Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting

Documents can unravel mysteries and reveal treasures, educating us on the truths that make up our family story. I strive to connect clients to their ancestors and history through research, transcripts, and translations. When we know the story, bonds are created, and we get a sense of belonging.

My story started by tracing my ancestors as they moved around Norway. Since then, I have done client work in all Scandinavian countries and the U.S. Researching ancestors and translating letters, journals, and documents that describe a person’s life brings great joy to the client and me.

DNA is in our genes and can unlock doors that have been locked for generations. Coupling DNA with traditional research can prove that your ancestors were exactly who you thought they were. Or, it can send you in a completely different direction, looking for new family and relations.

Some of my skills include:
Fluent in Norwegian, comfortable with Swedish, Danish, and French.
Read the old Gothic handwriting.
Professional translator.
Accredited Genealogist Professional^® through ICAPGen^SM.
Degree in U.S. family history research and DNA.

Geographic Specialities
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

Testimonials
I cannot recommend Torhild Shirley with Scandinavian Research Services enough! After receiving more than two dozen letters handwritten in Norwegian about 1950, I turned to her for translation services. She provided me with a typed version of the documents, with the translated text side by side with typed copy of the original Norwegian. Torhild also assisted with the translation of notes that had been written in margins of parish and land registers, as well as clarifying words that stumped me in Norwegian farm books. She communicated with me throughout the project and provided her help at a very reasonable price. I simply cannot thank her enough for her help with my research, and through her services I have a more full understanding of my Norwegian ancestors. I will definitely be reaching out to Torhild again as I continue to delve into my Norwegian roots. - Lauren Torhild Shirley was a valuable resource to me when I was researching my family history to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). As part of the application process, you must submit birth records, marriage records, and death records for every generation of ancestors dating back to your Patriot (your ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War), including their spouses. I hit a roadblock with my Norwegian great-grandfather, as I had no knowledge of how to research Norwegian records, no understanding of the naming conventions, and no understanding of the language. I turned to Torhild for help, and she was able to obtain a birth record and confirmation record for me and also provide the translation of the documents so that it could become an official part of my membership packet! I am very excited to say that I am now a member of the DAR, which has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I could not have done it without Torhild's help! - Debbi Torhild Shirley has given me much kind, knowledgeable support as I have researched my Norwegian roots. She has suggested resources unknown to me and then helped me translate and interpret the clues available in these records. At one point, I found the correct names in northern Norway but could not determine if they were in my line. She went to census records and to records of the previous generation to determine that this couple could not be on my line in spite of the similarities. She is an organized thinker able to understand my dilemmas and to recognize a way to proceed to solve. I appreciate her professionalism. - Joan

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century

Languages
Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, French, German.

Honorifics/Credentials
AG®

Certificates
Family History Research (Brigham Young University, Idaho).
Advanced Family History Research (Brigham Young University, Idaho).
Proving Your Pedigree with DNA (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, Utah).
DNA Academy (Trace, Utah).
Research Like a Pro with DNA (FamilyLocket, Utah).

Affiliations
Association of Professional Genealogist Norwegian American Historical Association Genealogy Society of Norway The Federation of Swedish Genealogical Societies Danish Genealogical Society Genealogical Society of Finland Finland's Family History Association

Degrees
Association in Arts, Translation (University of Agder, Norway).
Association in Arts, Family History (Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg