When my friend surprised me by finding a Robert Forester Mushet (not a relative) listing in
an encyclopedia when we were 12, it led me to start my own family research. My
grandparents migrated to Melbourne from Scotland 100 years ago next year. I have always
been proud of my Scottish heritage. In 1984 I travelled overseas for a year, visiting 24
countries. I realise now how lucky I was to research at the Edinburgh archives and climb
the vaults to view the original documents of my ancestors.

I am a member of the AIGS in Blackburn and volunteered there in past years. I have also
volunteered at the PROV (Public Record Office of Victoria) in North Melbourne and was
part of the prosecutions project. I have spent years trawling through records at the AIGS,
GSV, State Library and Mormon church records.

I have had extensive experience in British and Australian resources, including convict and
war records. I love technology and love the access we have to millions of digital records
around the world.

I studied a Diploma of Family History at UTAS during lockdown in Melbourne. I graduated
in July 2021 with credits and distinctions.

Four years ago, I set up my website and began tracing friends’ family trees and putting the
information into a published booklet. I use a variety of sources, from Ancestry.com,
newspapers, cemetery records, electoral rolls, directories and local family history museums.
I have written up 6 booklets now and they usually take over 6 months of research.
I became a grandma 3 years ago and thus my elderly parents became great-grandparents.
I have been amazed at how we can know family across generations in person, but also
learn about our ancestors through a range of extensive records. I am making it easy for my
descendants to know about their family history.

This year I have done a lot of research for clients with them getting their DNA done. I have
learnt how to interpret ancestry DNA results and use my research skills to confirm relation
of cousins. Through DNA research, I was able to discover a friend’s maternal grandmother’s
mother and another friend’s paternal grandfather.

Education
• Bachelor of Primary Teaching.
• Bachelor of Arts Degree Latrobe University, uncompleted.
• Diploma of Family History (University of Tasmania, 2021)