Welcome to Search My Past 
Dr. Penny Walters - international speaker and author

Forthcoming presentations 2024

• 16 April Shropshire FHS - Demystifying DNA testing

• 27 April - Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy - An introduction to Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG)

• 11 May - Birmingham FHS AGM 

• 13 May New Hampshire Society of Genealogists (NHSOG) - Ethical dilemmas in genealogy

• 14 May - Lancs FHS - Demystifying DNA testing

• 20 May - Alde Valley FHS online 2.30pm GMT - 1939 Register

• 4 June - Powys FHS - Flu pandemic of 1918

• 10 June - Bruce County GS - Demystifying DNA testing

• 25 June - Dorset FHS - Aspects of adoption

• 26 June (10.30am GMT) - Romsey U3A -

• 28-30 June - Ramapo Investigative Genetic Genealogy Conference (RIGG), Ramapo College of New Jersey 

  • Ethical dilemmas in IGG

  • The psychology of the fascination with FIGG

• 6-7 July - Hampshire FHS AGM - Ethical dilemmas in genealogy

• 23 September - Northants FHS - Incorporating social history into your tree

• 10 October - Society of Genealogists - Black British Family History

• 26 October - Society of Genealogists - There's no criminals in my family

• 7 December - Society of Genealogists - Aspects of adoption

 

Feedback

"I was happy to have finally met you in person. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about your talks and about your warm, wonderful personality." Ohio GS

The highlight of the conference for me, was Mixing DNA with a papertrail. I’m really useless with DNA so was keen to hear this talk. Dr. Walters was extremely engaging and entertaining, and was able to explain the complicated issue of DNA, so that even I could understand it. Really Useful Family History Show

"Penny did a great job explaining the UK Censuses. And her accent made listening even more fun." New Jersey G.S.

" I think your teachings are at the tip of the future - necessary and key to genealogy going forward with integrity!''  Seattle GS

''I have participated in this and several of your programs over the past few years. I am impressed by your clear-eyed and realistic presentation of the issues and considerations around adoption and reunion. Not something easy to do.'' Roots Tech attendee

'Many presenters are obviously reading from a script. Penny spoke as if she was with her best friends and is joyful in her voice.'' Ontario Ancestors

"I really enjoyed your presentation and the personal motivations and connections that you wove through it." Afro- American Genealogical Society (AAHGS) 

''Very knowledgeable. Her presentation was streamlined, and her delivery was excellent. I also enjoyed her little touches of humour.'' Ontario Ancestors

''Last night’s talk was brilliant. I’ve had several complimentary messages today from members and visitors. The most common comment was thought provoking.'' Fleet and Farnborough FHG

''It was a great presentation and very informative. You're going to be a hard act to follow according to all the raves in the chat.'' Browood FHS, Florida 

''Thanks for your extremely thought-provoking talk last night. I had a couple of members email me with their family history ethical dilemmas - and they weren't insignificant! You will be pleased to know that your talk attracted 72 people. We haven't had that many at a presentation before.'' Malvern FHS 

''Penny is a much respected writer and public speaker, particularly on DNA, adoption and moral dilemmas encountered during family history research. However, on this occasion, she took us on an engaging and enlightening journey through the decennial National Censuses of the UK'' Alde Valley Suffolk FHG

''I have just watched your DNA talk and must tell you how much I enjoyed it. For the first time I have understood some of the DNA mysteries I have chewed over for some time. Not least, some of your charts explain relationships brilliantly. The conference was excellent and your talk was definitely the highlight!'' RUFHS

''What a fascinating talk, and it was good to have the handout which enabled us to concentrate on the talk rather than trying to take notes at the same time.'' 

''Thank you for a great presentation. I'm certain I can fill in some blanks with the resources you passed along today.''  American-French Genealogy Society
‘'Thank you for a very informative session! There were points you made... that honestly I never asked myself. It is so important to make sure you share accurate information, be considerate in what you share, and how you share it.’' AAHGS

‘' You opened my eyes to several things to be cautious about when it comes to things I may take for granted in genealogy. Thank you for this information and for taking time to chat with me privately!’' AAHGS

''The speaker was so well organized. It made me think the whole time. Very good exercise for the brain.'' BIFHGSO attendee

''Your presentation was an interesting insight. I applaud your promotion of the links to and development of family history stories. I place more importance on this than collecting endless names for a family tree.'' Bob 

''I attended another one of your amazing webinars. I appreciate your warmth, sensitivity, ethics, and humor in your webinars.'' Barbara

''Thanks again for your talk, it went well and was attended well, it was our best so far.'' Peter

''Your Zoom talk prompted further discussion between us as to our own family ethical dilemmas. Such a fascinating and insightful talk and topic!''  Yvonne

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In-person and online presentations:

 

USA

• Roots Tech - in-person and online

• Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) Conference

• American-French Genealogical Society

• Association for the Advancement of Dutch American Studies 

• Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference, Kansas City - in-person

• Association of Professional Genealogists 

• Augusta Genealogical Society 

• Blogtalkradio

• Brigham Young University - in-person

• Broward County

• Chula Vista (California) Genealogical Society 

• Colorado APG

• East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference

• Evalogue Life

• GenFriends

• Glendora GS of California

• Heartland Family History Conference, Topeka (Kansas) Genealogical Society

• Hispanic America - Southern California (GSHA SC) 

• IAJGS Annual Conference(s) on Jewish Genealogy 

• Legacy

• Lee County Florida GS 

• New York FHS

• New Hampshire Library, USA 

• New Jersey Genealogical Society

• New York Genealogical and Biographical Society

• New York State annual conference - in-person

• Northeast Ohio GS 

• Ohio Genealogical Society 

• Ohio Genealogical Society annual conference, Cincinnati - in-person

• Ohio Genealogical Society annual conference, Cleveland - in-person

• Orange County California Genealogical Society

• Pima County (Arizona) DNA Special Interest Group

• Pinellas GS

• Portsmouth (USA) Public Library 

• Seattle Genealogical Society

• Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society

• Southern California Genealogy Jamboree

• Utah Genealogical Association (UGA) Pro Talk

• Utah Genealogical Association Summit of Excellence

• Virtual Genealogical Association VGA

• Virtual Celtic Connections Conference WISE (Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England) FHS 

• Vivid-Pix 

• Whittier GA

 

UK -

• Who Do You Think You Are, Birmingham - in-person

• Roots Tech London - in-person

• ABC FHS, N. Ireland 

• Adoption UK

• Airedale and Wharfedale Family History Society (FHS)

• Alde Valley Suffolk FHS

• Alton FHS

• Andover FHS 

• Bath FHS - in-person

• Berkshire FHS 

• Birmingham FHS - in-person

• Bolton FHS 

• Bristol University - in-person

• Bristol & Avon FHS

• Bristol U3A 

• Blackmore Vale FHS 

• Captivating Criminality Conference - in-person

• Chiltern Jewish Genealogy Society 

• Buckinghamshire FHS

• Calderdale FHS

• Chepstow U3A 

• International Association of Jewish Genealogy Societies - in-person

• Cheshire FHS 

• Chesterfield FHS

• Chippenham FHS

• Cleveland FHS

• Coventry FHS  

• Devon FHS 

• Devizes FHS 

• Dorset FHS

• Downend Bristol FHS

• East London FHS

• Essex FHS,

• Family Tree Live

• Fleet and Farnborough FHS - in-person

• Glamorgan FHS

• Family History Federation - in-person

• Federation Of Family Histories - in-person

• Folkestone FHS

• Glastonbury FHS - in-person

• Guild of One Name Studies Annual Conference - in-person

• Gwent FHS

• Hampshire (Romsey) FHS

• Herefordshire FHS

• Llandogo Womens Institute (WI)

• Malvern FHS

• Mirthy Events

• Norfolk FHS North of Ireland FHS

• Northants FHS 

• NW Kent FHS 

• Nottingham FHS 

• Oxfordshire FHS

• Peterborough FHS

• Powys FHS 

• Radio Wales

• Really Useful Family History Show

• Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) - in-person

• RestLess Events 

• Rugby FHS

• Ryedale FHS

• Secret Lives Conference - in-person

• Sheffield FHS

• Society of Genealogists - in-person

• Somerset & Dorset FHS - West Dorset branch

• Southampton FHS

• Stalbridge FHS

• Sussex FHS

• Swindon U3A - in-person

• The Name Event - in-person

• West Surrey FHS

• Wiltshire FHS

• South Bristol U3A - in-person

• Windsor FHS

• Yate FHS - in-person

• Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Family History Section

 

Ireland

• Back To Our Past, Cork - in-person

• Clans & Surnames, Nenagh - in-person

• Cork Foundation - in-person

• Daniel's Genealogy podcast

• Irish Famine Summer School, Roscommon - in-person

 

Canada

• Albuquerque Genealogical Society

• British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa

• Ontario Ancestors - Huron County Branch; Lambton branch; London Branch; Niagara branch; Quinte branch; York branch

• Ontario Genealogical Society 

• Quebec FHS

• Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society

• Whittier Area Genealogical Society 

 

Australia

• Family History Down Under Conference - in-person

• Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra

• New South Wales Annual Conference 

• Queensland FHS

• Society of Australian Genealogists

 

Mexico

• We Are Cousins Conference 

 

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