Researching in West Yorkshire (Kirklees)

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.

Maureen is a retired teacher who took up genealogy in 2008. She became involved with HDFHS after attending a series of their study lectures.  She is a volunteer at the research room, a tutor for the Family History Beginner's course, a past Chair of the Society and is now Vice Chair and Transcriptions Co-ordinator.

Susan is a retired local government officer and started her family history in 2008.  This led to her taking on a committee role for HDFHS around 2013 and when she retired a couple of years later she devoted more time to volunteering in the research room and tutoring the Beginner’s Courses.  She has been the Secretary for 13 years and the Journal Editor for around 6 years.

Stefanie Davidson has been a professionally qualified archivist and records manager for nearly 30 years. Currently working at the West Yorkshire Archive Service with responsibility for collections management strategy and development across the county, she has previously worked in business archives and also in Scottish local authority archive services.

Dave Smith has been Heritage Quay’s Public Engagement Officer since 2014. Dave curates the archive’s exhibition programme as well as running events and programmes educating and inspiring staff, students and the general public. He coordinates Heritage Quay’s academic teaching programme and works with a wide range of external partners on historical or creative projects.

Jude Rhodes is Chair of the British Association for Local History Outreach Team.

She is a professional genealogist gaining the Advanced Certificate in Family History Skills and Strategies through Pharos Tutors and the Society of Genealogists. 

Humphrey Southall is a Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Portsmouth, he is an expert on the History of the North-South divide in Britain, gazetteers and geospatial ontologies and the role of travellers in the development of political life. He works with Dr Paula Aucott, they have been working together on the Great Britain Historical GIS project for over twenty years, and have been invited to present their research findings around the world. The main public interface to their work is the highly successful local history website A Vision of Britain through Time, which they continue to maintain and update.