Committee, Officers and Postholders
The committee of The Surname Society comprises the four officers (roles in bold) and up to three members who need not be post holders.
Role | Name | About | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Chair | Kirsty Gray | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Vice Chair | Vacant | Committee | Send email | |
Treasurer | Phillip Fanning | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Secretary | Lynda Chiotti | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Editor | Theresina Lloyd | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Editor | Melanie Harries | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Webmaster | Kai Poppe | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Membership Secretary | Mandy Blake | Postholder | Send email | Read bio |
Social Networking Coordinator (Facebook) | Gary Barton | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Social Networking Coordinator (Instagram/Twitter) | Theresina Lloyd | Committee | Send email | Read bio |
Marketing | Vacant | Postholder | Send email | |
School of Surnames | Vacant | Postholder | Send email | |
Assistant Webmaster | Colin Spencer | Postholder | Send email | Read bio |

Kirsty Gray
Chair
Phillip Fanning
Treasurer
Lynda Chiotti
Secretary
Theresina Lloyd
Editor
About myself: I'm a born and raised Californian here in the United States. I have my degrees in Accounting and have worked in the field for 20yrs or so, unfortunately under utilizing my degrees. I started researching my family history about 10yrs ago after my mother indicated an interest in finding more about our old English families from Maryland, USA. I was also intrigued to find proof of a family story that our Scottish lineage connected to Alexander Graham Bell. I have been able to find our old English family from Maryland family and how they helped settle the state and came here in 1652. I have yet to prove the link to Alexander Graham Bell though. So far my research is pointing in the direction of no connection. But I do have a brick wall that concerns my Bell line, so anything is still possible.
Melanie Harries
Editor
My name is Melanie Harries and I have been a family historian for all my adult life, now studying for the Higher Certificate in Genealogy with the Institute of Heraldry and Genealogical Studies in Canterbury.
My expertise is primarily in Scottish, Welsh and DNA research. I am located in East London and am a regular visitor to the Society of Genealogists and my local archives in Barking & Dagenham.
Kai Poppe
Webmaster

Mandy Blake
Membership Secretary
My passion for genealogy started over twelve years ago when, as an adoptee, I traced members of my birth family, and I began a single-surname study for my maiden name of Stribling in early 2013. As well as belonging to various genealogical societies and organisations, I am Group Admin for the Devon FHS’s Facebook group. When I'm not doing something genealogy-related, I enjoy reading, technology and music. I'm married with a grown-up son.
As a Founding Member and Secretary of The Surname Society, I am looking forward to the future of both the Society and single-surname research.
Gary Barton
Social Networking Coordinator (Facebook)
Theresina Lloyd
Social Networking Coordinator (Instagram/Twitter)
About myself: I'm a born and raised Californian here in the United States. I have my degrees in Accounting and have worked in the field for 20yrs or so, unfortunately under utilizing my degrees. I started researching my family history about 10yrs ago after my mother indicated an interest in finding more about our old English families from Maryland, USA. I was also intrigued to find proof of a family story that our Scottish lineage connected to Alexander Graham Bell. I have been able to find our old English family from Maryland family and how they helped settle the state and came here in 1652. I have yet to prove the link to Alexander Graham Bell though. So far my research is pointing in the direction of no connection. But I do have a brick wall that concerns my Bell line, so anything is still possible.

Colin Spencer
Assistant Webmaster
I am retired from full-time employment and live in Spain. I have been engaged in genealogical and family history research for over 30 years.
I am currently performing a surname study into my paternal grandmothers maiden name Lefever, research into the name so far has led me to families in the Caribbean, USA, Spain, Ireland and of course France and Belgium where the name originates.
As webmaster of the society I have the challenge of developing and maintaining the website.