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Meet the Friends of Findmypast

At Findmypast, we're proud to collaborate with family history experts around the world to uncover amazing stories and share insider tips. Together, we're illuminating our ancestors’ lives, understanding our shared pasts and shaping our futures. Our Friends come from across Australia and New Zealand and share years of family history experience. Follow them online to stay informed and fascinated.

Helen Smith, Dragon Genealogy

Helen Smith

International speaker, author, and expert in Australian genealogy, Helen has a passion for using DNA and sharing the intricate history of Australia with researchers around the world. You can see where to catch her next at Dragon Genealogy | HVS Research.

Visit Dragon Genealogy
Therese Lynch, Your Family Genealogist

Therese Lynch

Professional genealogist at Your Family Genealogist, Therese started in family history when she saw a need for her family to remember her grandparents, “I decided then and there to get serious about researching, recording and sharing our family’s history.” Ask Therese about Catholic research and the Australian gold rush.

Your Family Genealogist
Vanessa Bland, Kindred Genealogy

Vanessa Bland

Storytelling comes to life on YouTube and Instagram, and with a fresh perspective on her family history finds, Vanessa offers a mix of discoveries and how-to tips that can assist any researcher in their efforts. See her videos on Kindred Genealogy, starting with this story about James Hardy Vaux.

Watch the video
Lorraine Newland, Remembering the Past – Australia.

Lorraine Newland

Creator of the insanely popular Remembering the Past – Australia Facebook group, Lorraine joins us to share fascinating social history and the extraordinary history of Australia and New Zealand. If you aren’t already a member of this outstanding community, you will be soon.

Join the Facebook group
Maggie Gaffney, MG Historical Research

Maggie Gaffney

After living in England for several years, Maggie is back in her native New Zealand and sharing her finds on her blog iwiKiwi. She has been exploring her English, Irish, and Scottish roots for years and takes great pride in her combined heritage.  Check her out as part of the team behind the #ANZAncestryTime chat on Twitter.

Visit iwiKiwi
Cathie Sherwood, Ancestor Discovery

Cathie Sherwood

Enthusiastic about Irish research? Cathie is, too. As an international speaker, and on her blog, Ancestor Discovery, Cathie shares her stories and methodology behind a wide variety of topics, including the British in India, Irish Quakers and Colonial Australia.

Visit Ancestor Discovery

When Friends become family...

Our Friends help spread the word about Findmypast in genealogy communities the world over. They can also help you unlock amazing family stories. Here's how.

Collage of a record, vintage map and a woman with jewellery drawn on her

The Friends' favourite records

Make Friends with Findmypast

If you think you’d make a great Friend of Findmypast, drop us a line at ambassadors@findmypast.com and we’ll be in touch. Feel free to include your current CV.

Findmypast and the Friends of Findmypast Global Ambassador program builds relationships with leaders in the field of genealogy and is an influencer marketing program. Participants are vetted before inclusion and adhere to regional and national guidelines appropriately. Content created by program participants will always include their status as an Ambassador and the appropriate hashtag (#FriendsofFindmypast and/or #sponsored). Friends of Findmypast receive complimentary access.