Currently accepting clients for...

• DNA
• Speaking / Presenting

Connie started researching family history alongside her grandmother. This interest lead to achieving a certificate in Family History and Genealogy from the University of WA in 1999. That program culminated in a project on her 3x great grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Oliver Ellis, MD based on family correspondence and focusing on several aspects of his life: religion, medicine, and the Civil War in California. Connie's career in nursing (as a clinical nurse specialist and geriatric nurse practitioner) kept family history as a parallel interest for many years. Since 2018, Connie has accepted genetic genealogy clients. Connie completed ProGen 46 in 2021. Connie focuses on helping people build their own genealogy skills as a way of learning more about themselves and their connection to history. Family history can challenge our identity and the beliefs we hold about our families and our society. It can also be a path towards understanding, growth, strength, resilience, and action. One of her chief interests is reparative genealogy. Connie is a dual Canadian-American citizen and works with clients on both sides of the border. You will also find Connie at Your DNA Guide, working with Diahan Southard's team as a coach and instructor and supporting Linked Descendants, a working group of Coming to the Table. Linked descendants are people who are "connected to one another through slavery and its legacies." 

Geographic Specialities
As a genetic genealogist, I am familiar with research in many European countries, throughout the United States and in Canada. I can also guide you towards knowledgeable genealogists when you need a deeper dive into a locality.

Testimonials
"As you were instrumental in sorting out a lost relationship, I thought you might enjoy hearing what has since transpired. I have been corresponding with the relative you identified and last week we finally had the chance to meet. It was most enjoyable and I could see my family in their face and mannerisms. But the biggest surprise was that they had spent some time going through their family photo albums and were able to find photos that linked the families together. Thank you again for all your help. None of this would have come to be without your assistance."
-Client D.S, 2021

"I contacted Connie after finding out that my paternal grandfather and I were not related after DNA testing on 23andMe. She guided me through the test results and assisted me in finding others who shared DNA that didn't match any other branch of my known family tree. We sent out requests to those people who had shared their DNA results on Ancestry and within a day we had found the family of my "new" grandfather. I am in contact with them almost every day. Without Connie's assistance I may never have worked my way through all of the available data to determine who my actual family was. Connie was very professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. She kept me on track and got results almost immediately. I am now following up with her to learn how to redo my Ancestry Family Tree as well as learning about so many other sites."
-Client C.F., 2021

"Connie was a great mentor in helping me do research to find my biological father. She was very kind, affordable and knowledgeable. Connie would email and Skype with me every so often giving me new tips and videos to watch to aid in my search. With her help I was able to find the person I was looking for and I am forever grateful."
-Client M.S., 2019

Additional specialities or search keywords
WikiTree

Lectures

• Introduction to WikiTree
• WikiTree: What's In It for Me
• WikiTree and DNA
• 10 Amazing Things You Can Do at WikiTree
• Genealogy Best Practices and Processes (DNA and documentary research)
• Getting Started with YDNA
• YDNA and autosomal DNA: Better Together
• Why BigY 700?
• Making the most of MyHeritage
• Understanding Relationship Calculators at Ancesty, MyHeritage, and the Shared cM Project
• Going Beyond Autosomal DNA: What can YDNA, mtDNA and XDNA do for me?
• Unsettling Truths about our Ancestors
• Communication Skills for Genealogists
• Take a Road Trip with Your DNA

Certificates
Family History and Genealogy, University of WA, 1999

Affiliations

• British Columbia Genealogical Society
• Association for Professional Genealogists
• Virtual Genealogical Association
• Coming to the Table

Degrees

• Master of Nursing (Gerontology)
• Bachelor of Science (Nursing)