What’s On at Midland Ancestors –
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Breaking Down Brick Walls: Zoom
As this is an online event, you will need to register your interest via the link below:
Click here to register for this meeting before 7th February 2026
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Please use the email address we have on record as your credentials will be checked before allowing you into the session. There will be a cut off time of 30 minutes prior to the start time of the event to register.
If anyone would like assistance with joining the on-line Zoom sessions, please contact the General Secretary or “MA-IT support” itsupport@midanc.uk
Title: Breaking Down Brick Walls: Methods and Skills
Speaker: Mike Sharpe
All of us encounter ‘brick walls’ in our research. Indeed, it can be argued that
every research line ends with a brick wall at some point. Going back to
basics, professional genealogist Mike Sharpe will look at theoretical
concepts for our research, as well as some practical approaches and skills for
becoming a better researcher.
Aspects discussed will include:-
using online information; reading old handwriting; understanding local context; making
the most of archives; family reconstitution; and using DNA in our research.
Mike Sharpe is a professional genealogist, writer and lecturer and runs
Writing the Past, a family history research and writing service. He is a
Member of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives
(AGRA), the Society of Genealogists, as well as a Trustee and Vice-Chair,
Genealogy for Midland Ancestors. He writes for family history magazines
and is the author of three books on family history.