Helen Smith

The Family Went Everywhere Man – Sideways Research

Between 1815 and 1914, around ten million people emigrated from Britain. About half went to the USA, then Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Many were single, particularly younger males, and nuclear families (Dad, Mum, children)–all looking to improve their prospects. This often led to chain migration. Often there was a “push” such as depressed economy and lack of work, which encouraged people to leave. The choice as to which place to go could depend on if there was any assistance for the passage being offered. This can mean it is not uncommon for members of the same family to emigrate to different countries. It can be very useful to the genealogist to research the different sibling/family destinations, particularly if your ancestor has gone to a country without early vital record registration.

Bio

Helen V. Smith has been researching since 1986 in Australia, England, Ireland and Wales with forays into Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand, chasing  her wandering relatives. She has registered the surname Quested with the Guild of One Name Studies and has researched them around the world. She is a professional researcher actively involved in genetic genealogy since 2011, helping people looking for biological family as well as those trying to make sense of their DNA results. She has been presenting since 1992 and has presented in Australia, England, Canada,  USA, and aboard many genealogical cruises.

She’s the author of Death Certificates and Archaic Medical Terms and Google the Genealogist’s Friend and has written for a number of family history as well as scientific publications. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and Genealogical Speakers Guild.

She is also a public health microbiologist and molecular epidemiologist since 1986.

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