About Chris

 Chris has been active with many genealogical societies in the UK. He served on committees of the Society of Genealogists for over 18 years, and was Chairman for four years. He has also served as vice-Chairman of the Federation of Family History Societies.

He has been a regular speaker in the UK over the last 20 years and has also undertaken several lecture tours in the USA and in Australia and is due to undertake one in New Zealand in 2003. Perhaps you would like him to speak to your society.

Chris now works, part-time, as a Reader Adviser in the Research and Editorial Services Department of the Public Record Office.

Christopher and Michael are both family historians each with over 25 years experience. Until a few years ago, their full-time jobs did not allow them time to carry out significant work for others. Both are now "retired" and are able to apply their enormous pool of experience and skills to help others.

They are perhaps best known for their acclaimed books:

My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman. How do I find out more about him?
published by the Society of Genealogists. Currently out-of-print but a revised edition is due out later this year.
  My Ancestor was in the British Army. How do I find out more about him?
published by the Society of Genealogists. Currently out-of-print but a revised edition is being worked on.
  Records of Merchant Shipping and Seamen: Public Record Office Readers' Guide No. 20
written in conjunction with Kelvin Smith and published by the PRO

These are/will be available from good genealogical booksellers such as those run by the Society of Genealogists, the Public Record Office and Family Tree Magazine.

They have also published numerous articles, including several in the Genealogists' Magazine, on:

  • Merchant Seamen
  • Army ancestry
  • Company records
  • Legal proceedings

Their research experience in local records stretches from London and the home counties, north to Tyneside and Scotland, west to Devon and Cornwall and east to Norfolk. Overseas material has been sought in Germany, France, Holland, Australia, the USA and Canada.

Both have conducted night classes for beginners and advanced students, and have spoken on a range of genealogical topics.