Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research

I am an expert at online research and use a wide variety of little-known sources. I am also willing to visit libraries, courthouses, archives, and genealogical societies throughout central Illinois & Indiana.

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I have been doing genealogy personally since 1999, and professionally as a librarian since 2008. While earning my Masters in Library Science, I specialized in local history and genealogy research. I have attended a variety of local, state, and national conferences and trainings, and have extensive knowledge of an array of record types - both on-site and online.  I also hold a certificate Genealogical Research from Boston University and attended the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records at the National Archives in 2024. I hope to submit my portfolio to the Board for Certification of Genealogists by the end of the year (2024).

I have presented a wide variety of genealogy programs and trainings at my library from how to get started with Ancestry.com to breaking down brick walls. I am a member of the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, traveling across the state sharing stories of local history. My current project is on the children who were brought to Illinois on the Orphan Trains.

I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Territorial Guard Society of Indiana and the  Society of Civil War Families of Indiana. I have also submitted successful applications to the Illinois State Genealogical Society's Prairie Pioneers project. I would be happy to assist others with their lineage society applications.

Geographic Specialities
United States
United States, Midwest
United States, Illinois
United States, Illinois, Clark County
United States, Indiana

Testimonials
"First - wow.  Just wow."

"Thanks so much for your devotion and assistance with genealogy research.  Your efforts to locate my great great grandfather ... were amazing."

"I am amazed that you amassed all of this information so quickly!  This is wonderful, thank you!"

"I am so excited to get this information...  You did in a few short hours what I've not been able to do in 24 years."

Repositories
Marshall Public Library (Clark County, Illinois)
Charleston Public Library (Coles County, Illinois)
Vigo County Public Library (Vigo County, Indiana)
Other Public Libraries in central Illinois/Indiana

County Courthouses in Illinois and Indiana

Local Cemeteries

Genealogical Societies in Illinois and Indiana

Illinois State Library

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century

Languages
English

Certificates
Certificate of Genealogical Research, Boston University
Genealogical Institute on Federal Records, 2024

Affiliations
Clark County Historical Society, Secretary

Association of Professional Genealogists
National Genealogical Society
Illinois Genealogical Society
Indiana Genealogical Society
 

Degrees
BS, Life Science, Indiana State University
MS, Library Science, Clarion University