I am a Qualified Genealogist (QG), professional researcher, and speaker holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. Combining advanced academic training with decades of police investigative experience, I specialize in breaking through brick walls, evidence analysis, and rigorous record evaluation.

As an active lecturer for genealogical and historical societies, my primary focus is teaching researchers at all levels—from foundational skills and essential records to complex case studies and investigative brick-wall strategies. Beyond private client research and speaking, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Genealogical Society and the Alexander Ramsey House, and have served as a DAR Chapter Registrar verifying lineage applications.

Lectures

Core Research & Essential Records

• Introduction to Genealogy: Beginners learn essential first steps—including setting goals, understanding core records, and organizing finds—to build a clear research plan.

• Beyond Beginning Genealogy: Intermediate researchers learn how to focus their inquiries, track down targeted records, and weigh evidence using proven research strategies.

• Hatch, Match and Dispatch: This session explores where to locate vital birth, marriage, and death records and how to extract the most accurate information from them.

• US Census Records: Attendees discover what each census year reveals alongside problem-solving strategies to uncover hidden stories within the columns.

On-the-Ground & Regional Repositories

• Researching at the County Courthouse: This talk guides researchers through vital, land, probate, and guardianship records to build confidence navigating courthouse repositories.

• Problem Solving Using Cemetery Records: Moving beyond headstones, this presentation covers cemetery record keeping, office files, and strategies that turn visits into new discoveries.

• Finding Minnesota Records in Free Resources: Researchers learn to navigate no-cost regional tools, including the MHS People Finder, Iron Range Research Center, MOMS marriage index, and digitized city directories.

• Navigating FamilySearch: This session teaches search techniques, filters, wildcards, and full-text search to access the 70% of FamilySearch records that remain unindexed.

Specialized Record Sets

• UK Census Records: Attendees learn how to navigate 1841–1921 rules, trace mobile ancestors, and extract clues from British household schedules to connect US and UK research.

• Naturalization Records: This presentation examines evolving naturalization laws and paperwork to uncover immigrant birthplaces, arrival details, and family connections.

Advanced Methodology & Detective Work

• Strategies for Genealogy Brick Walls: Built on real-world investigative experience, this talk demonstrates how to approach difficult roadblocks using specialized tools and underused records.

• Case Study in Genealogical Problem Solving: Attendees follow a real identity mystery—"Who was Ellen Call?"—from initial question to resolution using timelines, spreadsheets, and the Genealogical Proof Standard.

Repositories
Minnesota Historical Society

Certificates
Certificate in Genealogical Research (Boston University)