I am a professional genealogist, writer and historical researcher in Oshawa, Ontario. I specialize in Canadian and Eastern European (Czech, German and Polish) records. I recently finished advanced level genealogical training in German Records from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies.
I recently retired as the Executive Director of the Oshawa Museum, a museum dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Oshawa’s history. My passion for public history has led to conference presentations at provincial, national and international conferences including the Ontario Museum Association, History of Education Society, the Oral History Association and the Association of Gravestone Studies.
In 2005, while fulfilling the requirements for a Masters Degree, I developed a classification system for 19th century Ontario gravestones which allowed for a more systematic approach to the transcription and preservation of gravestones. This work led to the publication of her first book, Memento Mori: Classifying Nineteenth Century Ontario Gravestones in 2009 with a revised and expanded edition appearing in 2013. An article based on this research was awarded the Doug Grandy Award for the best article published that year by the Durham Region Chapter of the Ontario Genealogical Society in 2010.
I am passionate about the storytelling power of genealogy and history and have taught oral history at Trent University and Durham College. I acted as oral history project consultant for several organizations including the Oshawa Historical Society, Parkwood Foundation and the Sea Cadets Bowmanville Chapter. My work as project director for the Oshawa Historical Society’s oral history project and publication, Lakefront Memories, was recognized by the Ontario Museum Association with an Award of Merit for outstanding research.
I’ve authored numerous articles on various topics that have appeared in such diverse publications as The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, The Ontario Historical Society, Ontario Museum Association, Association for Gravestone Studies and The Writers Community of Durham Region.
I currently contribute my time to several committees including as a board member of the Ontario Historical Society and co-chair of its Preservation and Cemeteries Committee and the Women’s Herstory Connection of Durham Region. I am a proud member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Czechoslovakia Genealogy Society International, Germanic Genealogy Society and Association for Gravestone Studies.
Contact
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