Publications and Talks
Michael writes and lectures on genealogy and family history and gives talks to both specialist groups and general audiences.
His latest book, Tracing Your Potteries Ancestors is a self-help guide to family history in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. It follows the success of his previous book Tracing Your Birmingham Ancestors, which provides a comprehensive guide to family history research within Britain's second city. Both are published by Pen & Sword.
Mike has a special interest in the history of the family history field itself and has published two books on the subject:
- Family Matters: A History of Genealogy covers 200 years of the development of family history, telling the story of how genealogy evolved from a genteel pursuit of the landed and professional classes to a popular activity enjoyed by millions. (Pen & Sword, 2011. Further details on the Family Matters pages).
- The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry: A 50th Anniversary History tells the story of the first local family history society, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. (BMSGH, 2013)
Mike is available to do talks, lectures and articles based on his research. These range from practical aspects of genealogy to stories from his own family history:
- Starting Your Family Tree
- Writing Your Family History
- Researching Before 1837
- Breaking Down Brickwalls in Your Research
- Researching Your Birmingham Ancestors
- Researching Your Midland Ancestors (Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire) - or any county individually
- The Quarter Sessions
- Wills and Family History
- The History of Genealogy
- The History of Feckenham Forest
- The Girl Who Was Counted Twice (A Census Story)
Based on previous research, he is also able to speak on specific themes relating to the history of genealogy and the public records:
- Victorian Genealogy
- History of the Public Records
- Family History and the Media
- Computers in Family History
- Commercialisation of Genealogy and the Rise of Internet Businesses.
