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Gems of Genealogy

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Penzance
Gems of Genealogy

Genealogist & Family History and DNA tutor
**Not currently taking on private commissions**

18/10/2024

Where it began. And where it all ended.
St. Breock Church. Where great nanny Ann was baptised along with all her siblings, including older brother William and younger brother James.
Her brothers would later become infamous in Cornish history as the 'Wadebridge Murderers' for the highway robbery and murder of a local well respected and highly thought of gent, Neville Norway.
William and James Lightfoot were hung at Bodmin Gaol and said to have been buried in the jail's coal yard with no marking.
Their ex*****on was said to have drawn in a crowd of thousands who travelled in to Bodmin for the spectacle. Their trial had been standing room only, with people injured in the crush to enter. Bodmin was said to be bustling in the days leading up the ex*****on, with extra transport into town laid on especially and no room at any inn in town.
I have mixed feelings about my family being used as a spectacle in the Bodmin Gaol tour. I can't help thinking of Ann, their parents, and William and James's wives and children, no matter what the boys did to deserve their punishment, knowing that their loved ones death was so celebrated. James was just 23 when he was executed.

19/04/2024

Naughty Grandad. I'd have been a great getaway driver had I not opted for my current career 😁

31/03/2024

I say it all the time... DNA doesn't lie!

01/12/2023

What a stunning location for a teaching day! It was an honour to be invited to the beautiful village of Lerryn, East Cornwall where I presented to a local group of amateur genealogists today on the topic of DNA, in particular using shared matches and match clusters to identify links between individuals as well as examining double matching to individuals on both the paternal and maternal lines.

23/10/2023

DNA for Genealogy at Bodmin today

Student feedback:
"Interesting background information from the tutor and an engaging style"
"Confident presentation yet also easy going"
I'll take that!

12/09/2023

Touring a treasure trove today at the home of Cornwall's archives. I even got a 'shelfie'.

08/07/2023

Well that's it, the last DNA family mystery solved 🥳
I finally know who my grandmother's real father was. After much searching and scrutinising my DNA matches I have found you John Wren, my great grandad.
A sad story all round really, John ended up in the poorhouse at 6 years old abandoned by his parents. He was in such a poor state that he was described as 'vermin' 😭 Pictured is a cut from the admission book.
He stayed in the care of the state at various workhouses and industrial schools until he was 13 when he was sent to join the army. There he learnt to be a musician and served in India as a military bandsman.
Back in London after the great war he met my great grandmother, who was already married with two children but separated. They had another 7 children but sadly my great granny died when the youngest of those children was only 2 years old. So back in to the care system went the next generation😢
All these years later, secrets and false information exposed by me and my determination, not to cause shame but to find out who I really am and the true stories of my bloodline.

02/07/2023

Another DNA discovery 👏👏👏
I've just found a double connection to a family in Utah, USA who relate to me via both my maternal and paternal sides.
How random is it that two separate families from Northamptonshire and Sussex, UK both have descendants who connect with each other in Utah, USA and the South East of England some 200 years later.
My new DNA cousin is both my 5th cousin on my maternal side (his paternal side) and my 4th cousin 2 x removed on my paternal side (his maternal side)
So amazing!

30/03/2023

Some student feedback from my most recent courses in Kent, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

"You had obviously done a lot of preparation for your course, and you made it so interesting. I really enjoyed it, and it has set me off on the right track, which is exactly what I wanted"

"A very well run course with lots of information"

"Gemma’s depth of knowledge and practice is just phenomenal. Such a learning curve, thank you"

29/03/2023

I don't know why I've never done it before but I have finally ordered a mt-DNA test from FTDNA.
This mitochondrial DNA test examines ancient origins on the female ancestral line. Watch this space for the results 😊

18/03/2023

What an absolute pleasure and privilege it has been to be here on the beautiful Isles of Scilly to present a one day Introduction to Family History course.
My sincere thanks to Learn Scilly for the opportunity and to the lovely ladies who came along.
Isles of Scilly....... I will be back!

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About Gems of Genealogy

I started researching my own family history in 2001 after sorting through and becoming fascinated by my grandad’s old family photographs. I became hooked and set about adventures in the UK, USA and Australia to rediscover family stories and places associated with my family. I then went on to research for friends and work colleagues, going back in time and locating and reuniting living relatives.

In 2017 I graduated with a Master’s degree with merit in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde and begun, as well as private research commissions, teaching family history and DNA interpretation in local adult education in Kent and East Sussex.

Now in 2020 having re-located to Cornwall I have put private research and teaching on hold temporarily whilst I settle in and concentrate on researching my own Cornish ancestry. In due course I would like to teach again in Cornwall and will hopefully set up general family history classes as well as DNA sessions and one to one consultations.

Watch this space!