Joanne Penn Genealogy

03/02/2026

Once again, I will be one of the AGRA experts you can book for a 1:1. My specialities: DNA, brick walls and early English research, but I'm a fair all rounder too ;)

Come and see The Genealogist at The Family History Show, Online 2026 on 7th February 2026

03/02/2026

I'm currently at Norfolk Record Office searching the Mattishall Churchwardens' Accounts from the early 1700s. I noticed regular payments to the "dog whipper." Apparently, a dog whipper was a parish-appointed minor official whose job was to remove dogs from the church and churchyard during services, as dogs frequently followed their owners into church, strayed in from the street, or lay under pews. Creates quite the scene in one's mind's eye, doesn't it?!

31/10/2025

Just found a family in Acle in the 1891 and 1901 censuses, who had named their 6th child "Last." If this was wishful thinking, they were out of luck, as a further 6 came after him!

09/09/2025

My article has appeared in this month's WDYTYA magazine!

14/05/2025

This morning I'll be talking to Edd Smith on BBC Radio Norfolk about how to get started with family history and using DNA testing to help.

25/03/2025

23andMe - this is from Blaine T. Bettinger, one of the world's leading genetic genealogists, regarding 23andMe filing for bankruptcy and what it could mean for you, if you have tested with them:

"What should we do now that 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy and CEO Anne Wojcicki has resigned (to be in the running to pursue the company as an independent bidder)? For now, as of March 2025, I am not deleting my data or anyone else’s data from 23andMe. I am not currently concerned about any risk to my raw DNA data or personal information at 23andMe. That could possibly change, although it is extremely difficult to envision a scenario where my DNA data currently housed at 23andMe is out of my control or available in ways I haven't authorized. This would be a massive violation of the ToS (to which a purchasing entity would indeed be bound) and would subject that purchasing entity to massive lawsuits and financial liability under state and federal laws.
For more, see this AP article: https://apnews.com/.../23andme-chapter-11-bankruptcy.... Also see the 23andMe press release (https://investors.23andme.com/.../23andme-initiates...), indicating that “[t]here are no changes to the way the Company stores, manages, or protects customer data.”
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there. For example, the California Attorney General has NOT recommended that people delete their 23andMe data, he has only issued a warning and reminded everyone that they have a legal right to delete data if they so wish (see https://oag.ca.gov/.../attorney-general-bonta-urgently...). Might our “DNA be sold to the highest bidder” as the people looking for clicks want us to believe? Sure, but that has happened before at both FTDNA and AncestryDNA, for example, and none of us noticed anything. I think genetic genealogists should WANT their 23andMe data to be sold to the highest bidder so that the database survives! A new owner does not mean we suddenly lose access to our data or that our data somehow becomes public domain.
Beware blog posts or articles that are hype or based on hype; unfortunately we’re going to see them because they’re great clickbait. Beware anyone that tells you that your data is “at risk” of being beyond your control, as they likely are reacting out of fear and do not understand the situation. Now is NOT the time to panic, it is the time to be calm, watch, and listen.
Please remember that this is NOT LEGAL ADVICE. I am an attorney, but I am not your attorney."

14/02/2025

A bit of Friday afternoon entertainment: Ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr and Mrs....yes, it really does say that. Childish? Moi?