George Rigal, who died in 2012, may be regarded as one of the fathers of Jewish genealogy in Britain. A founder member of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain, he undertook a number of research and transcription projects on sources that others had overlooked but which proved to be rich and informative. He was always punctiliously faithful to his sources, generous in sharing his findings with others, and unfailingly modest about his considerable achievements. His work on London-based insurance policies, now made available to others thanks to his Executors, may be considered among his most important projects. It will be valued by genealogists and historians alike.