My interest in genealogy and researching family histories started well over 20 years ago, when my mother gave me a brilliant family memoir completed in 1937 by my great grandfather. In my spare time I studied, learned and practiced genealogical research skills as I went looking for documentary source evidence for all the relatives my great grandfather had written about, followed by researching ancestors in other lines of my family tree. My ancestors, who I found came from England (Yorkshire, Northumberland, Co. Durham, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall), Scotland and Ireland, provided a varied canvas of people, places, occupations and key sources to get to know. I extended my knowledge by taking various courses designed to understand the available sources, the current best approaches in genealogical research methodologies and report-writing, and from there decided to progress as a professional genealogist.
Professionally Qualified and Accredited Genealogist
I have full professional memberships with the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) and the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA). Both British organisations operate ethical codes of professional conduct, being established awarding/ accrediting bodies for professional genealogists in the UK, requiring proof of rigorous testing to demonstrate high standards and competence in genealogical research methodology and report writing. In addition, I have undertaken ad-hoc research for ancestryProGenealogists as an independent contract researcher.
Local and Regional History
I was awarded a Master of Studies (MSt) in History (local and regional specialism) from the University of Cambridge in 2016. I’m a member of the British Association for Local History (BALH), Local Population Studies Society (LPSS), Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Family History Society, Cambridgeshire Association for Local History, Norfolk Family History Society, Suffolk Family History Society (also a Trustee), West Lothian Family History Society, and Clan Campbell Society (North America).
I have an interest in long distance internal migration in the 19th Century, reflected in research undertaken for Cambridge University and Strathclyde University postgraduate dissertations.
Publications
Alderson, Carolyn (6 May 2026). Discovering Campbell women of Ederline and Strachur. The Journal of Genealogy and Family History. Vol 8 no 1. Abstract: It has long been known by descendants of the Salmond family of West Lothian, that Margaret Campbell born about 1778 in Kilmichael, Argyll, who married “out of” Clan Campbell to a man called William Salmond in the early 19th century, was the daughter of Dugald Campbell of Ederline. However, she remained missing from established genealogies with very little known about her. It was hypothesised that there could be other descending lines that lead back to other “missing” females of the same family. Various records were investigated, with information contained in three legal documents providing a fortuitous route to discovering Margaret’s siblings, her aunts and collateral relatives. When corroborated through further research and the details confirmed and consolidated, the resulting family chart demonstrated a significant extension of the Campbell cadet lines of Strachur and Ederline in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly with regards to Campbell women-folk. Besides setting the record straight, the findings could help descendants researching back on Campbell lines and may also support DNA research when seeking a common Campbell ancestor for DNA Matches.
Alderson, Carolyn (2024). How to Use Wills to Develop a Family Tree. The Case of Simon Huntington (died 1633) and his Ancestors in East Anglia, England. Article published via a blog on carolynalderson.com. My Will transcriptions are here.
Alderson, Carolyn (2024). A Genealogical Investigation of the Suffolk Seasonal Maltster Migration in 19th Century Burton upon Trent. The Journal of Genealogy and Family History. Vol. 7 no 1. Abstract: Local historians have drawn attention to Suffolk-born farmworkers who travelled annually by train over 150 miles northwest to Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, for over-winter seasonal work in the brewing industry as maltsters from the mid-19th to the early 20th Century. However, little was clear about the Suffolk seasonal migrant community in the initial decades of the initiative, or the extent of settlement in Burton. Using genealogical research techniques and key sources, this article reports on findings uncovered. The research established the person responsible for generating the original impetus and the names and geographic birth distribution and age profiles of the seasonal maltster migrants recorded in 19th Century Burton census enumeration books (CEBs) from 1861. A longitudinal sample of twenty-eight of the early “Persisters” informed themes of settlement and relationships, occupations and mortality. The findings and associated data will be potentially useful to family and local historians researching both Burton and Suffolk people and communities. The research also contributes to seasonal studies and internal migration theory by possibly identifying a novel category of, or exception to, step-migration definitions. The various appendices, including the 28 family history cases studies of Suffolk maltsters who stayed in Burton on Trent are accessible here. Please ask for my permission to re-use this material.
Alderson, Carolyn (2016). A Study of Cornish Migrants who Moved to Cramlington, Northumberland, between 1865 and 1881. MSt History. University of Cambridge. Dissertation. Published via carolynalderson.com
Education
- 2020-2022. Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies, University of Strathclyde, Centre for Lifelong Learning. Distinction.
- 2019. Demystifying DNA for Family Historians. Pharos Teaching & Tutoring Course. Karen Cummings.
- 2017-2020. Correspondence Course Certificate in Genealogy, Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS).
- 2014-2016. MSt in History, University of Cambridge, Department of History / Institute of Continuing Education/ Lucy Cavendish College.
- 1999. MBA, University of Warwick Business School.
- 1992. BA (Hons) Literary and Cultural Studies II(i), University of Warwick, Centre for Lifelong Learning / Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies.
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