Julie Cahill Tarr
Accredited Genealogist® ~ Author ~ Editor ~ Instructor
Brass Oak Genealogy
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
- Writing /Publishing
Family History Research
- Tutor / Coach
Writing/Publishing
- Author/Writer
- Editor
- Graphic Designer
As an Accredited Genealogist®, I am a researcher, author, editor, and instructor. Through my Genealogy In Action brand, I primarily help other genealogists expand their research capabilities by providing educational resources such as guides, videos, and online courses. Currently, I serve as the managing editor for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly and proofreader for the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society's journal, the Record.
My Story
Back in 2007, I set out on quest to prove a family story, and in the course of doing so, I came to realize that I really didn’t know who my family was. All of my great-grandparents were gone before I was born, and all my grandparents and my father died by the time I was twelve. So for me, genealogy research became my connection to the past and the immediate family I never really got a chance to know. I continue to do research to maintain that connection, so for me, it is very personal. (But, I will admit, I love the thrill of the hunt and all the neat discoveries I come across on my journey.)
Before I set out on my professional genealogy endeavor, I enjoyed the career of a technical writer after earning my bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois State University. I loved taking difficult concepts and making them understandable. I loved the research involved in many of my projects. I loved helping people learn. While I sometimes miss my old “day job,” I have found a way to take those skills and combine them with my passion for genealogy. Since 2011, I have been a professional genealogist, helping clients discover and share their family history.
Research Interests
I specialize in Midwestern US research, with a focus on Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. I also have a strong background in Luxembourg research. My personal and professional research has led me to all sorts of places including colonial New England (particularly Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont); upstate New York; Ontario, Canada; Germany/Prussia; France, Ireland, Italy, and England.
My Story
Back in 2007, I set out on quest to prove a family story, and in the course of doing so, I came to realize that I really didn’t know who my family was. All of my great-grandparents were gone before I was born, and all my grandparents and my father died by the time I was twelve. So for me, genealogy research became my connection to the past and the immediate family I never really got a chance to know. I continue to do research to maintain that connection, so for me, it is very personal. (But, I will admit, I love the thrill of the hunt and all the neat discoveries I come across on my journey.)
Before I set out on my professional genealogy endeavor, I enjoyed the career of a technical writer after earning my bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois State University. I loved taking difficult concepts and making them understandable. I loved the research involved in many of my projects. I loved helping people learn. While I sometimes miss my old “day job,” I have found a way to take those skills and combine them with my passion for genealogy. Since 2011, I have been a professional genealogist, helping clients discover and share their family history.
Research Interests
I specialize in Midwestern US research, with a focus on Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. I also have a strong background in Luxembourg research. My personal and professional research has led me to all sorts of places including colonial New England (particularly Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont); upstate New York; Ontario, Canada; Germany/Prussia; France, Ireland, Italy, and England.
Repositories
- FamilySearch Library
- Illinois Regional Archives Depository Branches
- Illinois State Archives
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
- Wisconsin Historical Society Library & Archives
- Various repositories in northern Illinois and southeast Wisconsin
Research Time Periods
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
Honorifics/Credentials
AG®
AG®
Degrees
BA (English)
BA (English)