About the Speaker

Else Churchill

Else Churchill is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists in London. Formerly a professional genealogical librarian and researcher, Else has worked for the SoG since 1994. She is the Society’s subject lead, working across the organisation and runs the publishing programme. She was the recipient of the IHGS Julian Bickersteth Memorial Medal in 2023 for her exemplary contribution to family history studies.

About the Speaker

Carl Woods

Carl Woods is the current Chair of the Blackwood Branch of Gwent Family History Society. 

He began his family history journey during the Covid-19 pandemic when restrictions changed the way research would be carried out.  In 2021 Carl joined the Gwent Family History Society with the intention of expanding his knowledge about his family's history as he was stumbling along and making mistakes on his own.  One of Carl's most significant discoveries - responsible for a number of his brickwalls - was finding out that his grandfather had decided to add an “s” to the family name around the time he got married in the 1920’s. In terms of Carl's family history research, this, along with his association with the Family History Society, was a game changer! 

About the Speaker

Bec Howarth

Bec Howarth is Community Engagement Officer at Gwent Archives, a local authority archive in Ebbw Vale, South Wales which covers the counties of Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Newport, Blaenau Gwent and parts of Caerphilly. Whilst undertaking a PhD at University of Exeter, Bec realised they wanted to branch out beyond academia and pursue a career in the heritage sector. As Community Engagement Officer, Bec utilises both their academic training as a historian with their passion for historical collections and stories to engage local communities with their local archive service.