Directory of Members

I am a Michigan (and Florida during the winter) based professional genealogist with more than 40 years experience in family history research. Through my research I have come to believe that we can understand ourselves better when we know about our ancestors. Over the years, I have helped patrons from around the country and the world in their research. I make the presentations I give relevant to those in attendance by including a variety of examples showing how the topic being discussed can be tailored to an individual's research.

I have been a contributing researcher for family history books and have written articles for a variety of magazines and newsletters.

I obtained  a Master's Degree from Wayne State University in Library and Information Science and worked as the Genealogy Librarian at Brighton District Library in Brighton, Michigan where I enjoyed assisting others in their efforts to learn about their ancestors, giving presentations on genealogy, helping preserve the history of Brighton and Livingston County and making that history easily accessible to others. I retired from the library in 2023 but continue giving presentations for genealogy clubs and libraries on a variety of topics.

• Beginning Genealogy
• Deciphering U.S. Special Census Schedules
• Exploring FamilySearch.org
• Exploring Ancestry Library Edition
• The Family Plot: Cemetery Research
• Finding Fabulous (and FREE) Genealogy Websites
• Finding FREE Digital Images Online
• Finding Your Female Ancestors
• I Can't Read That! Translating Foreign Genealogy Documents
• International Genealogical Research Online
• Military Records and Genealogy
• Organizing Your Genealogy
• Read All About It! Newspapers and Genealogy
• Researching Immigration and Naturalization Records
• Researching United States Land Records
• U.S. Federal Census
• Using County Histories for Genealogy
• Vital Records: Finding & Using Birth, Marriage & Death Records
• Where There's a Will: Probate Records and Genealogy

Requires Projector and Screen for presentations.
Internet access appreciated but not required.
Handouts provided.

For Virtual Presentations: Organization provides a Zoom link.

• The Villages Genealogical Society (The Villages, Florida)
  • Midwest Genealogy Special Interest Group 2025, 2024
  • Adoption and Mystery Kin Special Interest Group 2024
  • Eastern European Special Interest Group 2024
  • French Canadian Genealogy Special Interest Group 2024
  • Italian Genealogy Special Interest Group 2025, 2024
  • Jewish Genealogy Special Interest Group 2024
  • Northeastern Genealogy Special Interest Group 2024
• Grand Traverse Area Genealogical Society (Traverse City, Michigan) 2025, 2024, 2022, 2019
• Livingston County Genealogical Society (Howell, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2025, 2024, 2022
• Western Wayne County Genealogical Society (Livonia, Michigan), 2025
• Bay County Genealogical Society of Michigan (Bay City, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2024, 2021
• Eaton County Genealogical Society (Charlotte, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2024, 2022
• Brighton District Library (Brighton, Michigan) 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
• Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan (Detroit, Michigan), (virtual presentation) 2023
• Calhoun County Genealogical Society (Marshall, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2023
• Capital Area District Library (Lansing, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2023
• Detroit Society for Genealogical Research (Detroit, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2023
• Leland Township Public Library (Leland, Michigan) 2023
• Northville Genealogical Society (Northville, Michigan) 2023
• West Florida Genealogical Society Annual Conference (virtual presentation) 2023
• Western Michigan Genealogical Society (Grand Rapids, Michigan), 2022
• St. Clair County Genealogy & History Society (Belleville, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2022
• Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan (virtual presentation) 2021
• Lyon Township Public Library (South Lyon, Michigan) 2021, 2016
• Brighton United Methodist Church (Brighton, Michigan) (virtual presentation) 2020
• First (Park) Congregational Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan) 2020
• Benzie Area Genealogical Society (Benzonia, Michigan) 2019
• Georgetown Township Public Library (Jenison, Michigan) 2018
• Ionia County Genealogical Society (Lake Odessa, Michigan) 2016
• Salem-South Lyon Public Library (South Lyon, Michigan) 2013
• Peninsula Township Library (Traverse City, Michigan) 2012
• Cromaine District Library (Hartland, Michigan) 2012