Born and raised in England, John D Reid is a retired atmospheric scientist and family history enthusiast with over two decades of experience as a speaker, author, and advocate for local and family history.

John holds a BSc in Physics, an MSc in Meteorology, and a PhD in Atmospheric Science. In a 31-year career with the Canadian Meteorological Service as a weather forecaster, research scientist and manager, he retired in 1998 as its Director of Policy and International Affairs. He also served as President of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. Since retirement, John has dedicated his time to exploring family history, sharing his knowledge through lectures and publications, and serving a term as President of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa.

His family history publications include authoring Research Canada’s Home Children, since 2011 writing a regular column for BIFHSGO’s quarterly chronicle, and editing a book The Ottawa Sharpshooters. 

Between 2006 and 2009, John chaired the City of Ottawa Arts, Heritage, and Culture Advisory Committee and served on the Library and Archives Canada Services Advisory Board. He currently contributes to the advisory panel for Ancestry.ca.

John is a member of the Society of Genealogists, BIFHSGO, The Guild of One-Name Studies, and the Ontario Genealogical Society. His daily blog, Canada’s Anglo-Celtic Connections, has published over 14,000 posts since 2006, providing an independent perspective on family history resources and developments, particularly from an Ottawa viewpoint.