Workshop timetable

Tessa Dunlop will be interviewing Larry Lamb about his experience of filming the Who Do You Think You Are? television series.

Mark Pearsall joined the National Archives in 1983, before which he worked in Birmingham Public Libraries Local Studies Library and City Archives. He has worked in several departments at the National Archives mainly in search, reader services and records departments. He has produced various guides and finding aids and a number of publications including Family History Companion and co-authored Family History on the Move. His research interests include Nationality and citizenship, parish history and administration, local government and county administration.

Formerly with the Dept of the Environment, Rick has worked in digital historical mapping since the 1990. Being part of the original team who launched the Landmark/Ordnance Survey Historic Joint Venture in 1995, the original old-maps website in 1998 and establishing Digimap Historic alongside the University of Edinburgh in 2004 – providing access to historical mapping for every university student in Britain.

Paul Gorry has had a lifelong interest in local and family history, dabbling in both by the age of ten. He has been engaged in genealogical research on a professional basis since 1979, when he began his career as a freelance researcher for the Genealogical Office in Dublin. He is a founder member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (APGI), which was formed in 1986. APGI is the only accreditation body for professional genealogists in Ireland. Membership is limited to professional genealogists whose work has been tested and approved by an independent Board of Assessors. Once admitted to membership of APGI a genealogist is bound by a strict Code of Practice. Paul Gorry served as President of APGI in 2007-2009. On behalf of APGI he is co-ordinator of the Diploma in Family History course at Independent Colleges, Dublin, run in association with APGI.

Paul has written extensively on genealogical and local history topics. He was a frequent contributor to Family Tree in the 1990s and, more recently, he has had a long association with Irish Roots magazine. He has also published articles on Irish golf history and he is currently preparing a book on Irish golf records. With his APGI colleague, Máire Mac Conghail, he was joint-author of the book Tracing Irish Ancestors, (HarperCollins, Glasgow, 1997). He also wrote Baltinglass Chronicles, 1851-2001, published in 2006.

John was a Systems Specialist in the banking industry before taking early retirement in 2001. He has been researching his family history for the past 30 years and has used computers and the Internet for his research since their early days. His speciality is the census is the author of “Getting the best from the 1911 census”

He now writes, lectures and teaches family history and was made a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists in 2005 for “Services to Genealogy”

Dr. Turi King is a Research Fellow and Project Manager on The Impact of Diasporas on the Making of Britain project in Department of Genetics and the School of Historical Studies at the University of Leicester carrying out further work on the link between surnames and DNA. She obtained her first degree in Biological Anthropology at the University of Cambridge before moving into the field of molecular genetics. She undertook the MSc in Molecular Genetics at the University of Leicester gaining a distinction. Following a brief period working at Cambridge University, Turi moved back to Leicester to carry out a PhD under the supervision of Professor Mark Jobling in the Department of Genetics on a Wellcome Trust Prize Studentship. Turi was awarded the School of Biological Sciences PhD Prize for her thesis entitled “The relationship between British surnames and Y- chromosomal haplotypes”.

I am Principal Modern Records Specialist Project at The National Archives and was Director of its recent Living the Poor Life Project. I am also a Research Fellow at Nottingham University currently researching the lives of inmates and staff at the Southwell Poor Law Union Workhouse during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In May 2011 I organised a conference with the British Association for Local History on the Poor Life Project at which the professionals and volunteers involved gave papers.

Gill Blanchard lives in Norfolk and has been working as a full time professional family, house and local history researcher for over 20 years, including 6 years at Norfolk Record Office where she worked as an archives assistant conducting research for others, helping the public with their own research and transcribing and indexing thousands of poor law, coroner’s, probate and quarter sessions records amongst others. Gill set up her own research business called Past Search in 1997 which specialises in tracing Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex ancestors. She has had a book published on ‘Tracing Your East Anglian Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians’ (Pen & Sword, 2009) and one on how to research a house history is due out in 2012. She has also contributed a number of articles to family history magazines including Ancestors and Family History Monthly

Dr. Nick Barratt is a broadcaster, author and historian who has worked in the field of local and family history for fifteen years. He runs Sticks Research Agency and is Editor in Chief of Your Family History magazine as well as holding several representative positions in the sector such as President, Federation of Family History Societies and Trustee, Society of Genealogists. For those wondering, the 'Dr' is in state finance and fiscal history in the thirteenth century - not genealogy!

Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard is a family, local and migration historian based in Dorset. She gives talks and lectures to groups all over the country. Her special interest is migration from Dorset in the 19th Century.

By day, a healthcare professional, and by night, a family, local and landscape historian. My interest in family history was sparked some 25yrs ago after being given a family heirloom (a ring worn during the Crimean War); since then, research has taken me to many corners of the UK.

As a founder member and past chairman of Hunts FHS, and now a trustee/committee member of Cambs FHS, I have long been involved with genealogy and the work of family history societies; I currently run a branch of Cambs FHS, compile their monthly newsletter, and help local researchers with enquiries and problems.

Among other things, I participated in the LDS project to transcribe the 1881 census; and since then, have become very interested in issues surrounding historical records’ databases, as well as problems associated with the production and use of transcribed/indexed material in general. “I am a firm believer in working on local records both for their preservation and the benefit of researchers living elsewhere, and, in promoting both good practice and caution in research through education. Many apparent problems can be overcome, but only if the original source material is properly understood and the information correctly interpreted - material such as census returns.”

Helen Kelly has been involved in Irish genealogy and tourism since the 1980s and holds an extra-mural certificate in genealogy from University College Dublin (1992), a diploma in Local History from the National University of Ireland - Maynooth (1998) and a National Tour Guide Certificate from CERT (2002). She was admitted to membership of APGI in 1995, has been on the council of APGI since 1997 and is currently their President.
 

Dominic Johnson B.Sc L.H.G. a professional family historian, teacher and lecturer of family history and related subjects of some 37 years standing , has held positions of responsibility in various organisations namely President of Notts FHS and Registrar of the Guild of One- Name Studies.

Military history of any period and a keen interest in palaeography again of any period are perhaps at the forefront of my interests though over the last year military history has taken a backseat as I draw to a close the transcription. translation indexing. presentation etc. of an early 15th century draft account book of a priory in Leicestershire.

Daniel Horowitz enjoys a multi-faceted role at MyHeritage.com As the Chief Genealogist he brings over 20 years' experience in the genealogy field to the team. Also heading the company's Translation department, he has been instrumental in increasing MyHeritage's global support to 38 languages.

Prior to MyHeritage.com, Daniel was an educator in the family history project "Searching for My Roots", where his work received many awards in Venezuela and in Israel. He is a very experienced genealogist, researcher and lecturer and holds board level positions with a number of genealogical societies and organizations. Mr. Horowitz holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering with a specialization in Education & Management of Educational Institutions.

A power genealogist himself, in his leisure time Daniel enjoys the outdoors with his wife and two children.

John was a Systems Specialist in the banking industry before taking early retirement in 2001. He has been researching his family history for the past 30 years and has used computers and the Internet for his research since their early days. His speciality is the census is the author of “Getting the best from the 1911 census”

He now writes, lectures and teaches family history and was made a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists in 2005 for “Services to Genealogy.”

Although a physicist by profession, Peter Bailey’s interest in genealogy extends over 40 years. He has been a member of the Society of Genealogists since 1967 and sat for five years on their Board of Trustees.

Most of his male ancestors were military men, serving in the East India Company’s Madras Army, the Indian Army and the British Army in India.

Peter was a founder member of the ‘Families in British India Society’ (FIBIS) at its inception in 1998, and has served on its organizing committee ever since. He is currently Chairman and has seen the Society grow from its inception to a membership, last year, of over 1100. Peter is now recognized as one of the leading authorities in family history in British India. He lectures and writes articles on both sources and research techniques, and has published a book on Researching Ancestors in the East India Company’s Armies.

William Spencer served 13 years in the Fleet Air Arm before joining the Public Record Office in 1993. He became Military Specialist in 1996 and has been a prolific author on the subject of military records since 1997.

Maureen Taylor, known as the Photo Detective, is an internationally known expert on photo identification. She travels extensively giving presentations on photo identification, photo preservation, and family history. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and several American television shows including The Today Show and The View. Her articles have appeared in Who Do You Think You Are magazine, Irish Roots and Family Tree Magazine (U.K.).

I have been involved with family history since 1985 when I was first appointed to the staff of the National Library of Wales. Firstly as a cataloguing assistant, working with the public in the reading room and answering enquiries. From 1991 for nearly 14 years I was then appointed as the paid Genealogist for the Library doing research on behalf of others. This post came to an end and I was then appointed Supervisor of the South Reading Room (Nonprint material) before being promoted to the Manager of the Reading Room and Family History Co-ordinator for the Library at present.

At the moment I am one of the Archives Liaison Officers and a member of the executive committee of the Federation of Family History Societies; an executive member of the Association of Family History Societies of Wales, Dyfed FHS, Powys FHS and the Chairman of Cardiganshire FHS.

I was recently a member of the team of experts on the S4C Welsh family history programme PERTHYN which was based at the National Library of Wales. I have contributed to many radio and television programmes relating to family history over the years, as well as contributing and writing for various journals and magazines and giving talks on various aspects of Welsh family history.

Dr. Nick Barratt is a broadcaster, author and historian who has worked in the field of local and family history for fifteen years. He runs Sticks Research Agency and is Editor in Chief of Your Family History magazine as well as holding several representative positions in the sector such as President, Federation of Family History Societies and Trustee, Society of Genealogists. For those wondering, the 'Dr' is in state finance and fiscal history in the thirteenth century - not genealogy!

Active in FH for about 40 years.

Vice president of Wiltshire FHS. Publications Co-ordinator & Leader of Transcribing Team for the Society. Has spoken to many societies, specialising on local, parochial & diocesan records.

D. Joshua Taylor “Josh” is a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. Formerly the Director of Education and Programs at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, Massachusetts, Joshua is a frequent speaker at genealogical societies, libraries, and other organizations across the United States and the United Kingdom. Active in the genealogical community, Joshua is the current Vice President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), where he also serves as chairman of the Conference Planning Committee and was co-chair of the FGS/ISGS 2011 National Conference. He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and has been a featured genealogist on the U.S. version of Who Do You Think You Are?.

Jackie Depelle is Chairman of the Yorkshire Group of Family History Societies, a full-time Family History tutor, Event Organiser and member of the Guild of One-Name Studies. Since starting her first tree many years ago with her aunt, Jackie has developed a keen interest in spreading knowledge, enthusiasm and the skills needed to accurately research alongside a commitment to run specialist activities in and around Yorkshire

Selected panelists will take questions from the floor

Steven Smyrl has practiced as a specialist in legal and probate genealogical research for twenty years. Steven was admitted to membership of APGI in 1991 and (with only a one year break) has served as a Council member continuously since 1992; he is a founding member of the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO), serving on its Council since 1992 and twice acting as chairman for the years 2000-2002 and 2009-2010; he has been a member of the Irish Genealogical Research Society since 1989, serving as a committee member of the Ireland Branch (IGRS-IB) since 1995 and as its chairman for 2002-2005 and 2009-2012. In 2007 he was elected to the fellowship of the IGRS and since 2008 has been a member of the IGRS Council. In 2010 the IGRS Council elected him to the position of overall chairman of the Society. In addition, he is a committee member of at least five other organisations.

John was a Systems Specialist in the banking industry before taking early retirement in 2001. He has been researching his family history for the past 30 years and has used computers and the Internet for his research since their early days. His speciality is the census is the author of “Getting the best from the 1911 census”

He now writes, lectures and teaches family history and was made a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists in 2005 for “Services to Genealogy”

Until recently, Pete Wadley was a Search Room Archivist at the National Records of Scotland and is based in General Register House, on Princes Street, in Edinburgh. Part of his job is to make what is quite an imposing building seem more approachable to researchers and to ensure that those people using this public service are comfortable doing so.

He is now part of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 implementation team, helping ensure this ground-breaking piece of legislation works efficiently. The Act is the first of its kind for 70 years and regulates the records management programme of over 200 public bodies in Scotland.

Pete has a First Class degree in Modern History (the type where you don’t have to learn Latin!) from Dundee University and has worked in the archive sector for 14 years.

Else Churchill is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists. She is a professional researcher and genealogical librarian and has lectured regularly in the USA, Canada and around the UK. She writes regularly for the SoG and other magazines.

Author of the award-winning book, “Google Your Family Tree”, Dan is known in family history circles as “Mr. Google”. A popular International speaker and professional genealogist, Dan has a special emphasis in the application of technology for all aspects of family history. His 25+ year career in the computer industry is the perfect complement to three decades of traditional family history research.

Dan is a former vice president at Ancestry.com and consults for Ellis Island, FindMyPast, FamilySearch, and other leading genealogy organizations worldwide. He shares his passion and enthusiasm for genealogy and technology in classes, workshops, lectures, articles, books, and websites. A fourth-generation American of Irish and Italian heritage, Dan continues to pursue a few brick walls of his own. He has been featured on “Good Morning America” and other local and national television broadcasts in connection with his family history expertise.

Dan is a life member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and a life member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists.

Brian studied History at Trinity College, graduating in 1989. He subsequently lectured and tutored in the university and since then has also lectured throughout Ireland and the US on history, genealogy and electronic publishing. Brian’s experience in digital technology, as well as his background in history, helped motivate the founding of Eneclann, with Fiona Fitzsimons, in 1998. Brian specialises in Eneclann’s digitisation work, both for commercial clients and for Eneclann’s own publications. He has overseen the development of Eneclann’s CD catalogue, as well as the Archive CD Books Ireland project. Brian is also closely involved in developing Eneclann’s online publications, playing a key role in establishing www.findmypast.ie. This website is a major online resources for Irish genealogical records. Brian was also the technical advisor for the landmark Trinity College project to digitise the 1641 Depositions, as well as many other cultural and educational initiatives.

Gill Blanchard lives in Norfolk and has been working as a full time professional family, house and local history researcher for over 20 years, including 6 years at Norfolk Record Office where she worked as an archives assistant conducting research for others, helping the public with their own research and transcribing and indexing thousands of poor law, coroner’s, probate and quarter sessions records amongst others. Gill set up her own research business called Past Search in 1997 which specialises in tracing Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex ancestors. She has had a book published on ‘Tracing Your East Anglian Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians’ (Pen & Sword, 2009) and one on how to research a house history is due out in 2012. She has also contributed a number of articles to family history magazines including Ancestors and Family History Monthly

Peter Turvey, MD of Anglia Research is a leading figure in the genealogical world and has been operating as a Probate Genealogist since the 1970’s. He is a member of AGRA and Chairman of the AGRA Board of Assessors. A chess-playing, crossword solving marathon runner he still finds the challenges as exciting now as he did when he first started.

Dominic Johnson B.Sc L.H.G. is a professional family historian, teacher and lecturer of family history and related subjects of some 37 years standing and, has held positions of responsibility in various organisations namely President of Notts FHS and Registrar of the Guild of One- Name Studies.

Military history of any period and a keen interest in palaeography again of any period are perhaps at the forefront of my interests though over the last year military history has taken a backseat as I draw to a close the transcription, translation indexing,  presentation etc. of an early 15th century draft account book of a priory in Leicestershire.

Michael Gandy is a Londoner and has been tracing his ancestry since 1963. He is a former Chairman of SoG and presently editor of the Genealogists' Magazine. He was Chairman of the Catholic FHS for 14 years, founding Chairman of the Quaker FHS and is Research Officer for the Huguenot Society. He is well known for his work on nonconformists, London and the Irish in England

I am Principal Modern Records Specialist Project at The National Archives and was Director of its recent Living the Poor Life Project. I am also a Research Fellow at Nottingham University currently researching the lives of inmates and staff at the Southwell Poor Law Union Workhouse during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In May 2011 I organised a conference with the British Association for Local History on the Poor Life Project at which the professionals and volunteers involved gave papers.

Bruce B Bishop is Chairman of SAFHS, a member of ASGRA, and Honorary Vice-President of the Aberdeen and North East Scotland FHS. He represents Family History Society interests on the ScotlandPeople User Group, the Scottish Council on Archives, the VisitScotland Ancestral Tourism Group, and the National Committee on Carved Stones in Scotland.

Author of ‘Lost Moray and Nairn’ and ‘Lost Badenoch and Strathspey (Birlinn Publishing), and also of two series of genealogical booklets; ‘The Lands and People of Moray’ and ‘Banffshire, the People and the Land”.

Originally trained as a meteorologist, after 20 years in the Met Office he then taught at Gordonstoun School for over 20 years, before retiring to follow his abiding interest of Family History and Local History research.

He is now a professional researcher, working not only on genealogical cases but also on local history, house history, and other commissions, with a special interest in the period from 1650 to 1850. He has also conducted palaeography workshops for family history societies, and lectures widely on Scottish Local History.

Andrew Robertshaw is a military historian, author and broadcaster who now runs The Royal Logistic Corps Museum in Deepcut. He has worked in military museums for almost thirty years and is a well know face on programmes such as Time Team and WDYTYA. His expertise is in the understanding of the Great War on the Western Front and he has been involved in seventeen archaeological projects and two television series on the subject. Recent work has included editing the memoirs of soldiers from both world wars and running a variety of Battlefield tours for both soldiers and civilians.

He is a partner in Battlefield Partnerships which runs interpretive, media, educational and archaeological projects.

Janet is now in her fourth decade of family history research and regularly lectures on family, local and social history throughout the country. Janet runs family history courses for Devon FHS, is the President of the Isle of Wight FHS and the historian and editor for the Braund One-Name Society, for whom she has written a number of books. A former Education Liaison Officer for the Federation of Family History Societies, Janet is also holder of the advanced diploma in family history and genealogy, awarded by the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies.

Laurence Harris is UK Head of Genealogy for MyHeritage.com. He is also a professional genealogist specializing in Jewish genealogical research and has researched a number of personalities with Jewish ancestry for the BBC “Who Do You Think You Are?” series. He is the past Chairman of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain (JGSGB) and a former member of the National Archives User Advisory Group. One of his special interests is the use of Social Networking tools to assist with genealogical research. His website is www.ancestorstraced.co.uk

Dr Jane Howells is editor of Local History News for the British Association for Local History. She has presented papers on aspects of her main research interest of 19th century women in the public society and economy at conferences in UK, USA and France, and frequently speaks to local societies. She is the co-author with Ruth Newman, of Salisbury Past and together they have recently edited and transcribed William Small's Cherished Memories and Associations, volume 64 of the Wiltshire Record Society.

Dr. Nick Barratt is a broadcaster, author and historian who has worked in the field of local and family history for fifteen years. He runs Sticks Research Agency and is Editor in Chief of Your Family History magazine as well as holding several representative positions in the sector such as President, Federation of Family History Societies and Trustee, Society of Genealogists. For those wondering, the 'Dr' is in state finance and fiscal history in the thirteenth century - not genealogy!

Dee Williams has been in charge of the ScotlandsPeople Centre and the internet customer service support team since 2006. She was actively involved in the re-launch of the internet website at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk on 1 September 2010 as well as the preparations for the release of the 1911 Scottish Census in 2011.

I have been involved with family history since 1985 when I was first appointed to the staff of the National Library of Wales. Firstly as a cataloguing assistant, working with the public in the reading room and answering enquiries. From 1991 for nearly 14 years I was then appointed as the paid Genealogist for the Library doing research on behalf of others. This post came to an end and I was then appointed Supervisor of the South Reading Room (Nonprint material) before being promoted to the Manager of the Reading Room and Family History Co-ordinator for the Library at present.

At the moment I am one of the Archives Liaison Officers and a member of the executive committee of the Federation of Family History Societies; an executive member of the Association of Family History Societies of Wales, Dyfed FHS, Powys FHS and the Chairman of Cardiganshire FHS.

I was recently a member of the team of experts on the S4C Welsh family history programme PERTHYN which was based at the National Library of Wales. I have contributed to many radio and television programmes relating to family history over the years, as well as contributing and writing for various journals and magazines and giving talks on various aspects of Welsh family history.