Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting

Kate is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her second child. Therefore, she will not be accepting any new projects until after her maternity leave ends in late February 2025. 

Kate is a former professional investigator turned genealogist specializing in Pennsylvania and Ohio genealogical research. She also has experience with court records, immigration, and naturalization records. Kate is the owner of Family History Investigations LLC. She is also the Immediate Past Chair of the National Genealogical Society Delegate Council.

Kate has spoken at national and local genealogical societies, libraries, and conferences, including the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference, New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, and RootsTech.

Kate completed Boston University's Certificate in Genealogical Research in May 2020. Since then, she has completed continuing education at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). She is a graduate of ProGen 58. Kate holds the Certified Genealogist® credential.

Although Kate has been working on her own family history since she was sixteen, her interest in investigating and researching professionally was piqued when she served as an Archives Technician at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) while completing her undergraduate studies. She worked as a resource for amateur and professional genealogical researchers, alike, assisting them in conducting database and archives records research. Additionally, she gained experience with primary source documents in her first position with NARA, where she worked in the holdings maintenance department, preserving and cataloging records dating back to the 1800s.

Whether you want to discover when a particular ancestor arrived in America, find evidence that your great-great-grandfather served in the Civil War, or identify your maternal great-grandmother, Kate can assist you with your genealogical research pursuits. Kate will work with you to formulate a research plan and research question(s) to accomplish your goals.

Projects typically are completed by addressing one or two research questions at a time, the findings of which are outlined in a comprehensive research report. Projects are billed hourly, and outside expenses (i.e., repository fees, travel, parking, etc.) are billed to the Client. Most projects require 15 to 25 hours of research and writing time. Kate offers the following services:

Consultations

Are you new to genealogy? Are you overwhelmed looking at websites like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org? Or do you need help breaking down a brick wall? Either way, Kate can help guide you in your genealogical endeavors with one-on-one research consultations.

Document Retrieval

Live in California but desperately want a record from the Pennsylvania State Archives? Kate will travel to repositories in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, to obtain copies of the records you need.

Dual Citizenship

Do you believe you might qualify for citizenship by descent in one of your ancestral homelands? Kate can help determine whether you are eligible based on her knowledge of immigration records. She can also help obtain the documentation necessary for your application in the United States.

Family History Books

Do you want a unique and sentimental gift for a loved one? Or have you been doing family history research for years and want help designing a way to commemorate it? Kate can help create and design a family history book that will be treasured for years.

Family History Research

Do you want to know more about your family but don't know where to start? Have you been doing genealogical research for a while but need help breaking down a brick wall? Do you want to know more detailed information about an ancestor’s life? Kate can help evaluate what can be done to address these research problems.

Publications/Media
From Wolverhampton, England to Allegheny City to Wolverhampton: Discovering What Happened to Harry Townsend" Published by the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society in April 2023

Lectures

Applying Investigative Skills from the Financial Crime World to Genealogy

Kate started her career as an investigator fighting financial crime. Learn how to apply the skill set she developed investigating fraud, money laundering and high-net worth individuals to your genealogical research pursuits.

*A version of this presentation geared towards professionals in the forensic field of genealogy is also available.

A Guide to Western Pennsylvania Court Records Research

Learn why and how to conduct research for your ancestors in Western Pennsylvania court records.

Beyond the Basics: Effectively Using Ancestry.com

Whether you're a newbie or you consider yourself an old pro, there is always more to learn on Ancestry.com. Make sure that you're using the best research practices possible while using the site. Learn how to efficiently gather as much information as possible about your ancestors and prevent yourself from climbing up the wrong branch of your family tree.

Beyond the Computer Screen: Planning for Repository Visits

If most of your genealogical research is conducted in your pajamas, it's time to venture to the repository. Learn how to plan for this adventure.

Building Genealogical Database Research Skills One Search String at a Time

Do you know how to use wildcards and Boolean operators? Learn more about these topics and how to create search strings.

Court Records Research without the Law Degree

Court records are an underutilized genealogical resource. Discover how to explore courthouses (no law degree required) to find records involving your ancestors.

Effective Research Documentation: How and Why

Have you ever conducted the same search twice? Uncover the keys to avoiding this cycle by documenting your research appropriately the first time around.

England and Wales Vital Records Research 101

Did you know that you can access many England and Wales Vital Records (plus Wills and Probate) without crossing the pond? Learn the history of these records and how to order and receive them from the comfort of your home.

Follow the Records and See Where They Go!

Get into the habit of "following the records." Often if you find one record, it leaves a trail to something else. Learn about some common examples of how following clues in records sets can lead you to a treasure trove of more information.

It's Not Just about Your Ancestors! Preserving Your Family History

Preserving your family history starts with you! What's the point of calling yourself a family historian, if you don't make it easy for future generations to know about your life? Gain some ideas on how to organize your personal archive beyond the family treasures of your ancestors.

Lessons Learned: A Cautionary Tale of Common Genealogical Mistakes

As a beginner, Kate climbed up the wrong branch of her family tree. Learn techniques (with antidotes) to avoid the error of her (old) ways.

Pittsburgh Genealogy 101: A Guide to Researching in the Steel City

Have you dabbled in genealogical research for your Pittsburgh ancestors? Do you think there might be more records out there, but you don't know where or how to find them? Learn what is available both online and offline. We aren't just talking about birth, marriage and death records (although we'll cover those too!). Find out how you can also access more atypical genealogical records (i.e. criminal records, coroner's files, divorce records, etc.) for your Pittsburgh based ancestors.

So You Want to Know More About Your Family History?

Do you want to know more about your family history, but don't know where to start? Learn some tips and tricks to uncover information regarding your ancestors using online resources like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and Newspapers.com. Whether you don't know anything beyond your grandparents' names or you already know that your great-great-great-father was a private in the Union Army, learn the basics of how to effectively and efficiently research using these online databases.

Stop the Presses! Incorporating Newspaper Records into your Research

Newspaper records are not just useful for identifying the obituaries of your ancestors. Learn about an additional level of information that might exist as well as where and how to find it.

Tips and Tricks to Optimize Your Genealogical Search Net

Are you utilizing search techniques to their potential? Do you know what "Boolean" means? Learn how to optimize your searches to find new genealogical treasures.

Tracking Your Ancestors Through Time: Utilizing Timelines to Enhance Your Research

Do you need a new research tool in your wheelhouse to help with a research question and/or give you a better understanding of your ancestor(s)? Learn how a timeline can give you a greater understanding of your ancestor's life and their relationships.

Unlocking the Keystone State

Do you have ancestors who hail from the Keystone State? If so, it's time to learn about Pennsylvania's records and repositories.

Writing Clear and Concise Client Reports for Yourself and Others

Learn how to write client reports that your clients will want to read by learning best practices for structure, format, and writing.

Repositories
Repositories in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio

Research Time Periods

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

Honorifics/Credentials
CG®

Certificates
Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University

Affiliations
Association of Professional Genealogists, Association of Professional Genealogists Great Lakes Chapter, National Genealogical Society, Genealogical Speakers Guild

Degrees
BA in American Studies from The George Washington University; MA in Cultural Heritage Studies from University College London