IHGS Staff
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Cecil Humphery-Smith ~ Founder
Following an early childhood interest in heraldry which was to become his passion, Cecil Humphery-Smith championed family history as opposed to genealogy, encouraging academia to take the subject seriously. He brought it to Canterbury in 1961 founding the Institute in Northgate. He was rewarded in 2004 by Her Majesty the Queen who awarded him the OBE for his services to education in heraldry and genealogy.
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Dr Richard C F Baker ~ Principal
Richard joined the Institute some 20 years ago and is now Principal. As Director of Studies he is responsible for the Institute's educational programme and is a member of our Examining Board. He is an experienced Tutor and Lecturer in all aspects of Genealogy, but his specialist interests are in Heraldry and Genetic Inheritance. Richard represents the interests of the Institute on a number of National committees. |
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Sarah Bulson ~ Course tutor, Librarian and Lecturer.
Sarah graduated from Kent University with a BA in History and then went on to obtain an MA in Library and Information Studies at University College, London. She has worked at the Institute for over 10 years and aside from her work as librarian, her roles also include lecturing on all aspects of family history research and being a tutor on the Correspondence Course. She also assists Achievements, our supporting body, with all manner of genealogical and historical research for their numerous clients. |
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Michelle Webber ~ Registrar
Michelle has worked at the Institute for over five years. Her numerous responsibilities include not only being the Institute’s Registrar but also the administrator of the Correspondence Course and pedigree designer for Achievements. |
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Judith Batchelor ~ Course Tutor
Judith joined the Institute in 1994 after gaining her BA Hons in History from the University of Leicester. She has built up considerable practical experience and enjoys the challenge of finding the missing link that will resolve a family mystery. Tracing migrant ancestors and in particular, the British roots of Americans is a particular area of her expertise. |
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Madeleine Dickens ~ Course Tutor
Madeleine was passionately involved with family history for several years before taking the Higher Certificate in Genealogy which she passed with distinction. She has recently achieved a Diploma in Genealogy. Alongside her work for family history clients she also has acquired considerable experience in education. Her main areas of expertise and interest are non-conformist and Poor Law records. |
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Celia Heritage ~ Course Tutor
Celia has been passionate about family history since the age of 14, her interest having been first sparked by family stories passed down to her by her mother. Celia went on to study history at King's College London and then to study family history at the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, passing the Higher Certificate in Genealogy with distinction. She worked as Registrar and lecturer for the Institute, before setting up on her own. Celia specialises in parish, land and death records. |
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Les Mitchinson ~ Course Tutor
Les is a graduate of the Institute who gained his Higher Certificate in 2008 and the Diploma in Genealogy the following year. Les spent a full career in the Royal Navy before setting up his own Family History education and research business in Hampshire. He finds all aspects of Family History engaging but would have to single out military records as his favoured area of research. |
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Jeremy Palmer ~ Course Tutor
Jeremy has been a professional genealogist and lecturer since 1992 having trained and qualified at the Institute. He was for many years the Registrar of IHGS before emigrating to Sydney, Australia in 2006 where he now works as a freelance researcher. Jeremy has retained an association with the Institute and still works as a tutor for students on the Institute's Correspondence Course. He also writes articles for Practical Family History and Family History Monthly magazines. |
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Norma Podesta ~ Course Tutor
Norma was a long-standing student of Cecil Humphery-Smith at London University and completed the Correspondence Course before proceeding to the Diploma in Genealogy in 1985. She was awarded her Licentiateship in 1988. |
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Frances Gilday ~ Receptionist
Frances has worked at Northgate for 27 years and is our valued receptionist. You will find her in our shop and answering your telephone calls three days a week. |
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