About
Mia Bennett
Hi! I’m Mia Bennett (although formally I’m Amelia). I have been researching my family history for over 30 years and am now a professional genealogist specialising in using DNA and documentary evidence to solve your family history mysteries. These may be brickwalls within your family tree, unknown DNA matches or an unknown parent. I also enjoy helping others learn about family history and DNA through talks, workshops and coaching. Learn more about how I can help you in my Genealogy Services.
Who Am I?
I followed in my ancestor’s footsteps as an engineer but now I love using my analysis skills to investigate the fascinating world of our ancestors. Alongside a career in engineering, I have been researching and learning about family history. I started to run a professional genealogy business in 2019 and am about to make it my full time career when I step down from my engineering job in early 2027. The skills I have learnt through the engineering, particularly critical analysis and mentoring, ensure I pay attention to detail and can think through how to solve tricky research questions.
My genealogy education is a mixture of self-learning and formal training. I am studying for a Higher Certificate in Genealogy at the Institute for Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS). I’m an alumni of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). Notably I have completed the Advanced DNA Evidence course at GRIP. I regularly attend (and present at) conferences, family history events, Society of Genealogists (SoG) talks, and Legacy Family Tree Webinars. With regard to professional development, I have completed the Pharos Tutors‘ Professional Genealogist – Become one, become a better one course. I am an Associate of AGRA (the professional body for genealogists in England and Wales) and a member of APG (Association of Professional Genealogists). I attend a selection of their conferences and online talks which include genealogy and professional subjects.
I enjoy being part of the wider genealogy community. Based in Gloucestershire, I am the chair of the Gloucestershire Family History Society (although stepping down in September 2026 after four years) however I will continue as a trustee. Previously I was a trustee of the Society of Genealogists (SoG) and am continuing my association with them as a volunteer and speaker.
More information about my personal genealogical journey, including opportunities that I have taken to further my knowledge, is captured on my blog.
Mia Genealogy
My genealogy services are provided under the name ‘Mia Genealogy’. Although I had a blog called Family Tree Cafe and the associated website, this was not available for commercial reasons. The ethos of Family Tree Cafe remains as one of the things I love most about family history and genealogy is sharing it with other people. There is a joy and thrill to share with people who love researching families and telling the stories we discover. The long term aim remains to set up meet-ups for people passionate about family history in a relaxed, social environment. So I look forward to gatherings in a ‘cafe’ style environment – although it would be just as possible to meet up in pubs or other locations.
I want to use this website as a way of sharing my own research with my family and friends old and new. I am writing blogs that will hopefully help others to do their own research as well as sharing my stories along the way.
MKDNA
For a period of time concluding in 2026, I have been working with another professional genealogist, Kathy Wilshaw who specialised in adoption and living people searches, under the name ‘MKDNA’. As she is taking early retirement, this working arrangement is concluding (although the friendship is not) and the use of MKDNA will gradually be retired too.
Contact Details
Contact me via the dedicated e-mail address miagenealogy@gmail.com or the contact form below. During our handover stage, Kathy will continue to have access to responses to the contact form.
Please note that I will only store your email for the purpose of communicating about your request and will not pass it onto any other organisation or person without prior consent from you. If you need to contact me privately, please use research@miagenealogy.com and state that you do not want me to share information with Kathy.