Nicola Johnson
AGRA Associate
Professional Genealogist, Writer and Speaker in the UK
Nicola Johnson is a UK-based professional genealogist, writer and speaker specialising in English ancestry, maritime family history and the social history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly the history of UK port cities.
A former BBC Broadcast Journalist, she is particularly known for her work on Titanic genealogy and families, Merchant Navy research and migration by sea.
Media
Available for podcasts, television, radio and other media appearances, including interviews and expert commentary on Titanic history, genealogy, maritime history and family history.
Talks for Societies and Organisations
Nicola regularly gives engaging genealogy and family history talks to:
• Family history societies and genealogy groups
• The Society of Genealogists
• National and international organisations
• Online audiences worldwide
Specialist talks include:
• Titanic talks – Titanic myths, families, crew and untold stories
• Titanic and DNA – how genetic genealogy is uncovering new Titanic stories
• Maritime history – including the Merchant Navy and forgotten lives at sea
• Women at sea – women in maritime history from the age of sail to the 20th century
• British death records – finding and using the records created after an ancestor's death
Genealogy research services offered:
• Family history and genealogy research into English ancestors (nationwide)
• Merchant Navy, Titanic families, and migration research
• Archive research and document retrieval: Hampshire Archives, Southampton Archives, Dorset History Centre, The National Archives (Kew, London).
• DNA detective work
Qualifications and Professional Memberships
Nicola holds an MSc (Distinction) in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. She is the winner of the British Commission for Maritime History Prize 2026 for her work on Titanic families.
She regularly writes for 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Family Tree' and 'Discover Your Ancestors', and gives talks for family history societies, the Society of Genealogists and other national organisations.
She is an AGRA Associate and a member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG), the Royal Historical Society (RHS) and the Genetic Genealogy Research Network (GGRN).
“Nicola provides a first‑class genealogy service. With her incredible knowledge, research skills and professional expertise, she uncovered a huge amount of information about my English family history. Nicola explained complex records clearly and helped me understand my roots, my ancestors’ lives and even traits in my own personality.
If you are looking for a professional genealogist in the UK - someone reliable, thorough and highly experienced in British ancestry research - I would recommend Nicola without hesitation.”
Lady Caroline G., Hampshire
“Nicola is a real expert in family history research. She’s thorough, knowledgeable and excellent at presenting the results of her research in an engaging and easy‑to‑understand way. Her background as a BBC journalist is clear throughout her work.
Nicola carried out genealogy research for my family in Hampshire and Dorset, tracing ancestors through parish records, local archives and historic documents. Her understanding of Hampshire and Dorset family history, combined with her wider expertise in English and British genealogy, made a huge difference to the quality of the results.
If you need a professional genealogist in Hampshire, Dorset or anywhere in the UK, I would highly recommend Nicola.”
Emma B., Dorset
“Nicola did a great job of research in finding my GGG Grandfather. She provided me with a superb file which is detailed, beautifully set out, clear and fascinating. I am delighted with it. She kept in touch and gave me updates. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it was money well spent and will definitely be using Nicola again.”
David W, UK
Specialities
- Speakers / Talks
- Family History
- Military & Naval Research
- Emigration and Immigration
- DNA and Genetics
- Hampshire Research
