Currently accepting clients for...

• Speaking / Presenting
• Writing /Publishing
• Other Speciality

MSLS, Genealogist and library professional with over 30 years of research experience. Most research projects geared towards brick walls/research challenges, including in-depth analysis. Many projects directed towards digital storytelling: TV production, script writing, podcasting, hosting, on-air talent for various programs. Other professional roles include: Author, national speaker, editor, archivist, etc.

Currently: Director of Library and Archives for the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) - Genealogical Research Library located in the National SAR Headquarters in downtown Louisville, KY. Producer and host of the BloodRoot Podcast. Speaker at nationally recognized conferences (since 2012). Blogger at Genealogy Literacy. Previously: Head of Library and Archives at the Kentucky Historical Society (10+ years). Producer and Research Coordinator for the award winning Kentucky Ancestors TV Show (Seasons 1 & 2 - ABC affiliate stations, including Cincinnati market). Content coordinator/scripter for This Week in Kentucky History (2018-2021, radio spots through local NPR affiliate). On-Air talent for various TV shows: Mysteries at the Museum (Travel Channel), Kentucky Ancestors (genealogy tips), Kentucky History Treasures (WTVQ, Lexington, KY station), Contributing author to 2018 book, Genealogy and the Librarian. Editor of Kentucky Ancestors Online (2013-2022). Researcher for live Finding Your Roots special event.

Areas of research expertise: Ohio Valley and Southern US, African American history, brick wall challenges, 18th and 19th century social history. Archival care and preservation of organizational and personal collections.Converting research to usable script (TV, video, radio, podcast, etc.); Genealogy Literacy/Education. Not taking traditional clients at this time - Will consider writing, speaking engagements and/or TV/digital projects/consultations on a case by case basis.

Additional specialities or search keywords
Preservation, Archives

Publications/Media
BOOK CONTRIBUTIONS:
Genealogy and the Librarian: Perspectives on Research, Instruction, Outreach and Management (2018, McFarland Publishers); Editors: Vera Gubnitskaia & Carol Smallwood. Chapter: "Genealogy Literacy: Helping Patrons Build Stable Trees through Information Literacy Standards"; Chapter: "Crowdsourcing Genealogy with Tea and Sympathy: Outreach Approaches that Instruct and Engage"

Discovering Our Past (Hopewell Museum Education Committee) 1999 Chapter: "Oral History"

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS:
"The Sour Mash Whiskey Recipe of Catherine Carpenter", Kentucky Ancestors Online, 2019
"Story Within a Story: The New Year's Day Slave Auction of 1846", Kentucky Ancestors Online, 2018
"Project Management Software", FGS Forum, Vol. 29, Num. 4, Winter 2017
"Brick by Brick: Building Your Brick Wall", Kentucky Ancestors (Print), Vol. 48, Issue 2, Winter 2013
"Brick by Brick: Tips for Dismantling Your Brick Wall", Kentucky Ancestors (Print), Vol. 48, Issue 3, Spring 2013
"Shadows of Eastern State Hospital", Ace Weekly, Lexington KY, December 2010

Lectures
Many topics and presentations given over the past decade, please see my Portfolio and Speaking pages of the Genealogy Literacy website for a complete list.

Repositories
State and local repositories of area specialties, including court houses, universities, archives, etc. Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT.

Research Time Periods

• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century

Languages
English

Affiliations
Member: NGS, DAR, SLVGS, KHS

Degrees
MSLS - Master of Science in Library Science - Specializing in Archival Management
BA - Bachelor of Arts - History