Continuing with its monthly programme of Zoom hosted talks on a range of family history related subjects, we were delighted to welcome Mia BENNETT to address our first meeting of the New Year.

Mia has followed in her ancestors’ footsteps as an engineer for her ‘paid’ job, including a spell on the Suffolk Coast at Sizewell ‘B’, and used her well-honed analytical skills to explore her own family history for some 25 years.  Her extensive genealogical credentials also include being a trustee of the Society of Genealogists (SoG) for more than five years, an associate of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA), an alumna of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and a current student of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS), Canterbury.

As if this wasn’t enough, Mia also runs a genealogical practice, providing family history research, DNA analysis and regular talks on a range of related subjects.

On this occasion, the very healthy audience of nearly 50 attendees, including a host of newly recruited members, were treated to an inspiring summary of a range of FREE family history research sources, often overlooked in favour of the better known commercial databases provided via subscription.  The range of these family history ‘nuggets’ was fully detailed in a comprehensive handout provided to attendees before the meeting, and Mia’s beautifully structured presentation included many examples tailored to her Alde Valley audience, alongside more remote locations.  

Following the event, feedback from attendees was unanimously positive, paving the way for a return ‘visit’ from Mia at a later date.    

Chris Broom

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Our January talk looks at free online sources that are often overlooked in preference for the main commercial genealogy websites.  It covers alternative sources of information for common record types, and some more unusual sources.  It also identifies some hidden records on popular websites.  The talk gives ideas of where else you could go to expand your hunt for your ancestors’ life story.

		Mia Bennett has followed in her ancestors’ footsteps as an engineer for her ‘paid’ job, but loves using her analysis skills to investigate the fascinating world of her relatives.  She has been researching her family history for 25 years, and has been a trustee of the Society of Genealogists for over five years.  She has run 'brickwall' work-shops, provided advice, and volunteered in the SoG library.  Mia carries out family history research and DNA analysis for clients, and is an Associate of The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA).  She gives talks on traditional genealogy and DNA, including at the SoG, Family Tree Live and on an Unlock the Past cruise.   She is an alumna of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and a current stu-dent of the Higher Certificate at the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies.
More information about Mia (or Amelia as she is formally known) can be found at her website www.miagenealogy.com.