and family history research services. Directly comparable to IHGS as a UK-based heritage education and research charity targeting hobbyist and professional genealogists.
• University of Strathclyde (Postgraduate Certificate in Genealogical Studies): Offers one of the few accredited postgraduate qualifications in Genealogical Studies via distance learning. Comparable to IHGS as an academic genealogy qualification pathway serving serious hobbyists and professionals upgrading credentials.
• Pharos Tutors: UK-based provider of genealogy and family history courses, including structured certificate pathways and record-specific specializations. Closely comparable in its distance-learning pedagogy, qualification framework, and adult-learner hobbyist segment.

Broad incumbents

• MyHeritage: Global genealogy platform with DNA testing, family trees, and record access. Comparable to IHGS as a competing destination for hobbyist family history research, particularly strong in European and diaspora markets.
• Ancestry.com: Global consumer genealogy platform offering records access, family tree software, and educational content. Comparable as a destination where IHGS students learn skills and conduct research, and as a competitor for hobbyist attention and willingness to pay.
• National Genealogical Society: Larger US-based genealogical society offering courses, conferences, publications, and certifications to a broad member base. Comparable as a membership-driven genealogy education charity, though operating at significantly greater scale and primarily serving North American records.

Others

• Association of Genealogical Researchers and Writers (AGRA): UK professional body for genealogists, already a formal GTM partner offering IHGS discounts to its members. Comparable as the governing body whose recognition amplifies IHGS's qualifications and as a referral source for Achievements research services.
• Board for Certification of Genealogists: US-based credentialing body for professional genealogists. Comparable as a parallel accreditation framework that competes for recognition in the professional genealogist community IHGS targets.
• FamilySearch: Free global genealogical record platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Already a formal Affiliated Library partner of IHGS; comparable as the primary free ecosystem in which IHGS's students and researchers operate.

Emerging players

• Legacy Tree Genealogists: US-based professional genealogy research firm offering paid client research, DNA analysis, and case studies. Comparable to IHGS's Achievements division as a paid commissioned research service, with overlap on DNA advisory and multi-package service tiers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-heraldic-and-genealogical-studies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies