Originally from Northern Ireland, but with both Scottish and Irish roots, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies and work as a professional genealogist, running the Scotland's Greatest Story research service (www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk). I am married, have two sons, and live in the Scottish coastal town of Largs, North Ayrshire. In the past I have lived in the English cities of Plymouth and Bristol (for four and six years respectively), and twelve years in the County Antrim town of Carrickfergus. I have been married from 2000 to mad Claire from Kilkenny, and we have two sons currently training up as Jedi knights...!As well as being a tutor on Scottish based courses for Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd (www.pharostutors.com), and for the University of Strathclyde's Genealogical Studies Postgraduate Programme (www.strath.ac.uk/genealogy/), I am also a member of the user forum for the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.proni.gov.uk). In addition I am a published book writer of several titles and a regular contributor to several genealogy magazines, such as Your Family Tree, Family History Monthly, Family Tree magazine, Your Family History, Discover My Past Scotland, History Scotland and Irish Roots, and previously had monthly news columns in the now defunct Practical Family History, Discover my Past England and Ancestors magazines. I have also written for various other newspapers and magazines such as the Scotsman, the Herald and Scottish Memories.
I previously worked for 12 years in factual television production for both the BBC and STV, on series such as Coast, Meet the Ancestors, Secret History, War Walks, Time Flyers and 999. During my TV career I met and interviewed RAF fighter pilots who fought at the Battle of Britain, the modern day Ku Klux Klan in Tennessee, liver and kidney transplant surgeons and patients at Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary, Driving School's Maureen Rees, and many other interesting folk. Filming took me to 30 of the 50 United States, Canada, Britain, Ireland, France, Italy and Sardinia.
For those desperate to be bored even further about me, there's a great deal more at www.scotlandsgreateststory.bravehost.com/ChrisPaton.html, including a list of articles which I have written, and my television research, production and direction credits.
Should you wish to contact me, please do so at enquiry @ scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk
