Dr. Sophie Kay, D.Phil.
Dr. Sophie Kay, D.Phil., FHEA
I’m a professional genealogist, geneticist and member of AGRA offering research services through my business, Khronicle. Many different roads can lead us to family history though: my background is actually in scientific research and I attained my D.Phil. in Systems Biology from the University of Oxford in 2015.
I’m interested in research methodology and the thinking behind how we do rigorous research, whether that’s in science or in genealogy…or even both! From maps to marriage, from occupations to ancestral fertility, I write about a range of subjects on my blog, The Parchment Rustler. Having previously worked as a Panton Fellow with the Open Knowledge Foundation, I’m also interested in how people’s personal research can link with and benefit a wider research community.
As a scientist, I love the power and complexity of genetic genealogy; in fact one of my favourite parts of my early scientific training was learning how to extract and sequence my own DNA in a lab. It’s been exciting to see how the family history community has embraced direct-to-consumer DNA testing over the past decade. That said, I adore the paper trail side of research too, am qualified in Latin translation, and my particular areas of research include weird and wonderful historical occupations, mapping strategies and the 18th and 19th century alcohol trade.
I am currently studying towards the Higher Certificate in Genealogy with the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies and have been part of the User Advisory Group at the UK National Archives since 2018. I’m also a regular reviewer for Who Do You Think You Are? magazine and always enjoy discovering new genealogical reading.
And in case you’re wondering, my favourite ancestor is the illegitimate daughter of a servant girl who was divorced by my great-great-great grandfather, married his business associate, and ended up a (relative) millionairess in Victorian England. There are so many amazing stories just waiting to be discovered – and at its core, genealogy gives us an incredible opportunity to explore what it means to be human.
You can find Sophie on Twitter as @ScientistSoph
I’m a professional genealogist, geneticist and member of AGRA offering research services through my business, Khronicle. Many different roads can lead us to family history though: my background is actually in scientific research and I attained my D.Phil. in Systems Biology from the University of Oxford in 2015.
I’m interested in research methodology and the thinking behind how we do rigorous research, whether that’s in science or in genealogy…or even both! From maps to marriage, from occupations to ancestral fertility, I write about a range of subjects on my blog, The Parchment Rustler. Having previously worked as a Panton Fellow with the Open Knowledge Foundation, I’m also interested in how people’s personal research can link with and benefit a wider research community.
As a scientist, I love the power and complexity of genetic genealogy; in fact one of my favourite parts of my early scientific training was learning how to extract and sequence my own DNA in a lab. It’s been exciting to see how the family history community has embraced direct-to-consumer DNA testing over the past decade. That said, I adore the paper trail side of research too, am qualified in Latin translation, and my particular areas of research include weird and wonderful historical occupations, mapping strategies and the 18th and 19th century alcohol trade.
I am currently studying towards the Higher Certificate in Genealogy with the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies and have been part of the User Advisory Group at the UK National Archives since 2018. I’m also a regular reviewer for Who Do You Think You Are? magazine and always enjoy discovering new genealogical reading.
And in case you’re wondering, my favourite ancestor is the illegitimate daughter of a servant girl who was divorced by my great-great-great grandfather, married his business associate, and ended up a (relative) millionairess in Victorian England. There are so many amazing stories just waiting to be discovered – and at its core, genealogy gives us an incredible opportunity to explore what it means to be human.
You can find Sophie on Twitter as @ScientistSoph
