GeniMates News.

I've had a wonderful five week break visiting Europe and the US. I had intended sourcing and publishing some GeniMate profiles while I was away but visiting and learning about new places just got in the way.

While dining with an American couple one night on board ship I mentioned that I was obsessed by genealogy. The wife of the couple said that she wanted to get started but that it would be difficult because of her Japanese Heritage. I mentioned that I had a contact that might just be able to give her some assistance so I found Valerie Elkins' details from her GeniMates Profile, sought out the lady and passed them on. The lady was most grateful - I do hope she contacts Valerie.

On my return from overseas I was thriled to hear that my proposal to present on an International Panel with three of my GeniMates, Amy Coffin (USA), Audrey Collins (UK) and Joan Miller (Canada) at the Rootstech 2012 conference was accepted. I look forward to collaborating with these ladies on the presentation.

Early  in my trip I spent 2 1/2 days researching at The National Archives in Kew. I was so thrilled that  Family History Specialist, Audrey Collins, took time out of her busy day to have lunch with me and to seek me out for a second lunch  date. I enjoyed being able to share my enthusiasm about the finds I had made with the chirpy and friendly, Audrey. Having a friend in such a big institution enhances the experience of the visit.

Audrey Collins



Audrey Collins at The Planetarium

Another foreign visitor to the Rootstech Conference with whom I shared a glass of wine was Audrey Collins, Family History specialist at The National Archives (TNA) at Kew. I first had a chat with Audrey at the evening function at the Planetarium where she told me of some of the changes that had been introduced at TNA to make it more user-friendly since my visit in the early 2000s. As I am planning another visit in July this year I was keen to hear about these innovations. I had a number of chats with Audrey over the next few days and must say that I enjoyed the open, friendly, down-to-earth nature of this VIP in the genealogy world. We didn't just talk about genealogy but about families, kids and travel, Audrey is a gifted and amusing storyteller. 

Although she has no English ancestry Audrey is an expert in English genealogy. I discovered, when we were playing Jeopardy at Dinner with Dick after the conference, from one of her interjections that Audrey is actually a Scot.

Before she joined The National Archives (TNA) Audrey was a professional genealogist. She regularly records podcasts for TNA She has written a number of books on aspects of English genealogy, and contributed to several magazines.

Audrey's blog, The Family Recorder, where she writes about "that interest or amuse me, and that I think are worth sharing. They might be topical, or 'cold case', educational or trivial; the only rule is that they will have something to do with genealogy, is one of the favourites on my reading list.

While she was in Salt Lake City Audrey recorded a tutorial for the FamilySearch website and gave a talk at The Family Hisotry Library to library staff and the public. "Having heavily used FamilySearch resources free of charge for over 20 years, whenever I am in Salt Lake City I like to give something back."

POSTSCRIPT. Chris Paton of Scottish Genes has just posted to Youtube a video interview he made with Audrey at the WDYTYA Live event in the UK last week. I am posting the video here so you can see and hear Audrey.