Currently accepting clients for...

• DNA
• Family History Research

Jo has almost 25 years’ experience working in genealogical and archival services, including 5 years working as an expert genealogist for Ancestry.com. Her experience of working in archives means she has knowledge of the lesser-known record sets that many genealogists overlook.

She is experienced in using DNA as a genealogical tool as well as all traditional methodologies of documentary research. Jo is an expert palaeographer able to read English handwriting from any era and has a basic working knowledge of medieval Latin.

Jo researches families throughout England and Wales and uses a network of tried and tested fellow genealogists to visit the archives in difficult to reach localities. She offers a full range of services from determining unknown parentage, to solving brick wall cases and researching family trees from scratch.

Geographic Specialities
United Kingdom
England
Wales
Scotland

Testimonials
I would thoroughly recommend Jo's family history services. Being totally new to this sort of research, I needed guidance to work out what I wanted, and Jo very clearly outlined what could be achieved and uncovered. The depth of information was more than I expected, and the report delivered at the end was written to a high professional standard. Mrs D, London 

Joanne was amazing to work with and helped us solve a 100 year old mystery. She was really clear with us about the challenges we would face and the likelihood of a positive outcome so we were able to prepare. Her knowledge of DNA and how it connects to different people meant we were able to confirm a theory and close the door on an tragic story. Mrs. G-Y, Australia

Joanne Penn was recommended to me by a fellow researcher. Knowing her background at Norfolk Record Office, I engaged her to try to resolve a family history mystery which had defeated researchers for decades. She succeeded. Combining professional expertise with a shrewd intelligence and analytical facility, she not only unearthed essential information but was able also to draw meaningful conclusions from it. Her written reports are comprehensive and meticulous. So I would strongly recommend Joanne to anyone researching family history and especially those who have hit the proverbial brick wall. Mr A, UK

I'd hit a brick wall with my research trying to trace my paternal line so hired Jo and I'm so glad I did she discovered the DNA breakthrough I'd been searching for and without her help I'd still be going around in circles ..very pleased! Mr. R, England

Publications/Media
Appearance and reseach for Who Do You Think You Are? 
Research for DNA Journey, The Queen and Her Cousins with Alexander Armstrong, My Family Secrets Revealed and Every Family Has a Secret TV programs.
Local radio and newspaper articles.

Repositories
County Archives across the UK, The National Archives, London Metropolitan Archives

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century
• 16th Century and Earlier

Languages
English, basic French, Italian and Spanish

Honorifics/Credentials
AGRA
APG

Certificates
Full member of the ASSOCIATION OF GENEALOGISTS AND RESEARCHERS IN ARCHIVES which is the professional body of Genealogists in the United Kingdom.

Degrees
Linguistics