My name is Brian Maclachlan, a retired Statistician and lecturer in Justice Studies, and I have been researching my ancestors for about 10 years and studying genealogy at the International Institute for Genealogical Studies, formerly the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, since 2015. I have now completed 10 genealogy certificates including country specific certificates for Australia, England, Ireland, Germany, Eastern Europe, Canada and the United States of America. My three other certificates cover Methodology, Professional Development and DNA and Genetic Genealogy. I have also completed all available courses on Scotland and Italy and will undertake the remaining 10 courses on these countries when they soon become available. The DNA and Genetic Genealogy certificate courses have proven invaluable with my understanding of the many matches that I have found on Ancestry and MyHeritage where I posted my DNA test results. While I don’t pretend to know everything I now, given my studies, supported by past and current research, that I could now consider myself to be a qualified genealogist.

I believe we can all gain from discussing our research issues with others and my philosophy in life is that you never stop learning while you are alive after which as an ancestor you may teach forever.

So, all I ask of you is, if you think I may be able to help you then please email me at dataedgegenealogy@gmail.com and tell me about the issue you have. If I don’t think I can help you I will tell you and the good thing is it won’t cost you anything for asking.