I first became interested in family history when my grandmother inherited what she described as The Ring. She told us that it was a widows ring and had been handed down the female line, from mother to oldest daughter. As Grandma herself was the youngest of three sisters there were clearly discrepancies in the story. Twenty years later I have not yet got to the bottom of the origins, but I hope to do so one day.
I was furloughed from the travel industry for eighteen months during the Covid-19 pandemic, returning to work part-time for a short time before leaving to pursue genealogy full time. I began transcribing the gravestones for Find a Grave as a way of motivating my daily walks.
I hold The Family History Skills and Strategies (FHSS) Intermediate Certificate developed and taught jointly by Pharos and the Society of Genealogists. I also hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies with Strathclyde University. I plan to begin a Diploma course, in October 2024 and eventually a Masters degree. I work for the Society of Genealogists as events and education manager.