Currently accepting clients for...

• DNA
• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting
• Writing /Publishing

I enjoy researching (any ethnic background) and writing up a family history; analyzing ephemera, artifacts and heirlooms, incorporating DNA research.


 

Geographic Specialities

• CT, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VT, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York City
• Canada (Ontario, Quebec), England, Italy, Ireland, (others)

Publications/Media
Book on Erie Canal, forthcoming.

"When I am Dead and Gon'," Old Saybrook Historical Society, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. 2019.
"Reflected in the Water: Women in Canal Towns (1817?1917)," Tree Talks. CentralNY Genealogical Society. Vol. 58, No. 3, September 2018. "
The World of Women: Life and Work on the NY State Canals." Tree Talks. Central NY Genealogical Society. June 2017.
"Sleep Tight: Passenger Travel on the Erie Canal in the 19th Century." Tree Talks. Central NY Genealogical Society. September 2016.

Book Reviews:
"Larkin. Overcoming Niagara: Canals, Commerce, and Tourism in the Niagara-Great Lakes Borderland Region, 1792-1837. in The Record, Volume 149, Issue 4. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, October 2018.
"Kelly. Heaven's Ditch: God, Gold and Murder on the Erie Canal." The Record, Volume 148, Issue 1. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. January 2017.
"Goodwin, New York City Municipal Archives: An Authorized Guide for Family Historians." The Record, Volume 148, Issue 3. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. July 2017.

Lectures
Inquire for Topics: Canadian research (including Ontario; Loyalists, German Militia in the Rev. War; Quebec) DNA / Case Studies Methodologies North American Canals Record Sets & Repositories (Canal Records, CCC Records, NARA, USSC, Women's Suffrage), Transportation Routes & Modes (Railways, Roadways, Waterways).Italians in U.S., U.K. and Canada; Alsatian and Hungarian research.

Repositories

• Archives of Ontario (Toronto, Canada)
• Brockville Historical Society (Brockville, Canada) (also familiar with archives in Ottawa, Montreal, Shawville, Aylmer, Smiths Falls); 
• Flower Library (Genealogy Division) Watertown, NY; Jefferson County Historical Society; 
• Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse; 
• New Jersey State Archives, Trenton; 
• New York State Library & Archives, Albany ;
• Oneida History Center, Utica, NY; 
• Old Saybrook Historical Society, Saybrook, CT;
• Onondaga Historical Association; 
• Rome Historical Society, Rome NY; 
• Schenectady Historical Society; 
• St. Lawrence County Historical Society; 
• NYC area repositories

Research Time Periods

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

Languages
Reads French, Italian, Hebrew, Latin; several other languages.

Honorifics/Credentials
MA., PLCGS

Certificates

• Certificate in Genealogical Research (Boston University)
• PLCGS, International Institute of Genealogical Studies,  Librarianship
• ProGen Study Group; Canadian Studies 
• Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy (SLIG); courses in methods, Irish research, Law, New England, several DNA courses;  Course coordinator (2025) "A Century of Change..."
• Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)  many courses in person and online
• IGHR (Institute of Genealogical and History Research) Georgia. Writing courses.

Affiliations
Forensic-SIG NE-APG NY-APG
National Genealogical Society Member and mentor
NGS GenProof Studies (mentor)
VP of Programming, Italian Genealogical Group (current)
Director of Italian Studies, International Institute of Genealogical Studies (current)
New York Genealogical & Biographical Society
Ontario Genealogical Society (Toronto & Brockville)
Schenectady Historical Society
Oneida County History Center
Albany Institute of History & Art

Hackman Research Scholar, New York State Archives, Albany (2024-2025)
American Society of Genealogists grant recipient (2025)

 

Degrees
B.A. (Dual) (English/Theater History), M.A. (Middle Eastern Studies (History/Literature/Languages) Post-Grad (ABD Ph.D. )