I have long been interested in Genealogy. I can’t remember exactly how I got into it, but I think it was around 2000 when my interest began.
It may have begun with trying to help my dad with his family tree, so perhaps something to do with local history. Anyway, it all seems as though I was guided to it because the revelations I have uncovered have been pretty mindblowing.
Sad in some cases, but awesome in others. There is the strange frequency of crossover, though, that still amazes me every day, where people from my Maternal Grandmother’s family actually married into my adoptive family on both sides. The likelihood of that seemed remote to me, but if my research is correct, it is indeed the case.
Gregory and Clayton – Genealogy & DNA
In my Genealogical discovery, I have uncovered my adoptive parents’ families, the Gregorys on my dad’s side, going back to about 1630, and a connection to President George Washington and numerous American Celebrities.
Nothing quite so grand on Mum’s side, except to say that she turns out to be at least a quarter Welsh with a little Welsh blood in both of her parents. I’ve been able to trace her relatives back a fair bit further if my research is correct.
Then there’s my own Odyssey – Ireland & Jamaica via West Africa
I was adopted as a baby. Aged 19, a young Phil Gregory contacted the adoption society, and I was going to find out who my birth parents were. At the last minute, I decided not to go through with it. The adoption agency had asked me to travel to Manchester, and at the time I didn’t have a car…it all seemed like too much bother, I was happy enough and was probably a bit afraid of what I might find out.
Fast forward 10 years, and I’d find out who my mother was. Ended up meeting her and many of her family members. I discovered some very interesting connections to both historic England and Irish republicanism.
Then fast forward another 20 years and I’d also discover who my birth father was. I have discovered that I’m Irish on my mother’s side and Jamaican on my father’s side. But that’s only part of the picture, as you’ll discover at some point as I add content to this website.
I’ll give a brief overview here on this page and then refer you to the many blog articles I’ve written where relevant.
If you are adopted, or just interested in getting a DNA test, I’m happy to talk to you about the process and the emotional aspect of it all. I’m not an EXPERT on DNA, so whilst I’m happy to help people, I won’t be offering my help in a paid or serious capacity.