Durango, Colorado, United States
I help curious families discover and explore their ancestors’ stories so they can connect to family, both past and present. I serve clients and teach students interested in either traditional or DNA research. Both clients and students can choose traditional genealogy research, using evidence from historical documents, or DNA research combining traditional research with DNA results. As a biologist (Ph.D. 1998), I understand how to use DNA results accurately and carefully and teach students to do the same. RESEARCH: Clients receive high-quality, thorough research by a genealogist who has been researching since 1994 and serving clients since 2011. Clients work with me to set concrete research objectives and decide whether to use traditional document-based research or to include DNA results in the research plan. Clients benefit from my problem-solving experience as a scientist, engineer and biologist. TEACHING: Students benefit from both my experience researching and my experience teaching students from elementary through college since 1991. I communicate complex concepts clearly through concrete examples. Students can choose private coaching, group coaching, online courses, live classes or combinations of these. Students have ample access to their instructor during group or private coaching sessions. WRITING & SPEAKING: Clients, students, and readers benefit from my experience writing clear prose for research reports, narrative family histories, class presentations and lesson handouts. I also write articles, books, and proposals for classes and grants. I continue to hone my speaking and presentation skills to better serve students. LIFELONG LEARNER: I continue to attend courses in genealogy, DNA, writing, teaching, and speaking, to keep up to date in all these fields. Ask me about my most recent coursework.
I help curious descendants discover and explore their ancestors' stories to connect with family about their or clarify events (positive and negative) that shaped the family. I seek historical documents and DNA connections to answer research questions, solve a family history mystery, or build a family tree. I offer expert research, classes, and individual coaching. My research combines traditional document-based research with DNA test results (when available). I specialize in US research and tracing immigrants back to Ireland, England, Canada, and Switzerland. I have traced immigrants from 12 countries. In the US, I specialize in tracing pioneer migration (into and across the country) and brick-wall research projects. I often help untangle the identities of same-named people. I work with census, military, church, land, tax, probate, and court records. I work with records from colonial to modern times. In Ireland, I trace the ancestors of immigrants who left Ireland from the 1600s to the 1900s. Most left in the 1700s (especially the Scots-Irish) or 1800s (including those who fled the famine). Some came directly to the US, while others spent years in England or Canada first. Despite the records lost when the Four Courts burned, a rich tapestry of records remain for both Catholic and Protestant Irish ancestors, and for Scots-Irish or Ulster Scot ancestors. I explore records held by archives in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, UK. In England, many church and civil records remain. We can trace many English families back to the English Civil War in the mid-1600s. We can trace some back to the Elizabethan era when parish records became mandatory. Earlier records exist for families who were prominent, land-owners, or who interacted with the church, military, or government (for good or ill). Canadian research often leads to immigrants from England, Ireland, or France. Swiss research requires finding the family's civil registration hometown.
Interviewed residents in follow-up surveys for the 2020 Census. Passed federal background check. Handled and protected confidential data. Used problem-solving skills to find and contact residents who had moved. Used customer service skills to encourage cooperation and elicit answers to interview questions. Located and traveled to properties across La Plata and San Juan Counties. Familiar with local geography, place names, and communities.
* Passed federal government background check. * Used automated devices (e.g., smartphones or laptop computers) to conduct job activities. * Reviewed assigned work to locate households for verifying addresses and/or conducting interviews to obtain 2020 Census questionnaire data from respondents. * Followed stringent guidelines and confidentiality laws to obtain accurate census responses/interviews. * Explained the purpose of the census interview, answered respondent's questions, collected responses, and recorded census data using electronic devices and/or paper forms. * Conducted interviews in both English and Spanish. * Verified and updated address lists and maps. * Followed procedures to conduct accurate work while maintaining acceptable quality and production standards. * Maintained and submitted records of hours worked, miles driven, and expenses incurred in the performance of duties. * Met/talked with supervisor, as necessary, to review procedures, report issues or concerns, and receive additional instructions.
Genealogy work for my family and others included tracing owners of antique artifacts, tracing ancestors' family trees, and finding evidence documenting family legends and stories. Prepared for a career as professional genealogist. Co-wrote article for the Journal of the Smith & Wesson Collector's Association using British military records and history to trace the career of a WWI British officer from markings on his service revolver. Traced his training and service through four different theatres of war: Egypt, Gallipoli, the Somme, and Passchendaele and located his grave. Located and interviewed two of his nephews. As a home educator (for K-4th), supported a student enrolled in a virtual public school using the hybrid curriculum (online and offline activities) from k12.com. Networked with teacher of record and other families to organize field trips and social events. For 5th grade, developed and taught a curriculum integrating language, literature, and history lessons to prepare for and reflect on a 3-week trip to Ireland, England, and France. Taught experience-centered math and science lessons. On his transfer to the local middle school, my student placed at or above grade level in all subjects, and a year advanced in math. Volunteered with other parents at local school to fundraise, and coach chess club and robotics team. As a volunteer chess coach ran a virtual chess club with over 100 members, ran weekly meetings, taught chess skills, and ran virtual tournaments. For the local chess club, helped run tournaments, and served as USCF Asst. Tournament Director. As a volunteer Cub Scout Leader (5 yrs) led activities for an active den and pack. Den activities included planning and leading weekly activities and field trips, and tracking progress toward awards. Pack duties included teamwork to plan and run monthly pack meetings, paperwork, ordering awards, and planning large events like district family camp and pack's 50th anniversary.
Taught Majors and Non-Majors Biology Lab Courses