Lectures and Talks

As a teacher with 30 years experience I am able to deliver interesting, well researched and entertaining talks and lectures. I can structure each talk to the length you require and I am happy to have a Question and Answer Session at the end if required. (If the talk is a charity fundraiser I only require expenses)

The Bragg Family ~ A tale of  Murder and Romance on the High Seas.

This talk tells the story of the descendants of William Bragg of Maryport. This piece of ‘straightforward’ genealogical research led to murder trials, shipwrecks, romance, bankruptcy, and Nobel Prizes.

How to begin Researching your Family

A beginner’s guide to starting to research your family, covering the basic techniques needed. This talk can be followed by a workshop or workshops.

How to start a Local History Project

A beginner’s guide to starting a Local History Project or Research Group. This fully illustrated talk introduces a plan showing how to undertake a piece of local history research.   This talk can be followed by a workshop or workshops.

How to a Research a WW1 Soldier

This detailed talk details how to go about researching a WW1 Soldier, seaman or airman. It covers where sources can be found, how they are accessed and shows how a good research plan produces good results!

WW1 and Carlisle Grammar School

This informative and surprising talk demonstrates how the men from one small community contributed to every aspect of WW1. Over 400 men from Carlisle Grammar School fought in WW1, 90 of them lost their lives they were soldiers, sailors (Merchant and Royal Navy), airman and diplomats. They died at home, as prisoners of war, at sea, in the air, in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East. The youngest was 19 and the oldest 47 years old. They included soldiers who fought for Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Their individual stories give an insightful picture of WW1.