Michelle Patient is a genealogist, computer geek, and DNA enthusiast, with qualifications in Chemistry, Geology and Family History. Growing up with a grandmother whose family stories, photographs, and memorabilia sparked her life-long interest in genealogy. In 1987 Michelle began  searching for her English half-sister, and in 2005 she reconnected her mother with her birth family.

With ancestry ranging from Deep English on her paternal side, with early Australian military and convicts, Australian & New Zealand early colonists on her maternal side, through to post-WWII British Royal Naval Support, her personal research covers a wide range of British Isles Diasporas and early Down Under research. She has separated facts from fiction, uncovering stories of will disputes, adoptions, children being given away, bankruptcies, and murder-suicides.

Adding DNA research to her genealogy tool kit has increased the range of Michelle’s methods,revealing skeletons, and breaking down many brick walls. Michelle volunteers for several genealogical societies, is a member of APG and is one of the DNA consultants behind the Australian SBS TV series Every Family has a Secret and co-hosts Talking Family History with Fiona Brooker.