My talks explore English and British family and social history, Titanic and maritime stories, and DNA for family history societies, archives, conferences, and community groups of all kinds. They can be delivered in person (location permitting) or online via Zoom. Sessions are fully research-led, richly illustrated, and designed to engage audiences of all ages, with fresh perspectives, fascinating case studies, and practical insights for family historians.
Everyone thinks they know the story of the Titanic, but family legends and popular accounts often collapse under scrutiny.
In this engaging talk, professional genealogist Nicola Johnson takes audiences beyond the headlines and into the archives, examining passenger lists, crew records, newspapers, inquiry reports, and Titanic Relief Fund files to test long-held assumptions.
Through fascinating real-life case studies and modern tools such as DNA and the 1921 Census, she uncovers how myths began, why they endured, and what the records really reveal. A fresh, never-before-seen perspective that will astonish, intrigue, and spark lively discussion – perfect for history and community groups of all kinds.
DNA has transformed genealogy – but its impact on Titanic research is only just beginning to be understood. Discover how genetic genealogy is solving century-old mysteries, confirming identities, testing long-held family traditions, exposing false Titanic ancestry claims and uncovering remarkable new stories from the world’s most famous maritime disaster.
A fascinating and thought-provoking talk for anyone with an interest in Titanic, DNA or genealogy.
Step below decks to discover the untold story of Titanic’s firemen, trimmers, and greasers – the men who toiled in blistering heat to power the great liner on her doomed maiden voyage. This talk brings to life their gruelling work, the danger and stigma of life beneath the boilers, and the bravery many showed on the night of the sinking.
Drawing on crew records, census returns, and the Titanic Relief Fund, Nicola Johnson revives these forgotten men and their families, offering a vivid, human perspective on the real lives behind the legend. Nicola has explored this topic for Who Do You Think You Are? magazine, and this engaging session is a must-see for anyone fascinated by Titanic, maritime history, or the untold stories of courage and survival.
Animals were part of life aboard the Titanic, from pampered pedigree dogs to the working cats that kept vermin at bay below deck. But behind every animal was an owner, a family and a story waiting to be uncovered.
In this fascinating talk, genealogist and Titanic historian Nicola Johnson uses family history research to trace the lives of the people who travelled with their beloved pets and working animals. Discover what became of these families before, during and after the disaster, and how the stories of their animals provide a unique window into class, wealth and everyday life at sea.
Drawing on passenger records, family trees and eyewitness accounts, Nicola also explores remarkable animal stories from other famous ships, from the Mary Rose to more modern ocean liners. Which pets escaped? Which animals secured places in the lifeboats? And what do these extraordinary stories reveal about the people who loved them?
Blending maritime history with genealogy, this is a unique and engaging talk that uncovers the human stories behind the animals and offers a completely fresh perspective on the world’s most famous ship.
When the S.S. Stella sailed from Southampton in 1899 and smashed into rocks off the Channel Islands, up to 100 lives were lost in a tragedy that foreshadowed Titanic’s disaster just 13 years later. Dubbed “the Titanic of the English Channel,” the Stella has since faded from memory.
In this gripping talk, Nicola Johnson uses family history research to uncover the stories of the drowned crew and their bereaved families – and asks the haunting question: had these lessons been heeded, could the Titanic tragedy have been avoided?
Female pirates who fought alongside men, Victorian girls who disguised themselves as cabin boys to follow their lovers, stewardesses aboard the Titanic, wartime nurses sailing through mined waters under enemy fire, and the WRNS ‘Wrens’ keeping Britain’s fleets afloat in two world wars. For three centuries, women went to sea, risking life and reputation, defying convention, and shaping maritime history in ways that have largely been forgotten.
In this captivating talk, Nicola Johnson brings their stories to life, exploring the courage, ingenuity, and determination of women who chose the ocean when society told them to stay ashore. From the daring exploits of pirates to the quiet heroism of naval service, from life below deck to the chaos of sinking ships and wartime convoys, audiences will discover a hidden world of adventure, love, and resilience on the waves. This is a journey through the human side of maritime history, revealing women whose lives and deeds deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
The death of an ancestor can be the key to unlocking generations of family history, but the evidence is often scattered across a surprising range of sources. Knowing where to look – and how those sources work together – can reveal ancestors you never knew existed, solve longstanding mysteries and bring family stories vividly to life.
In this practical overview, professional genealogist Nicola Johnson explores the wealth of records created after a death, from civil registration, burials, testaments, wills and administrations, probate and death duty registers to newspapers, memorials, inquests and many other valuable sources. Using real research examples, she’ll show how to combine evidence to uncover new information, overcome research challenges and make the most of every clue.
Suitable for all levels, this session covers the key sources for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing a practical roadmap for anyone researching British ancestors.
If your society, conference, cruise line, or organisation is looking for engaging family history and Titanic talks, online or in person, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
