Paul Blake is a full-time researcher and lecturer. His interest in naval records stems from his own ancestors who served in the Royal Navy for many generations. Paul lectures widely on a variety of family history and related subjects, in England and overseas. He writes regularly for genealogy magazines and is joint author of the books The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Family Tree and Discover Your Past. He is a fellow and former chairman of the Society of Genealogists, and he is president of the East Surrey FHS. He lives in southwest London.