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Claire Smith

Genealogist/Couch/Lecturer
206-331-1373
United States
 
Currently accepting clients for...
  • DNA
  • Family History Research
  • Speaking / Presenting
  • Other Speciality
Family History Research
  • DNA
  • Dual Citizenship
  • Family History Research
  • Tutor / Coach
Speaking/Presenting
  • Family History Research
  • Methodology & Resources
  • Technology
  • Available for in-person events
  • Available for virtual events
Writing/Publishing
  • Tutor / Coach
Other Speciality
  • Dual Citizenship

I have more than 25 years of experience in genealogy research. I love solving challenging problems by using the best practices and methodologies. I combine traditional research with technology to manage research and find new ways to analyze problems. I’m an optimizer, always looking for a better way. 

My ​research experience spans New England, Atlantic Canada, Ireland, England, and the West Indies including both traditional and DNA research.

Former tech executive, building better organizations to provide outstanding customer support. Past Director, Seminar Program Chair for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council.
Past president, mentor, and webmaster (2006-2015) for the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society.

Geographic Specialities
New England
Ireland
England
Atlantic Canada
West Indies
Lectures
Piecing it Together, Discovering a Family Secret Using a Variety of Records
Shaking Loose the Clues: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research 
Getting Unstuck: Working Through Research Problems
Are You Really My Ancestor? Sorting Out People with the Same Name
Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors
Researching Irish Ancestors
What Now? Organizing, Analyzing and Correlating Your Genealogy Discoveries
Researching Your Ancestral Places
Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors
Wills & Probate Records for Genealogy  Research 
Tips and Tricks for Smart Genealogy Research
Did Your Ancestor Leave Vital Records?
Mining Information about Your Ancestors
Using Census Records Researching Your Ancestral Places
Using Collateral Relatives to Solve Research Problems
Repositories
Massachusetts Archives
Massachusetts Historical Society
New England Historic Genealogical Society
Archdiocese of Boston Archives
Boston Public Library
New Hampshire Archives
New Hampshire State Library
Nova Scotia Archives
Prince Edward Island Public Archives and Records Office
National Archives of the United Kingdom
National Archives of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
Tailte Éireann (Ireland Valuation Office)
Research Time Periods
  • 21st Century
  • 20th Century
  • 19th Century
  • 18th Century
  • 17th Century
  • 16th Century and Earlier
Honorifics/Credentials
Completed institute classes:
  Irish Research 2 at Genealogy Research Institute of Pittsburgh
  Irish Research 3 at Genealogy Research Institute of Pittsburgh
  Tackling Touch Research Problems at Genealogy Research Institute of Pittsburgh
  Writing and Publishing for Genealogists at the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research
Graduate of the ProGen professional genealogy study group

  
Certificates
Certificate in “Genealogical Research” from Boston University
Certificate in “Genealogy and Family History” from the University of Washington
​Certificate in Irish Family History (Advanced) from City Colleges
Certificate in Irish Family History (Foundation) from City Colleges
Affiliations
Association of Professional Genealogists APG, New England Chapter 
National Genealogical Society
New England Historic Genealogical Society
Massachusetts Society of Genealogists New Hampshire Society of Genealogists
Essex Society of Genealogists
Irish Genealogical Research Society