I started researching my own family history 20 years ago, in the days of manual census searches and exercise books full of notes! I have come to love genealogy, as it uses many of my particular skills. Not only have I always wanted to be a detective, but I have a degree in history from Cambridge University and have spent most of my working life as an archivist and internet researcher. I'm very thorough, have a great eye for detail, and, most of all, love a challenge!
Ancestors in my own family tree are mainly from England (Cumbria, London, Northumbria, and the Isle of Wight), but I also have early 20th century Jewish immigrants who came from Moldavia, Romania, and settled in London's East End. Whilst I loved researching the 11 generations of my own family tree, I find uncovering other family trees equally as captivating, and have gone on to research all or parts of many other people's histories.
Some of my favourite quests have been trying to find out the truth (or not!) behind family rumours - one client, for example, had a vague recollection that someone in his family had been attacked in a London park in the 1950s or 60s. I was able to find the article in the local newspaper and, by working through the births, marriages and deaths, prove that it was indeed his aunt. In my own family tree, there was a hint that an ancestor might have fallen foul of the law. I managed to not only find that he was found guilty in the 1920s of stealing a wallet, but that he was even deported to Boulogne as a result!
I live in the wonderful city of Cambridge with my teacher husband and young daughter. Apart from a couple of years in Milan, Italy, we have lived here for over twenty years. I speak fluent Italian, and love photography, cookery, word games and having a go at any craft activity going.
Naomi Davies, Cambridge
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