Dai Davies of GenealCymru
Innovative talks on diverse topics. Educational & creative writing. Expertise in Welsh research.
GenealCymru
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
- Writing /Publishing
Family History Research
- Ethnicity / Religion
- Family History Research
- Immigration / Naturalization
- Tutor / Coach
Speaking/Presenting
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
- Technology
- Writing & Publishing
- Available for virtual events
Writing/Publishing
- Author/Writer
Other Speciality
- House Historian / Local History
- Handwriting / Palaeography
Welcome! I’m a professional genealogist, family history speaker, author, and YouTuber. I have a background in anthropology (the study of culture; MA & BA hons, with 7 years teaching experience) which I use to explore ancestral stories, with an emphasis on social identity, local history, and culture.
I have a passion for connecting people with their Welsh ancestors and specialise in 18th–20th C. research. Since Welsh people travelled all over the world, I also have experience with Canadian and US records. I also specialise in name-based research, due to Welsh people having so many common surnames; I invented the First Name Study method and work on a multi-year One Name Study project.
I have a passion for connecting people with their Welsh ancestors and specialise in 18th–20th C. research. Since Welsh people travelled all over the world, I also have experience with Canadian and US records. I also specialise in name-based research, due to Welsh people having so many common surnames; I invented the First Name Study method and work on a multi-year One Name Study project.
As a speaker (virtual/Zoom), I cover diverse topics useful to everyone, no matter your geographical focus. Current topics include storytelling, name studies, dealing with common surnames, copyright, video-production, research methods, literacy and literature, and mental health and suicide.
Testimonials
Client Research:
“Dai expressed a genuine interest in helping me learn more about an ancestor we had almost no knowledge about. They also pointed me towards resources, research ideas, and history I would have never come to on my own. I am new to this research and feel like I now have a much clearer understanding of my family and the place they came from.” –Apr. 2, 2025
“Many thanks for your research and help with my family tree, its been rewarding to have your expertise to break through the brick wall and also exciting to hear what new information and people you have discovered, I will endeavour to continue with your findings and I look forward to continuing our research together in the Autumn.” –Jul. 2, 2025
Invited Talks:
“It was most inspiring to see how researching in all directions can help sort out a complicated family.” -Sept. 25, 2025
“Dai has a rare talent of making copyright understandable and even interesting.” -Nov. 15, 2024
“It was a very refreshing, new way of approaching research. Dai’s examples were helpful and visual aids were well chosen and helpful.” -Mar. 9, 2024
“Totally new way to look at breaking through a brick wall with research. How to approach this using a real example step by step.” -Mar. 9, 2024
Client Research:
“Dai expressed a genuine interest in helping me learn more about an ancestor we had almost no knowledge about. They also pointed me towards resources, research ideas, and history I would have never come to on my own. I am new to this research and feel like I now have a much clearer understanding of my family and the place they came from.” –Apr. 2, 2025
“Many thanks for your research and help with my family tree, its been rewarding to have your expertise to break through the brick wall and also exciting to hear what new information and people you have discovered, I will endeavour to continue with your findings and I look forward to continuing our research together in the Autumn.” –Jul. 2, 2025
Invited Talks:
“It was most inspiring to see how researching in all directions can help sort out a complicated family.” -Sept. 25, 2025
“Dai has a rare talent of making copyright understandable and even interesting.” -Nov. 15, 2024
“It was a very refreshing, new way of approaching research. Dai’s examples were helpful and visual aids were well chosen and helpful.” -Mar. 9, 2024
“Totally new way to look at breaking through a brick wall with research. How to approach this using a real example step by step.” -Mar. 9, 2024
Additional specialities or search keywords
Wales, Welsh, British, Speaker, Name Studies, Writing, Multimedia, Storytelling, Zoom
Wales, Welsh, British, Speaker, Name Studies, Writing, Multimedia, Storytelling, Zoom
Lectures
Speaker fee: £80/$110USD
Forget the Family Tree! Tend Your Family Ivy.
Looking beyond your direct ancestors is the key to many brick walls and this talk answers the question of how our ancestors’ spouses can help us do that!
Copyright Considerations for Genealogists
Everything a family historian needs to know about copyright, genealogy website terms of use, and the public domain!
Reflecting on Your Self to Discover Your Ancestors
Move beyond names and dates and learn how to simplify the story-telling process in a way that incorporates your interests and those of your loved ones.
Why is That Your Name?: Crafting a First-Name Study
An innovative and brick-wall-smashing method rooted in Welsh & English naming traditions illustrated with my research on men with the first name named Timothy in south Wales and beyond.
Remembering Our Ancestors who Died by Suicide
Some of our ancestors died by suicide and the last writings on their lives often don’t offer them the compassion and understanding they deserved. Let’s look at the social/legal history of suicide in Britain and how we can write our ancestors’ stories in a way that honours them and is informed by what survivors and advocates today know about safe messaging.
From the Bards to Your Family Tree: Exploring the Welsh Literary Renaissance
The late 18th C. ushered in the Welsh Literary Renaissance and the revival of welsh poetry. Explore how these events can help us find our ancestors and deepen our understanding of their lives.
Free Software for Making Your Own Genealogy Videos
Ever wanted to try your hand at making a family history video? From your visuals, to audio this talk explains the free software I use to make videos for the GenealCymru YouTube channel.
Speaker fee: £80/$110USD
Forget the Family Tree! Tend Your Family Ivy.
Looking beyond your direct ancestors is the key to many brick walls and this talk answers the question of how our ancestors’ spouses can help us do that!
Copyright Considerations for Genealogists
Everything a family historian needs to know about copyright, genealogy website terms of use, and the public domain!
Reflecting on Your Self to Discover Your Ancestors
Move beyond names and dates and learn how to simplify the story-telling process in a way that incorporates your interests and those of your loved ones.
Why is That Your Name?: Crafting a First-Name Study
An innovative and brick-wall-smashing method rooted in Welsh & English naming traditions illustrated with my research on men with the first name named Timothy in south Wales and beyond.
Remembering Our Ancestors who Died by Suicide
Some of our ancestors died by suicide and the last writings on their lives often don’t offer them the compassion and understanding they deserved. Let’s look at the social/legal history of suicide in Britain and how we can write our ancestors’ stories in a way that honours them and is informed by what survivors and advocates today know about safe messaging.
From the Bards to Your Family Tree: Exploring the Welsh Literary Renaissance
The late 18th C. ushered in the Welsh Literary Renaissance and the revival of welsh poetry. Explore how these events can help us find our ancestors and deepen our understanding of their lives.
Free Software for Making Your Own Genealogy Videos
Ever wanted to try your hand at making a family history video? From your visuals, to audio this talk explains the free software I use to make videos for the GenealCymru YouTube channel.
Research Time Periods
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- 18th Century