Our Team

Kent History Hub is powered by a small but dedicated team of historical experts, each bringing unique skills and knowledge to our mission of preserving and sharing Kent's rich heritage. With decades of combined experience in historical research, digital preservation, and genealogical studies, our team works collaboratively to create the most comprehensive resource for Kent's historical communities.

Meet the Experts Behind Kent History Hub

Dr. Margaret Thornton

Lead Historian & Research Director

Dr. Thornton is a specialist in Medieval Kent history with over 20 years of experience in historical research and archival work. She holds a PhD in Medieval Studies from the University of Kent and has published extensively on Canterbury's religious history and the development of Kent's market towns.

  • Medieval ecclesiastical history
  • Canterbury Cathedral archives research
  • Local heritage site interpretation
  • Anglo-Saxon Kent settlements

As Lead Historian, Margaret oversees the historical accuracy of all content published on Kent History Hub and coordinates our research partnerships with universities, museums, and historical societies across the county.

Contact: margaret@kenthistoryforum.co.uk

James Richardson

Digital Heritage Manager

James brings a unique combination of technical expertise and historical knowledge to Kent History Hub. With a background in information science and a Masters in Heritage Management from the University of Greenwich, he specialises in digital preservation and making historical resources accessible online.

  • Digital archive management
  • Historical map digitisation
  • Website development and SEO
  • Audio-visual historical documentation

James leads our digital strategy, ensuring that Kent's historical resources are preserved, accessible, and engaging for future generations. He has previously worked on digitisation projects with the Kent Archives and the British Library.

Contact: james@kenthistoryforum.co.uk

Sarah Whitfield

Genealogy & Family History Specialist

Sarah is passionate about helping families trace their Kent roots. With over 15 years of experience in genealogical research and a background in library sciences, she has helped hundreds of people discover their connections to Kent's rich past.

  • Parish record interpretation
  • Census and electoral roll research
  • Military service record tracing
  • DNA genealogy connections

Sarah manages our genealogy resources section and regularly conducts workshops on family history research techniques. Her expertise in Kent's parish records and local archives makes her an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to explore their Kentish ancestry.

Contact: sarah@kenthistoryforum.co.uk

Working Together to Preserve Kent's Heritage

Our team collaborates with a wide network of local historians, archaeologists, museum curators, and heritage enthusiasts across Kent to ensure that our resources are accurate, comprehensive, and continually expanding. We believe that understanding our shared past helps us build stronger communities for the future.

We are always looking to expand our network of contributors and partners. If you have expertise in any aspect of Kent's history and would like to contribute to our project, please get in touch via our Contact page.

Learn more about our mission and approach on our About Us page.