Who Am I?
My name is Samantha John. I am British-born but have been living in Australia for many years. Leaving my extended family behind as a child left me with a yearning to know more, and so my passion for genealogy began at a young age.
Why Did I Move into Professional Genealogy?
After more than 35 years of pursuing family history as a hobby and working on my own tree
My learning continues constantly. Since completing the diploma above, I’ve also added four Professional Learning Certificates in Genealogical Studies from the International Institute of Genealogical Studies in Methodology, Irish records, Australian records and Genetic Genealogy (all completed with Distinction). I am now tackling the English and Scottish Certificates!
I am a member of the Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (the accrediting body for professionals in Australasia) and also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (the global professional association).
What Genealogy Experience Do I Have?
My experience began with English genealogy, as that is where my most recent ancestors came from, mostly around the Midlands area. I have many many resources and quite a bit of local knowledge (both from research and regular visits) to help those who are looking in this area. However, as my tree went back further generations, the roots spread wider and cover most areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
I married an Australian man whose family had mostly been in the country since the earliest days of settlement, one way or another (you will no doubt hear some stories as my blog progresses!). So for the past 30+ years, I’ve also been working on Australian family histories – his family and many friends and others who have needed help untangling their branches.
Other research has led me into the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany (I knew that high school German would come in handy one day!), colonial India, the West Indies and many other points on the globe. Genealogy has a great way of bringing places, people and history to life.
I’m not just selling stuff!
This blog is not intended as somewhere for me to just shamelessly promote myself and my research service. I hope to regularly bring you useful content for assisting with your own journey, and a little bit of entertainment. I would love to make it a conversation via the comments section below, or you can message me privately if you wish. Please subscribe and feel free to participate, I look forward to getting to know you!
Living on the outskirts of London, England but having roots in Devon, Sussex and Dudley, and with loads of relations and ancestors in Australia, Canada and USA, it’s good to get another perspective on family history.
Your blog was recommended by someone who ran a workshop at North West Kent FHS a week ago. I always tell newcomers to family history to join a local FHS and use the expertise of the membership. Convincing people that it’s not all on the web is the hardest thing today!
Hello Victor,
Lovely to have you drop by and it’s good to know my blog is considered recommended reading! Yes, I agree totally, it’s important to remind people that there is still so much to be found offline. Genealogy will never be a ‘web-only’ hobby, no matter how many fantastic resources get digitised and uploaded! Feel free to stick around, subscribe and comment – I shall endeavour to keep the content coming regularly and wave the flag for resources everywhere.
Your family’s history seems to replicate my own.
My uncle emigrated to Australia before the 1st W.W and in doing so started a new line of his family tree.
I have recently been in contact with a distant cousin of mine, he being my Uncle’s grandson who lives in Ceres just outside Geelong.
Your article on the Field family set my senses tingling.
My Grandfather married a Esther Field going on to raise children in Cotteridge (Kings Norton)
She died in 1935 and along with my Grandfather are buried in the plots in front of the old Kings Norton Church.
The significant part about this is, (A) Its a Prominent part of the churchyard amongst much older plots, and (B) Its pushed up against a plot containing a Thomas Field no dates-Mary Field 1754-1822-Mary(Field)Wharton 1782-1810-William Field 1801-1810.
John Field 1799-1877 and his wife Sarah 1796-1877 who both had a daughter E.Field.
My feeling is that for my grandparents to be buried in such a prominent part of the churchyard up against people of the the Field name, indicates to me that they had to be relatives, and with the history of the Field family being prominent the past history of Kings Norton might well be also related.
With your extensive Knowledge of the area, even though you are in Australia you may be able to prove or disprove the connection.
I look forward to your response
Hi David,
How interesting! I’m sure they’re probably linked together, an ongoing project is to try to tease apart all the local intertwined Field families. I will certainly keep an eye out for your Esther!
Cheers
Samantha