Hi my name is Julie Muirhead and I’m an experienced Genealogist, Family Historian and Local Historian based in Andover, Hampshire. I have been interested in my Family History since my maternal grandfather gave me a copy of the family tree he did for his mother in 1978 when I was just 8 years old. The tree traced the Mornin family mostly in Northern Ireland but also in the US, I still have this tree today.
In the early 90s when I first got the internet at home (oh how slow those 14.4k modems were) I remember finding the U.S. Social Security Death Index online and confirming a couple of things on this old tree. But it wasn’t until the early 2000s that I started researching seriously all the branches of my ancestry.
Fast forward to 2025 the branches of my tree have grown considerably and I have completed the Institute of Heraldic & Genealogical Studies (IHGS) correspondence course in Genealogy. It’s not been easy, it’s taken a long time but I’ve learnt so much and now hold The Higher Certificate in Genealogy.
My quest for learning more about a subject I am passionate about continues and I’ve signed up to do the IHGS Diploma in Genealogy (DipGen) starting January 2026.
I’ve also taken some courses with Pharos Tutors firstly in 2024 I took Mapping Strategies for Family Historians this course was not part of one of their certificate courses but one that was absolutely fascinating. It taught me lots about using maps to understand more about how my ancestors fit into the places where they lived.
In 2025 I decided to take the following 2 courses from the Family History Skills and Strategies Intermediate Certificate course.
- Nonconformity – Its Records and History 1600 – 1950
- Victorian Crime and Punishment- Courts, police and prisons
My original intention when taking the courses in 2025 was as a form exam revision as I had originally studied these subjects quite a while ago. But as I received a Distinction for both I plan on taking more.
I believe in the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), to not only improve my skills but also learn new ones.
I am an Associate of The Association of Genealogical Researchers in Archives (AGRA) and I abide by their Professional Code.
I’m also a member of various societies and 2025 has seen me join the committee of AHAS and volunteer with HGS as their Research Manager.
- Andover History & Archaeology Society (AHAS)
- Causeway Coast & Glens Family History Society (CCGFS)
- Hampshire Genealogical Society (HGS)
- Family and Community Historical Research Society (FACHRS)
- Society of Genealogists (SoG)
- Society of One-Place Studies (SOPS)
Belonging to the various societies is very helpful and I enjoy attending the many talks available on many subjects both online & in person.
Personal Interests
- One-Place Study of St Mary Bourne, Hampshire – I’m researching the whole parish. It was home to a paternal GG Grandmother’s family for hundreds of years and in particular I am looking to learn more about the parish before & after the Swing Riots. A book on Education in St Mary Bourne is also underway with research into the first known Schoolmaster in 1725 undertaken for my final IHGS course.
- One-Name Study of the MORNIN surname – continuing my maternal Grandfather’s work on his mother’s family. Searching for a link between 3 known branches and searching for their origins.