Stephanie Pitcher Whittier
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
- Writing /Publishing
- Document Retrieval / Record Agent
- Family History Research
- Heraldry / Lineage Societies
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
- Writing & Publishing
- Available for in-person events
- Available for virtual events
- Author/Writer
- Editor
- Graphic Designer
- House Historian / Local History
- Oral Historian
- Web Design
Stephanie Pitcher Whittier has been researching her family history full of farmers, preachers, and teachers since 1998 believing every ordinary life is worth telling. Through Gathered Histories Research & Writing, she helps families recover the people behind the names - the farmers, mill workers, teachers, and neighbors whose stories were never written down.
Based in Hilliard, near Columbus, Stephanie specializes in Ohio and Georgia research, with ready access to central Ohio repositories and the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne. Her work follows the Genealogical Proof Standard and is cited to Evidence Explained standards, and she draws on cluster (FAN) research to find people the records overlook.
Stephanie is also a published author (writing as Stephanie Pitcher Fishman), and writing is at the heart of her practice. Alongside research, she writes local and house histories and collaborates with families on personal histories and memoirs. She believes strongly in capturing a parent's or grandparent's story while there is still time. She also has a personal drive to honor someone recently lost through narrative projects.
A homeschool parent since 2000, Stephanie has a strong interest in bringing the love of family history research and local history knowledge to the younger generations. She has created family history programs for children, edited published works centered on the topic, and planned local history clubs and cooperative learning classes for the homeschool community.
Services:
- genealogical research and research reports
- local, community, and house histories
- personal history and memoir writing
- family history narratives
- family history website design and maintenance
- local and family history education for students
Stephanie is currently completing the Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (IIGS). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Civic Engagement and has worked with nonprofit organizations through advocacy and communication roles.
Ohio (especially central Ohio and Franklin County), Pennsylvania, Georgia, with broader Midwest and Southeast research.
For a current list of selected publications, please visit https://www.gatheredhistories.com/about.
- Ohio History Connection Archives & Library (State Archives)
- Columbus Metropolitan Library: Local History & Genealogy
- Ohio Genealogical Society Library
- Central Ohio repositories (courthouses, libraries, genealogical and local history societies, etc.)
- Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center (IN)
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- Basic Methodology (International Institute for Genealogical Studies)
- Basic American Records (International Institute for Genealogical Studies)
- Memoir & Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship` with Your Reader (Wesleyan University)
- Social Media Management (Meta)
- Association of Professional Genealogists
- National Genealogical Society
- Ohio Genealogical Society
- Georgia Genealogical Society
- Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society (OH)
- American Ancestors
BA Civic Engagement, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire