Lorna Emms, of Bluebell Family History Research, is a genealogist and family historian now based in Shropshire, England after growing up in Kent and then spending time in Gloucestershire. She has been researching her ancestral farming families, originating from South East Kent, for over twenty years.
Tracing the lives of these individuals had taken her investigations and learning global even before DNA matches helped confirm the connections established. However, it also showed how interrelated these family branches were and so she understands the complexities relating to groups of people who span generations in the same region.
Lorna has built upon her personal investigations to expand knowledge in many directions. Just a few of the specific topics she has looked at includes military records and refugee movements of World War II, endogamy versus pedigree collapse, photography studios, England and Wales census foibles, the Irish War of Independence and Cardiff from 1860 to 1900.
Bringing skills and experience from her finance based roles Lorna is used to the need for professionalism, confidentiality, accuracy, verification and secure data handling that is essential in genealogical client work. She also understands the need to be inclusive and explain technical jargon in a suitable format for all audiences.
Lorna is currently studying the Higher Certificate in Genealogy Course with The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies [IHGS]. Additionally, a Student Member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists [RQG] and part of other groups including Pro-Am Genies, Kent Family History Society and Shropshire Family History Society.
Also, as part of Continuing Professional Development [CPD] she continues to keep abreast of new developments and record releases in the Genealogy world. This is partly by attending webinars and listening to podcasts but also by learning from fellow family history researchers around the world.