My first involvement in genealogy was as a teenager, when my sisters and I were taken to St. Catherine's House and challenged by our father to find out something about our own family history - Smith being my maiden name, that was quite a challenge! From that day forward I have been hooked. Genealogy and social history have been obsessions for more than 45 years and, as well as having an extensively researched family history of my own, I have an increasing collection for surnames Giltrap and Waymark (and their variants).
I am an Associate of AGRA (Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives) - the professional body for genealogists in the UK - and fully support its Code of Practice. I am also a Member of the Society of Genealogists, a Member of the Guild of One-Name Studies and a Founder Member of the Great War Group.
You can see my profile on the AGRA website here:
As a mathematician with a passion for history, I approach genealogical problems forensically and with an eye for detail, considering and weighing up all evidence before drawing any conclusions.
Branches of my family come from London (north and south of the river) and from Ireland (Dublin and County Wicklow); I also have family connections to Kent, Devon, the Lake District, Myanmar (Burma) and Gibraltar. I live in the East Midlands and enjoy visits to archives across the region. In short, I have undertaken genealogical research in archives all over the UK and used resources found only outside of the UK. I have the experience to know what records might be available and where they are to be found.
My own family history includes a significant number of military ancestors, with family members buried in or commemorated at Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemeteries and memorials across Belgium, France and the UK. I am an experienced researcher of 19th and 20th Century military history and have a particular interest in the First World War; I am a 'regular' at the National Archives, Kew.
I am a retired deputy head (curriculum) and teacher of mathematics and I now volunteer at the same school as a Royal Navy officer with the Combined Cadet Force.
Thank you for visiting the Waymark Genealogy website.
Please do get in touch to enquire about any of the Waymark Genealogy research services.
Best wishes
Lorraine Johnson
Waymark Genealogy