Our Story
Discovering history in every family
Founded in the 1990s, Passport to the Past began as a small gathering of like-minded local and family historians meeting through Boffin Books. What started as weekly Monday afternoon history classes soon grew into a thriving community united by a passion for uncovering the stories of the past.
Over the years, Passport to the Past has gone from strength to strength, becoming known for its engaging talks, expert-led research, and unforgettable historical tours. Inspired by the spirit of Who Do You Think You Are?, we have organised battlefield visits and heritage journeys that bring history vividly to life. From the beaches of Normandy to the canals of Amsterdam, the cafés of Paris, and the hidden corners of Florence and Venice, our travellers have explored the places where history happened. We have walked in Hemingway’s footsteps, traced the lives of soldiers and civilians, and uncovered the secret world of Second World War espionage and spies.
At the heart of Passport to the Past has always been people. Our classes and tours have created lasting friendships and a welcoming atmosphere for those who share a love of history, genealogy, and discovery. Many who first joined a Monday afternoon class decades ago remain part of our community today.
Alongside our courses and tours, we have helped hundreds of clients uncover previously unknown chapters of their family history. We do far more than simply produce family trees. Through detailed research, historical records, photographs, military archives, and social history, we bring ancestors back to life — revealing the fascinating details, struggles, achievements, and adventures that shaped their worlds.
Today, Passport to the Past continues to inspire curiosity, connection, and discovery, offering expert research, engaging courses, historical talks, and memorable tours for everyone who believes the past still has stories to tell.
Meet The Team
Lorraine Spindler
Founder, CEO and Researcher
Lorraine has spent a lifetime combining her love of history, research, and storytelling. A former director of an international academic book distribution company, she later became a college lecturer, professional genealogist, and historical researcher, working with museums and the National Trust on a variety of historical projects.
An accomplished historian with a particular expertise in the World War I, Lorraine is also the author of two books and has delivered talks and courses on a wide range of historical subjects. Her passion for travel has taken her across Europe in search of the people, places, and events that shaped history, from battlefields and archives to hidden streets and forgotten corners of famous cities.
What Lorraine enjoys most is bringing the past vividly to life for clients. Far beyond names and dates, she delights in uncovering the human stories — the adventures, hardships, secrets, and triumphs — that make every family history unique. Whether leading tours, teaching classes, carrying out research, or guiding visitors through the stories behind historic places, her enthusiasm for history is infectious and at the heart of everything she does.
Peter Spindler
Trip Client Liason
Peter brings a unique mix of reassurance, good humour, and practical know-how to every Passport to the Past tour. A former Scotland Yard detective specialising in child protection and safeguarding, he has spent years looking after people in challenging situations — skills that now make him an invaluable member of our tours team.
These days, Peter’s investigative talents are more likely to be used tracking down the best café, locating a missing suitcase, or appearing at exactly the right moment with his legendary hot flask of coffee and an emergency chocolate bar. Calm, kind, and endlessly dependable, he has an uncanny ability to know when guests need a helping hand, a reassuring word, or simply a good laugh after a long day exploring battlefields and historic streets.
Michael Watts
Researcher and Events Guide
Michael brings a calm, steady presence to every Passport to the Past experience, combined with a sharp eye for detail and interpretation that helps unlock the stories hidden in archives, documents, and photographs.
With a background in event management, he has a natural ability to put people at ease and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, so guests can simply enjoy the journey. He is highly skilled in using modern historical research tools and archival systems, bringing a contemporary edge to traditional historical investigation.
His particular passion lies in military history, including the complexities of the World War s I and II, where his expertise in photographic analysis and interpretation adds depth and clarity to the stories uncovered. Whether examining a faded image, tracing a service record, or piecing together fragmentary evidence, Michael has a talent for turning detail into narrative.