About Me

My name is Theresa Green and I have worked in research for over 40 years, during which time I have built up formidable skill sets on how to track down all kinds of difficult material, from chemical compositions to technical standards, and I pride myself on being the industry’s “go-to” person when they need help. I currently work part time for the same company, having part-retired a few years ago. I have been able to transfer these abilities to what has become my passion – family history – and that has led me to the most amazing discoveries of my own as I discovered my roots. Knowing that, and my family’s struggles over time, has changed me for the better.

What first took my interest in family history was a simple question I asked my mother back in 1993.  “When was my nan born?” I asked her.  I was astonished when she said: “I’ve no idea – how should I know?” she replied.  Nan had died in 1976.  “But what did you put on her death certificate?” I asked……”Oh, I took a guess”.  I was truly shocked that my mother didn’t know her own mother’s age.  But having lived with my Nan when I was young, I knew she was the type of lady who would never, under any circumstances, revealed her age.  I then made it my business to find out.  Knowing my way around a library, I knew there would be a BMD index somewhere.  You should remember that in 1993, there was no internet (how did we manage?), no Google…. that was a few years away.  So to begin with, there was only the telephone, or snail-mail.  I took a guess and started to look for nan’s birth from 1900.  The BMD index is cross-referenced by both parents, so it is possible to check you have the right person.

I eventually found her birth recorded in 1905.  I then had the reference numbers needed to apply for a copy of her birth certificate – which I did and when it arrived, that was another shock to us all, especially my mother.  Mum was born in Penarth, near Cardiff in 1930.  As far as she knew her family were pure Welsh through and through.  She was so proud of her Welsh heritage she would stand and sing the National Anthem when the Welsh Rugby team came on tv.  I sat her down and asked her if she knew anything about her grandmother – she did not as she had died before mum was born.  I then read out nan’s details.  True, nan was born in Penarth – but her parents were named as Daniel Maloney and Catherine Danehy.  “These don’t sound like typical Welsh names to me mum……I believe you’re half Irish!”  Well, you could have knocked her down with a feather!  “But how can that be?” she asked.  I didn’t know then but I certainly do now.  Over time, I discovered that mum’s Irish grandparents originated from Cork.  They came over to Wales during the tragedy that was the Potato Famine (late 1840s).  They were put off the ship by a kindly captain at Lavernock Point, just outside Cardiff.  The captain knew the Welsh were “stoning” the Irish as they disembarked – the locals were fearful that the Irish would take their jobs and undercut their wages.

The Danehy’s lived in caves until the family all found jobs on local farms.  They soon had the means to rent a small cottage.  And that was the start of mum’s Welsh roots.  All this information was discovered using the telephone, visiting archives, and posting letters – so when the Internet appeared a few years later it was a small miracle to people like me, who by this time was truly addicted to family history.  I call it “family history” rather than “genealogy” because Genealogists dig up the bones…..but it is a family historian who puts meat on those bones!

As time passed, I realised I had learned an awful lot over the years.  But I also know that no one ever knows everything about a topic; the subject is so vast it would be impossible to know it all. Family history covers 1000 years of documentation on history, wars, famines, disasters and events too numerous to mention here – take a look at the website of the National Archives and you’ll see what I mean.  That said, I came to realise I was proficient in many areas but I needed to know more.

I searched for an accredited suitable course I could take that would provide me with a good qualification.  However, that was a hurdle; there were no courses in the local University; none in the local colleges; the Open University did not cover the subject and not even family history societies provided such a thing (apart from local talks given now and again) – and then I found…..the IHGS – Institute of Heraldic & Genealogical Studies based in Canterbury.  They had an on-line accredited course which I enrolled for and subsequently attained the “Higher Certificate in Genealogy”.  You will find my name listed on their graduation pages: https://www.ihgs.ac.uk/about-graduates – for anyone seriously interested in the courses they provide, please do take a look – you will learn much more than you dreamed.  Once I had my qualification I then started to offer my services publicly.  My website was compiled in 2015 – and the version you are looking at today has recently been re-vamped, to bring it more up-to-date.

I still enjoy working for my long-time employer – but most of  my time is spent on my family, which consists of 3 amazing children, 3 fantastic grandchildren, and 2 adorable great grandchildren, not forgetting my hubby of course!  Every other spare minute is spent researching family history.  I’ve had the privilege to work for some wonderful people, and introduce them to their ancestors!

I have unravelled family secrets long deemed “unfathomable” – I even found a client’s mother (in Australia) who she hadn’t seen in 55 years, and never expected to!  The pair subsequently had the most amazing reunion in Australia!  I can’t promise amazing results every time, but I do my best!

I only make a charge for my time if I feel I can be of use.  I carefully assess the problem before I begin and by then have a good idea of what needs to be done, and where to look for information.  I am also happy to point you in the right direction if I am unable to assist – so please feel free to contact me with any genealogy query – small or large (or just a question if you’re struggling with some particular issue).  I can provide full “direct line” family history reports (the best place to start) which will take a parent’s surname (either father or mother) and can usually go back in time to the 17^th century covering things like civil records; parish records; local records; land and tax records; newspaper archives; poor law records/settlement certificates (all part of the parish chest) and many other sources.  Or I can provide a “one-off” service if you need just one answer.  Either way, please do drop me an email.  I usually respond the same day (or within 24h). 

Happy hunting fellow historians.