I was born Diane Moloney in Liverpool in 1953. A bright sunny May morning on a weekend that Elizabeth would be crowned Queen of England. At 33 years of age I married Brian Marelli and settled into the life I had always longed for. When my father-in-law Albert William Marelli died in June 1998, the experience awakened earlier grief and moved me to delve firstly into my husband’s family history and then into my own. The more successful I became with my research, the more my circle of friends, family, colleagues and their friends wanted to know how to do it. I had picked up so much basic information which other people wanted to learn from me that I was inspired to starting writing about my experiences.
Family research never stops, it is a journey without end and never ceases to amaze me especially when a puzzle comes together; it is like being a detective but without the help of witnesses. In the world of Genealogy and there are still many family skeletons and intrigues driving me mad that may never be resolved but I cannot give up trying, I am hooked!
“ The role of a family historian is to think like a
detective and solve mysteries. ”
I started researching in 1998 as an absolute beginner but I have learnt so much via resources that are easily accessible and ones in which you don’t have to be an expert to utilise such as the Internet, Census, Certificates, History Centres and Genealogical organisations, Church Records etc.
The role of a family historian is to think like a detective and solve mysteries that will lead to incredible results; although you do have to go through the pain barrier time and time again. But regardless of how soul-destroying researching can be at times, once you get started you will have to keep going.
My diary, Meet Your Ancestors, about how to start researching from a beginners point of view will take you through an avalanche of emotion incorporating rage, frustration, joy, humour and tears but also how an individual can achieve amazing results fairly quickly and easily. I also believe that you will not only benefit from my success but also avoid the pitfalls I encountered saving you both time and money.
Visit our resources section in the main menu to get useful advice and handy downloads to chart and organised you family’s history.
I purchased you book yesterday and finished it today. Thank you for writing a most informative and easy to read genealogy book
Kim Judd, U.K.