Workshop timetable

Born in Peckham in South East London, former greengrocer turned TV presenter and food writer, Gregg Wallace has always had a keen interest in his family history. Most well-known, perhaps, for his work on Masterchef and Saturday Kitchen as well as the award-winning Follow That Tomato.

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 has been a member of APGI since 1995, been on the council of APGI since 1997 and is currently their President.

This workshop will examine sources relating to British soldiers born overseas and the contribution they made in defending Britain.

Peter Bailey is Chairman of the ‘Families in British India Society’ and lectures and writes books and articles on Family History in British India. He has nine ancestors who lived over four generations in India, four of them in the army, either the East India Company Army, the Indian Army or the British Army serving in India. Peter has been a Member of the Society of Genealogists for over 40 years and has served as a Trustee.

Michael Gandy is a Londoner and has been tracing his ancestry since 1963. He is a former Chairman of SoG and currently the editor of 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.

Bruce B Bishop born in Walsall, England. Spent 20 years as a meteorologist, and a similar length of time as a teacher at Gordonstoun School. Now a professional genealogist and researcher in archives, author of ‘Lost Moray and Nairn’ and ‘Lost Badenoch and Strathspey’ (Birlinn), and a series of booklets on the lands and people of the parishes of Moray and Banffshire. Chairman of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies and a member of ASGRA. Especially interested in the documentary records of the 18th century in Scotland.

Peter Christian has been researching his genealogy for over 30 years and first put his family tree on the web in 1995. A former editor of Computers in Genealogy and a regular internet columnist for the genealogy magazines, he is the author of a number of genealogy books, including The Genealogist's Internet and Census: The Expert Guide. He is a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists and a trustee of Genuki.

Graham has been involved in one way or another with genealogy and family history for most of his life. After many years of experience as a librarian, his involvement in the field of teaching family history began as a tutor of evening classes at the University of Strathclyde.

He has been a tutor on the University’s Postgraduate Programme in Genealogical Studies since it commenced in 2006 and is now responsible for running these courses. He is author of 'Discover Your Scottish Ancestry' (2nd ed. 2009) and 'My Ancestor Emigrated To The British Empire'.

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.

He is the researcher for the Halsted Trust and has been a member of the Guild of One-Name Studies for nearly 20 years. John's speciality is the census and is the author of “Getting The Best From The 1911 Census”. He now writes, lectures and teaches family history and was also made a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists in 2005 for “Services to Genealogy”.

Lisa Louise Cooke is the owner of Genealogy Gems, a multi-media production company, and host of “The Genealogy Gems Podcast” at www.genealogygems.com. Her podcasts bring genealogy news, research strategies, expert interviews and inspiration to genealogists in 75 countries around the world. Lisa is the author of four books including “Turn Your iPad into a Genealogy Powerhouse,” and “The Genealogist's Google Toolbox,” a regular contributor to family history magazines, producer of the video series “Google Earth for Genealogy” and over 50 videos at the Genealogy Gems YouTube Channel, and a popular international speaker.

Family history has been Celia's passion since she first began tracing her own family tree as a teenager. After studying at the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, she gained a distinction in the Higher Certificate in Genealogy and runs her own company, HeritageFamilyHistory.co.uk, providing family history tuition and research services. Celia has recently launched a new online family history course (The e-Course) and her first book 'Tracing Family History Through Death Records' is due to be published by Pen and Sword books in early 2013.

Originally hailing from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, family historian Chris Paton’s ancestral roots come from across Ireland and Scotland. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies and runs the Scotland’s Greatest Story family history service (www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk). In addition to having penned seven family history based books, he regularly writes for much of the British and Irish genealogical press, as well as his own British Genes (Genealogy News and Events) blog at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk.

Chris also regularly teaches online Scottish based family history courses through Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd (www.pharostutors.com) and is a tutor on the postgraduate genealogy courses programme at the University of Strathclyde. He currently lives in North Ayrshire, in the west of Scotland.

Maureen Taylor 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. Maureen has been a photo dater and presenter for the last several years at Who Do You Think You Are Live.

Patricia Whatley is University Archivist & Head of Archive, Records Management and Museum Services and Director of the Centre for Information Studies at the University of Dundee, which offers a Master’s degree and diploma in family and local history by distance learning. She is a registered archivist, a history graduate and is about to submit a history PhD thesis. She is Chair of the Council of the Economic and Social History Society of Scotland, Vice-Chair of the Scottish Council on Archives, and a trustee of the Scottish Historical Review Trust. She regularly lectures and writes on history, archival and family history topics.

Chad Hanna, Vice President of Berkshire FHS and webmaster and Gillian Stevens, Chairman of the Berkshire FHS Computer Branch, both assist researchers with their family history in the society’s Research Centre.

Their own research extends across the majority of English and Welsh counties and Gillian with her one-name study is researching world-wide.

Simon Fowler is one of Britain's top family history researchers and writers specialising in military history. Trained as an archivist, he worked on and off for over thirty years at The National Archives as well as editing two family history magazines. He has written dozens of books and articles on all aspects of family history and military history, researched a wide range of subjects for clients from bombs down mine shafts to Battle of Britain heroes and has lectured on a wide variety of family history topics across the world.

Sarah Paterson is family history librarian at the Imperial War Museum and has worked there for 25 years. She is the author of 'Tracing Your Family History: Army' and edited the other books in this series. Her most recent book is 'Tracing Your Prisoner of War Ancestors: The First World War' and she is currently working on a companion volume for the Second World War.

Frances Casey is the Project Manager of the UK National Inventory of War Memorials, based at the Imperial War Museum.

By day, a healthcare professional, and by night, a family, local and landscape historian Carolines interest in family history was sparked 30 years ago after inheriting a ring worn during the Crimean War, and research has taken her to many corners of the UK.

She is now a trustee of her local FHS, where she uses her experience to seek to promote good practice, and assist enquirers with research problems. Caroline believes that through an informed understanding of source documents, researchers can deduce more from their work than just having a collection of names and dates.

Bob Cumberbatch has been actively researching for 13 years. He is researching everyone called Cumberbatch and his study is registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies. Bob’s role within the Guild of One-Name Studies is to help to educate the public on surnames and their origins. Bob is a member of the Society of Genealogists and a Committee Member of the Guild of One-Name Studies. He also helps on the “Ask The Experts” clinics providing help on Caribbean ancestry and other areas of genealogy. He is an “Ancestry Advocate” helping visitors to the Ancestry stand with their family history research.

Geoff Swinfield has been addicted to genealogy and family history since 1972. He has a Ph.D. in Genetics from Nottingham University and has used this training to apply genealogical techniques and sources to the study of families that are at risk from genetic diseases. He promotes the use of DNA tests in genealogical studies and has applied them in his own Swinfield one-name study.

Geoff has been a professional genealogist for over 30 years and since 1999 he has run his own business, Geoff Swinfield Genealogical Services (GSGS). One of his specialities is locating relatives, heirs to estate and missing people.

Janet Hovorka received a B.A. in History and a Master's in Library and Information Science from Brigham Young University. She and her husband Kim own Family Chart Masters, official printers for many genealogy software and database companies. Janet is passionate about the nutrition family history brings to the soul. Janet writes The Chart Chick blog and has written for numerous genealogy publications. She is currently serving as President of the Utah Genealogical Association and teaching genealogy at Salt Lake Community College. Janet has given thousands of lectures at genealogy conferences and loves working with genealogists - the greatest people in the world.

Daniel Horowitz is My Heritage Chief Genealogist, providing key contributions in the areas of product development, customer support and public affairs, contacting genealogy societies, bloggers and media. Daniel is also heading the company's translation department, where he has been instrumental in increasing My Heritage's global support to 38 languages. A power genealogist, researcher and lecturer himself, Daniel holds board level positions in numerous genealogical societies. With a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and a Specialisation in Education & Management of Educational Institutions, he has a deep understanding of the needs of today's genealogists.

Beryl has worked at the National Library of Wales since 1985, working in various posts relating to family history and public services. At present she is the Research Services Manager. Beryl has 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 different aspects of Welsh family history.

She is currently an Archives Liaison for the Federation of Family History Societies, Chairman of the Association of Family History Societies of Wales & Cardiganshire FHS and Executive Member of Dyfed FHS and Powys FHS.

Else Churchill is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists with over 30 years’ experience as a genealogical researcher, librarian, writer and teacher. She loves helping people trace their family history and is responsible for putting together the SoG’s talks at WDYTYA?Live.

Audrey was a freelance researcher for 15 years before joining The National Archives in 2002, where she currently works as a Family History Specialist. She is a regular speaker at family history events in the UK and worldwide, as well as on-site at The National Archives. She is also co-author with Dave Annal of the recently-published ‘Births, Marriages and Deaths: a guide for family historians’.

Audrie Reed is a film producer whose passion is to capture life stories and family history on film. She gives talks to local WI and other Women’s groups to inspire them to start capturing their stories and researching their family history. Audrie began her family history scrapbook over 5 years ago, to be handed down to her grandchildren and runs workshops to inspire others to create their very own family heirloom.

Norfolk-born John D Reid has been a family history researcher since retiring as a PhD atmospheric research scientist. He is a past President and member of the Hall of Fame of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) and a member of the Society of Genealogists. A frequent lecturer at family history conferences and monthly meetings in Canada, he writes for the Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy magazines, a regular quarterly column for BIFHSGO’s magazine, and has written for Family Tree and Your Family History magazines. He compiles a daily genealogy blog at www.anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com.

Alec Tritton is a former Chairman of the Federation of Family History Societies as well as the Guild of One-Name Studies. Former Vice-Chairman of the Society and currently member of the lectures working group as well as being Chairman of the Halsted Trust, who are organising an International Family History conference on migration - Exodus: Movement of the People, he lectures extensively in family history and social networking. He maintains the SoG Blogs, Hasted Trust website and their latest conference website www.exodus2013.co.uk.

Eileen Ó Dúill is a Certified Genealogist, specialising in probate genealogical research in Ireland since 1990. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland and is a Trustee for Britain and Ireland of the Association of Professional Genealogists of the USA.

Eileen has lectured at conferences in Ireland, the UK and the USA since 1999. She is a lecturer on the Diploma in Family History (Genealogy) offered by the Independent College in Dublin. In March 2011, Eileen teamed with Lou Szucs to provide a webinar on Irish genealogy for Ancestry.com.

Darris Williams was raised in Idaho, not far from Yellowstone Park. He lived in England for three years while serving in the Air Force and made several visits to archives, libraries and graveyards to trace his family history. After completion of a bachelor degree in Family and Community History at Brigham Young University, he studied at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1996. He has returned to England and Wales several times for research and published booklets of monumental inscriptions gathered during those trips. He has worked for FamilySearch as a British research specialist for 21 years.

Peter Bailey is Chairman of the ‘Families in British India Society’ and lectures and writes books and articles on Family History in British India. He has nine ancestors who lived over four generations in India, four of them in the army, either the East India Company Army, the Indian Army or the British Army serving in India. Peter has been a Member of the Society of Genealogists for over 40 years and has served as a Trustee.

Phoebe Merrick is the Convenor of the Friends of Botley Road Cemetery, Chairman of Romsey, Hampshire local history society (LTVAS Group) and a member of the Events Committee of the BALH. She has been working on the local history of Romsey for 40 years, and has helped many family historians in their research.

Despite her love of history, she taught maths for many years, then became a civil servant. Since reaching retirement age, she spents most of her spare time researching local history. She is currently transcribing manorial records from the 17th century, with a wealth of local names.

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

Bruce B Bishop born in Walsall, England. Spent 20 years as a meteorologist, and a similar length of time as a teacher at Gordonstoun School. Now a professional genealogist and researcher in archives, author of ‘Lost Moray and Nairn’ and ‘Lost Badenoch and Strathspey’ (Birlinn), and a series of booklets on the lands and people of the parishes of Moray and Banffshire. Chairman of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies and a member of ASGRA. Especially interested in the documentary records of the 18th century in Scotland

Michael Gandy is a Londoner and has been tracing his ancestry since 1963. He is a former Chairman of SoG and currently editor of 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.

Jackie Depelle is a full-time Family History Tutor and Lecturer, Chairman of the Yorkshire Group of Family History Societies, member of the Guild of One-Name Studies and Genealogy Event Organiser. During a twelve year teaching career in Family History, Jackie has developed a keen interest in spreading knowledge, enthusiasm and the skills needed to accurately record and research alongside a commitment to run specialist activities in and around Yorkshire.

Caroline Brown is Programme Leader for the Family History and Archive distance learning programmes offered by the Centre for Archive and Information Studies at the University of Dundee where she is also Deputy Archivist.

A graduate in history she is on the council of the Scottish Council on Archives, has served as Treasurer for the Scottish Records Association and regularly lectures on archive and sources for family and local history.

Bob Cumberbatch has been actively researching for 13 years. He is researching everyone called Cumberbatch and his study is registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies. Bob’s role within the Guild of One-Name Studies is to help to educate the public on surnames and their origins. Bob is a member of the Society of Genealogists and a Committee Member of the Guild of One-Name Studies. He also helps on the “Ask The Experts” clinics providing help on Caribbean ancestry and other areas of genealogy. He is an “Ancestry Advocate” helping visitors to the Ancestry stand with their family history research.

Launched in April 2012, Alistair is Managing Director of Britains DNA – a unique project set up to map the ancestry of Britain and find the genome of a nation. Alistair is also the author of many bestselling history books and in 2013 will be launching a new book, 'A People’s History Of Britain Told Through Their DNA'.

A former Director of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television, he now runs the Borders and Lennoxlove Book Festivals and Book Nation, a national literary project. He is also Rector of the University of St Andrews.

Gerry Toop joined The National Archives in June 1972. He is now a Reader Adviser in the Military, Maritime, Transport and Family History team in the Advice and Records Knowledge Department specialising in family history. He regularly appears at British genealogy fairs promoting The National Archives and gives talks in-house and at external events.

Dominic Johnson B.Sc L.H.G. a professional family historian, teacher and lecturer of family history of some 38 years standing who has held positions of responsibility in various organisations namely President of Nottingham FHS and Registrar of the Guild of One Name Studies. Military history and palaeography are both keen interests of Dominic.

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 has been a member of APGI since 1995, been on the council of APGI since 1997 and is currently their President.

Michael J. Leclerc is a popular story teller and presenter around the world on the subject of genealogical research. He is currently Chief Genealogist at Mocavo.co.uk, and serves on the board of the Association of Professional Genealogists (US). He is author of numerous articles in scholarly journals and popular magazines as well as author/editor of several research methodology books.

Eileen Ó Dúill is a Certified Genealogist, specialising in probate genealogical research in Ireland since 1990. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland and is a Trustee for Britain and Ireland of the Association of Professional Genealogists of the USA.

Eileen has lectured at conferences in Ireland, the UK and the USA since 1999. She is a lecturer on the Diploma in Family History (Genealogy) offered by the Independent College in Dublin. In March 2011, Eileen teamed with Lou Szucs to provide a webinar on Irish genealogy for Ancestry.com.

Coronation Street actor William Roach will be interviewed by Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine editor Sarah Williams.

Beryl has worked at the National Library of Wales since 1985, working in various posts relating to family history and public services. At present she is the Research Services Manager. Beryl has 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 different aspects of Welsh family history. She is currently an Archives Liaison for the Federation of Family History Societies, Chairman of the Association of Family History Societies of Wales & Cardiganshire FHS and Executive Member of Dyfed FHS and Powys FHS.