My initial interest in family history began at age 11, when I questioned both my grandmothers about our family. I can still picture the green shoebox in which I stored my index cards of ancestors, and I recall how excited I was when my father brought home from work a roll of wide drafting paper so I could create a large pedigree chart.
Years later, as an adult, I became a more serious researcher, doing research in the National Archives and other brick-and-mortar repositories, and using the microfilmed resources of the Family History Library.
While preparing a presentation on Italian records for a conference at a local Family History Center, I realized that there were no practical, hands-on, how-to guides for people interested in their Italian ancestry. So I wrote one. It has been very helpful to many people.
With today’s technology, a large volume of information of genealogical value is available online. I take advantage of those online repositories, but I know that only a fraction of information is available online. Even with a subscription to Ancestry.com, a family historian needs an experienced guide to assist in winnowing the good information from the bad, fact from lore. I am that guide.
While I have a lot of experience with Pennsylvania and Italian research, I am comfortable with and have experience in many other localities.
I hope you will consider engaging me to help you connect the past to your present.
