FISHWICK is the maiden name of my maternal great-grandmother. It is also the reason that my interest in genealogy continued after immediate goals were reached and easily traceable lines documented. Emma Theresa FISHWICK (born in Sunderland, Durham, at the very end of 1879) was a professional census dodger and, to this day, cannot be pinned down in 1881. That fact led me down various research routes until the 1901 census finally became available online and I was able to extract all instances of the surname for consideration. The task of identifying Emma was not easy even at that point. However, I discovered that it was enjoyable to connect FISHWICK family groups in geographical areas that I would not otherwise have reason to investigate. The data collected in those early days has subsequently grown into a research project with a life of its own.

The largest volume of information in my database relates to the United Kingdom. However, enquiries and research partners are welcome from any geographical location because a single name or date often leads to a new and mutually satisfying line of research. Please contact me using the e-mail address below and I will be happy to share any information from my records that are relevant to your family tree. This can be particularly helpful if you need to make sense of a selection of John FISHWICKs or if a second marriage is causing confusion. I can often assist with this type of problem because my database takes into account surname variations/deviations and cross-references baptism, marriage, burial, census and other important records. In return, I learn from people who have detailed knowledge of particular families and am able to reference your assistance so you can be put in contact with other researchers.