​RESEARCH SERVICES PROVIDED

I provide extensive research following standards as prescribed by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.  Creating family histories and obtaining access to early New England historical resources is my specialty.   

Services include, but are not limited to:

   -   Genealogical problem-solving and family history research
   -   Research plan consulting
   -   Lineage society applications
   -   Local Record Retrieval
   -   Training and education for groups and individuals

CURRENT PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE:    

​Happy Days! Find Your Family in the U.S. Census

On April 1, 2022, the National Archives released digital images of the 1950 U.S. population census. While you can look for your family using published indexes and commercial website search engines, the mechanics of how the census was compiled and the history of census taking in America provide so much more insight for thorough research. This program presents an overview of how censuses were crafted from our country's earliest years through the 1960, and teaches you the "you can't use a calculator for this test" approach on how to research the original census.

Level: Beginner
Length: 1 hr

"Who Lyeth There? Digging Up Colonial New England Ancestor Records"

Researching your early colonial family presents many challenges. Events may not have been recorded, or there is no consistent standard for finding the records! Inspired by a seemingly empty colonial burial ground, this case study focuses on a specific group of Puritan families who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Great Pilgrim Migration. As the story unfolds, you will learn how to place your ancestor into historical context and effectively locate historical records and other essential evidence sources. ​

Level: Intermediate
Length: 1 hr

“A Portrait of Victorian America: Using Old Letters to Discover a Rich Family History”

Old letters hold many clues to what it was like to live in another time and place. A collection of 19th century family correspondence colorfully illustrates the North and South at a time when Abolition was taking hold and the Industrial Revolution was changing the American way of life. Three generations of the Holbrook family of Westborough, Massachusetts personally witnessed major historical events, making their stories an integral part of our country's. The eloquent letters reveal intriguing details of life during the 19th century as experienced by real people. Themes in this presentation include transportation, education, medicine and disease, slavery, and feminism in 19th century America.
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Level: Intermediate
Length: 1 hr

​Genealogy 101 Workshop: "Who ARE You Anyway?

Learn techniques and strategies for researching your family's unique story.  Topics covered include how to plan a research project, where to look for clues and information, and how to organize what you find. 

Level: Beginner
Length: 1-1/2 hours or multi-session course (depending on group)
Ask me about additional information on getting started on a family history project. Private consultations are available.
The local history sources and archives included on this site are intended to assist others who are researching Massachusetts genealogy. 

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