About Me

Genealogy

I run a genealogy and family history research business called New South Wales Genealogy, based in Sydney, Australia. I specialise in research into the records and history of New South Wales, the first colony of Australia. I also write a blog about researching NSW ancestors and genealogy in general called Genealogy in New South Wales.

I am a Councillor of the Society of Australian Genealogists and I help look after their computer network. The Society has an ever-growing collection of CDs on their network and loading and maintaining them is my main focus. I am also a member of the IT, Education, and other committees.

I am also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and currently serve on the Board of Directors as the member for my area. I believe that professional standards in genealogy are important and I learn a lot from other members.

I’ve studied psychology and genealogy and I firmly believe you can’t have one without the other. I believe that self-knowledge is crucial to a happy and fulfilling life and understanding your family’s history is indispensable to this self-knowledge. Who you are is linked to who your ancestors were.

Psychology

I have a Master of Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching) from the University of Sydney, completed in 2005, and Bachelor of Science from the same university. I’ve also completed a course in the applications of Positive Psychology. What I’ve learned has been incredibly useful in my life and in my research, even though I decided not to become an executive coach. I have recently (January 2010)  imported posts from my previous blog from 2007-2008, called Insightability, which reflects my interest in that area.

Information Technology

My previous career was in Information Technology, and although I don’t work in this area now I like to keep up with developments and try them out for myself. I am particularly interested in online social media and how it can be used for genealogical education and networking.

I started my first blog in 2007 (now imported into this one). I love the freedom you get writing in this way – as casual or as structured as you wish.

I then started a Facebook account, where my friends, old and new, can meet, and I’ve never looked back. It’s the best way I have found for keeping in contact with friends and relatives, near and distant, on a regular basis. It’s like we all live in the same small village!

I now have two Twitter accounts, a personal and business one, and I manage a third on behalf of the Society of Australian Genealogists. All welcome!

The blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts all seem to play well together.