About Me

I spent many hours sucking my teeth and trying to come up with a meaningful title/mascot for my blog that would give some insight into my background and approach to the absorbing hobby of family history.

I live in Brisbane, Australia and the Graceful Treefrog is the faunal emblem of Brisbane.

Whilst I don't want you to think that I jump to conclusions in my family history research, it is fair to say that I probably do tend to jump around a bit in terms of location. My husband's and my own family tree can take me anywhere from Brisbane to Barbados and to Britain with a few other places in between.

Growing up I enjoyed watching The Muppets with my mother and laughing at dear earnest Kermit and all the other crazy characters such as Miss Piggy. I hope that I can be as earnest, conscientious and sensitive as Kermit in my reporting of family history research.

Sometimes I might be a bit of a lost frog - being whisked away by other tasty pursuits such as knitting or reading or studying. Bear with me won't you?  I have been fascinated by the hobby of family history for a very long time...since my early 20s in fact and I am much older than that now.  I'd like to think that 30 years of effort might make me an expert but sadly I still feel very much a newbie in this world which is so rich in resources, techniques and players.  

Along the way I have studied an Arts Degree, majoring in Sociology, a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management and a Master of Information Studies in Librarianship.  The more I learn, the less certain I feel.  C'est la vie !  I have benefited from undertaking short courses with Pharos Tutors, seminars at my local family history society and other wonderful providers like local public libraries and Unlock the Past.

I have taken on a number of voluntary roles at my family history society from running the bookshop, being Secretary, indexing, coordinating the Research Team and being a library assistant.  It takes an army of volunteers to keep the Society going and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Blogging has put me in touch with wonderfully generous people who freely share their discoveries, talents and good humour.

Work-wise, I fell into behind-the-scenes positions in public broadcasting such as PR, scheduling, transmission and production.  From there I moved into the wonderful world of Professional Development and Training helping to build a fledgling film industry in Queensland. Finally, at the age of 50, I moved into a new career in Libraryland where I am very very happy and feel very very lucky to be surrounded by all the things I love the most.

I am married to the world's most patient man and have two beautiful grown children.

My life is enriched by good dear friends, an endless supply of books and fine wool.

I dream of going on a genealogy cruise and having a cat - not necessarily at the same time - one day!

Want to contact me? Email me at alexdaw25[at] gmail [dot] com

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