Who is the Tuatara2 Genealogist?

I have always been interested in family history and loved sitting with my grandmother while she explained who was in all her family photographs.

As a New Zealander, I am proud that my family arrived on first ships and of my Māori heritage from my father. My blonde hair comes from my mother’s side of the family.

Living in England, I wanted my children to be aware of their cultural heritage and my personal research began 25 years ago with my first child. I was surprised that some of my relatives had been born in South Africa during the Boer War.

Now I am studying for my Higher Certificate in Genealogy with The Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, volunteering for my local family history society and actively researching local history for my area.

I understand the importance of the small details in family history research and how difficult it is to research from overseas.

And as for the tuatara …. it is a reptile that is only found in New Zealand and means ‘peaks on the back’ in the Māori language.