My talks explore English and British family and social history, Titanic and maritime stories, DNA, and AI 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.
Animals were part of life aboard the Titanic, from pampered pedigree dogs to working cats below deck.
In this engaging talk, Nicola Johnson uncovers little-known and surprising stories of the Titanic’s animals, alongside those from other ships, from historic vessels like the Mary Rose to more recent liners, revealing what they show about class and everyday life at sea. Who was allowed to bring a pet, and what became of them when disaster struck? Which animals secured places in the lifeboats, even as human lives were lost?
Drawing on passenger records and eyewitness accounts, this is a fresh, never-before-heard perspective on the Titanic, bound to be popular among the animal lovers in your group.
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.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now, but what does it actually mean for family historians? In this practical talk, Nicola Johnson cuts through the hype and gives your attendees ten unmissable top tips for putting today’s AI tools to real use in their research.
From transcribing handwriting to planning research and extracting information from documents, there’s something for every level.
There’s also an honest look at what AI still can’t do, so your group members leave knowing not only how to use AI effectively, but also how to avoid its biggest pitfalls. They’ll leave with a toolkit of practical techniques, a clear understanding of AI’s limitations, and plenty of ideas they can start using in their own family history straight away.
DNA doesn’t have to be baffling. In this practical talk, DNA detective Nicola Johnson takes your members through eight real applications they can start using today, from making sense of shared matches and sorting them into family lines, to writing a message that actually gets a reply, and how to use specialist tools to solve a family history mystery.
Whether they’ve been staring at their matches for months or are just getting started, your members will leave with practical techniques they can put into use immediately, a clearer understanding of what their DNA results are really telling them, and the confidence to take the next step in their research.
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.
In this wide-ranging but compassionate talk, Nicola Johnson shows how to get the most from British death records – from indexes, certificates and burial records to lesser-known sources rarely covered elsewhere, such as coroners’ inquests and death duty registers. She also gives clear guidance to finding pre-1858 wills, helping you break through long-standing brick walls and uncover ancestors who’ve eluded you for years.
Packed with practical tips and fresh leads, this session suits researchers at every level.
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?
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.
