Paul Milner

	Paul Milner
	Paul Milner is a professional genealogist and lecturer. He is a native of northern England and has specialized in British Isles genealogical research for the past 18 years. He was raised in England and settled in the United States in 1975. Paul is a communication professional and has been designing workshops and lecturing to a wide variety of audiences for 23 years. He also holds a degree in Theology and is particularly knowledgeable about the church and its role in record keeping. As a genealogist he speaks on a variety of topics relating to research in the British Isles, the U.S. and research methodology.

British Isles
New Resources for British Isles Research	Learn what new primary and secondary sources have become available and how to access them. Keep up to date on the constantly changing face of British Isles research.
Are you Lost? Using Maps, Gazetteers and Directories for British Isles Research	Learn what maps, gazetteers and directories are available for researching your ancestors in the British Isles. Learn from examples how to make good use of these tools to find where your ancestors are, what they did, when, where, and why they may have moved.
Follow Your Migrating Ancestors	Our ancestors moved over long and short distances within the British Isles. See examples of the records that show where our ancestors moved, where they went, and often why they moved as well.
Tips for Organizing Your Research Trip to the British Isles	Learn lots of practical do’s and don’t’s for your research trip to the British Isles. See how to plan your schedule in advance based upon your research needs.

England and Wales
Finding Your Ancestors in England and Wales	This is a good overview of procedures to follow in performing English and Welsh research. Lots of examples illustrate the wide variety of records that can be utilized in the research process.
Buried Treasures: What’s in the English Parish	The English parish was both an ecclesiastical and a civil jurisdiction. Both jurisdictions created informative records and kept them in the Parish Chest. This presentation will examine the breadth and wealth of information that can be found, going well beyond the baptism, marriage and burial registers.
Finding Your Ancestors in the British Military	Learn about the organization of the British military and procedures for tracing officers and enlisted men. See examples of the wealth of genealogical information the records contain and how to access that information.
Tips and tools for doing Urban Research in England	When researching in any major urban area it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of people present. See examples and learn about the tools and resources that are available for research in urban areas in England. Learn which resources are appropriate for a particular time in history.
Making Sense of the English Census	Learn the how to perform searches in and utilize the information contained in the 1841-1891 English census returns. See the value of pre-1841 census lists.
English Civil Registration: Tips for use and problem solving	Learn the process by which English vital records (birth, marriage and death) are created and collected. See examples of the information they contain and the problems they can create. Learn how to access the national indexes and economically obtain certificates.
Tips and Tools for Navigating the English Probate System	Learn how the English probate system works and what records it contains. Learn tips and tools for procedures which will simplify the search process, whether the ancestor’s location in England is known or unknown.
English Marriage Practices and Records	This presentation will examine how marriage practices changed through time, due to customs and the law. Marriage by banns and by license created records rich in family information. The lecture will include examples of these records and will teach participants how to use them to find a missing marriage. Participants will also learn the different types of irregular and clandestine marriages and the effect that they have on research.

Scotland
Finding Your Ancestors in Scotland	This is a good overview of procedures to follow in performing Scottish research. Lots of examples illustrate the wide variety of records that can be utilized in the research process.
Finding Your Scottish Ancestors in the British Military	Learn about the organization of the British military and procedures for tracing officers and enlisted men. See Scottish examples of the wealth of genealogical information the records contain and how to access them.
Making Sense of the Census	Learn the how to perform searches in and utilize the information contained in the 1841-1891 Scottish census returns. See the value of pre-1841 census lists.
Scottish Emigration to North America: Before, During and After the Rebellions	Learn the reasons for emigration from Scotland to the U.S. and Canada and how it was affected by political events on both sides of the Atlantic. Learn where the emigrants settled, what records they created and what tools are available for tracing your Scottish ancestors.
Tracing Your Scotch-Irish Ancestors	Learn about the origins of the Scotch-Irish and their settlement in Ireland. Learn when and why they migrated to North America and what records they generated in the process that can assist you in your research.
Tracing the Scots in US Records	An overview of U.S. records and research procedures with a special emphasis on unique sources for finding Scottish ancestors.

Ireland
Finding Your Ancestors in Ireland	This is a good overview of procedures to follow in performing Irish research. Lots of examples illustrate the wide variety of records that can be utilized in the research process.
Irish Emigrants to North America: Before, During and After the Famine	Learn about the routes taken and the reasons for the emigration from Ireland to the U.S. and Canada before, during and after the famine. Learn how this mass movement of people can affect your research, plus what tools and records are available to trace your Irish ancestor.
Finding Your Irish Ancestors in the British Military	Learn about the organization of the British military and procedures for tracing officers and enlisted men. See Irish examples of the wealth of genealogical information the records contain and how to access them.
Irish Taxpayers: 1820-1864	Learn how to search the Householders Index to access your Irish taxpayers in the Tithe Applotment Books and Griffiths Primary Valuation. See and understand the wealth of information that can be found and utilized in these important resources.
Tracing Your Ulster-Irish Ancestors	Learn about the origins of the Ulster-Irish and their settlement in Ireland. Learn when and why they migrated to North America and what records they generated in the process that can assist you in your research.
Tracing the Irish in U.S. Records	An overview of U.S. records and research procedures with a special emphasis on unique sources for finding Irish ancestors.

Methodology
How to Build a Personal Genealogical Reference Library	Learn what books or types of books and resources you should include in building your personal genealogical reference library. A special emphasis will be given to new resources on the market. Suggestions will be made on how to get the most out of your library and use it for your own continuing education.
Overcoming the Dead End Doldrums	All researchers at some time enter the doldrums and feel they have reached a dead end in tracing a particular line. Learn clear steps to overcome the doldrums and get around the dead end.
Organizing the Search	Learn how to systematically organize the information located about our ancestors. Develop a clear search strategy for examining a variety of source material to find the missing documentation and information.
A New Location: Steps for Quickly Getting Started	Tracing our ancestors takes us back in time to many different locations. Learn strategies to assist you in systematically approaching a new location to quickly identify primary and secondary sources appropriate for your research. Learn ways of getting access to these resources, especially when operating at a distance.
Stand and Deliver: Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills	Learn and practice some simple techniques for improving your public speaking skills. These techniques are useful whether you are making an hour presentation or a short announcement at your society meeting.
Tips for Improving your Genealogical Lecturing Skills	Learn tips and procedures for improving your genealogical lecturing skills. We will examine physical presence and appearance, body language, eye contact, voice control, advance preparation, and presentation materials.
Tips for Getting Started as a Genealogical Speaker	This presentation will provide tips on how to get started as a genealogical speaker. Learn how to identify your areas of expertise and how to design a presentation that takes advantage of your personal presentation style. Learn then how to market your expertise locally, regionally or nationally.

Banquet or Luncheon Presentations
Myths about Immigration	A humorous look at the myths genealogists create and perpetuate surrounding the problems of getting their ancestors back across the ocean.
Do We Really Want to Know About Our Ancestors?	A humorous look at the actions and motives of our ancestors as recorded in the records our ancestors left behind.

Individual Consultations - Meet the Expert

Depending upon the organization of your event individual consultations can be arranged through a sign-up schedule, either before, during or after the conference. In these consultations individuals would come prepared with specific research questions and suggestions would be made on next steps they can take to solve their problems. The consultations can be in 15, 20 or 30 minute segments depending upon the experience of your audience, and the time available. A separate fee would be charged to the individuals for the consultations.

New Lectures

New lectures are being created all the time. If you have a specific topic that you would like addressed, please ask. If your conference has a specific theme the current lectures can be adjusted to meet that theme or new lectures can be created for your benefit. Please do ask if you have a concern or idea.

Speaking Highlights

Federation of Genealogical Societies conferences (1996-) Illinois State Genealogical Society Florida State Genealogical Society St. Louis Genealogical Society Hamilton County Genealogical Society (OH)

Memberships

Federation of Genealogical Societies Board Member (1996-) Genealogical Speakers Guild Board Delegate (1996-) Association of Professional Genealogists British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois (BIGWILL) President (1993-) British Isles Family History Society - USA Society of Genealogists (London)

Publications

FGS FORUM Book Review Editor BIGWILL Newsletter Editor

Published Articles BIGWILL Newsletter British Isles Family History Society - USA Journal Ancestry APG Quarterly

The Bottom Line

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