Passionate about history and addicted to family history, Cathie Sherwood, the principal and founder of Ancestor Discovery has been researching her Irish, English and Scottish ancestors for over forty years. ​With a Scottish grandfather born in India who later emigrated to Australia and an elusive English ancestor still presenting a genealogical challenge, her family history is rich and diverse, much like that of many others.

Cathie’s professional background includes over twenty years of managing her own consultancy and working as a university lecturer in information technology and education, culminating in her role as Director of a university-wide research centre and retiring as an Associate Professor. She has presented at international conferences across the globe, developed innovative courses in information and communication technology and holds a Master’s degree in education, along with qualifications in teaching, history, and computer education, as well as a Diploma in Family Historical Studies.

Cathie currently serves as Chair of the International Affairs Committee for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and was an APG Director in 2022. An active speaker, she has presented at RootsTech, Legacy Family Tree Webinars, the Professional Management Conference (APG) and was featured in the Australian 2020 edition of Who Do You Think You Are?

Ancestor Discovery collaborates with qualified researchers in New Zealand, Europe, the UK, the USA, and Ireland to conduct specialised research in local archives.

Cathie also founded Family History Academy, providing online courses and resources to support family historians at all levels. Learn more about Family History Academy.

SERVICES
Services include: Family history research in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland and elsewhere on request; lectures and workshops offered on numerous topics; photo restoration and web development.

GEOGRAPHIC SPECIALTIES
Australia, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, India (for British in India only).

Lectures can be presented on a range of topics. Following are some examples:

• British India records
• Planning your family history research
• Breaking through brick walls
• Irish research especially land records and the Quakers
• Accessing Scottish records online
• Finding the females in your family
• Using advanced genealogical methods
• Workhouses in Ireland
• Australian wills and probate
• Australian education
• British military records before 1900

• All state archives and libraries in Australia
• National Archives of Australia
• National Library of Australia
• National Archives of Ireland
• National Library of Ireland
• Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (Belfast)
• The National Archives (UK)
• British Library
• London Archives

• Certificate in Genealogical Research (SAG, Australia)
• Diploma in Family Historical Studies (SAG, Australia)
• ProGen Study Group #49
• GenProof Study Group #67

Member of:

• Society of Australian Genealogists
• Society of Genealogists
• National Genealogical Society
• South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society
• Association of Professional Genealogists
• Genealogical Speakers Guild
• Ulster Historical Foundation

• Master of Education (by research)
• Graduate Diploma Instructional Uses of Computers (Technology, Education, Interactive Design)
• Bachelor of Arts (History, Government)
• Graduate Diploma Computers in Education (Technology, Education)
• Diploma in Teaching (Education)