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About me

I am exceptionally good at finding and managing information.

Historical documents are my favourite, but I really enjoy organizing collections, too!

You never know how different points of your life will intersect. 


In the 1980's, after my father passed away, my maternal grandmother introduced me to my life's passions, genealogy and history. This ultimately led me to obtain my bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Manitoba. 


While kicking around deciding what to do with my life, I worked at a law firm on a law suit that, at the time, had the largest document collection for civil litigation in Canadian History. I was the project supervisor. That's where I learned how much I love to organize paper and the value of a good database. It gave me the experience to then teach a variety of classes at a community college in Winnipeg, including how to use office software, including - you guessed it! - databases. 


Fast forward a few years and I heard about contract work with the federal government working on litigation files for Indian Affairs. To be able to immerse myself in Canada's history and be a part of resolving historic injustices with Indigenous people has been incredibly rewarding for me. I've been doing that for over 20 years. 


In that time, I got certified in two seemingly unrelated disciplines. I become a Summation Support Specialist which gave me credentials to use and teach a database software program specific to the legal industry. The second certificate is my Public Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. 


When I look back on my life, I see how where I am now is the result of what seemed like wildly diverse choices through my adult life. Yet here I am, relating everything together and putting it to good use. I love it!


I've had clients from the business world, as well as private individuals. I get the same sense of adventure and satisfaction working with either of them. I have found over the years that, as well as doing the work, I deeply enjoy mentoring people in their own research journeys.


Whether your project is large or small, or if you just need to run some ideas around, I would love to help you.


~Laura

Career Highlights

Since May 2022, I have been a successful, professional research consultant and genealogist. Some of the types of work I did include,


  • Developing research goals and plans;
  • Researching historical issues and individuals;
  • Preparing analytical reports and presentations based on my research;
  • Conducting genealogical analyses for families and for communities;
  • Leading research teams in the planning, management and quality assurance of research, and coordinate activities of research teams; including: preparation of project terms of reference; and
  • Planning and executing research trips to local and international destinations to acquire primary documentation and data.


I am proud to have spent time learning about the things that interest me most. My educational accomplishments include the following:


  • Bachelor of Arts degree (Anthropology). University of Manitoba.
  • Certificate in Genealogical Studies – Canadian Records (University of Toronto, St.Michael’s College, National Institute of Genealogical Studies)
  • Summation Support Specialist Certificate 
  • Livelink Training (City of Calgary) 
  • Records for Disposition/Archives (City of Calgary) 
  • Records Management Overview (City of Calgary) 
  • Introduction to the Cree Language (Mount Royal College) 
  • American Sign Language: 2 levels (Manitoba School for the Deaf) 


As much as I enjoy my work, I also enjoy volunteering in my community using the skills I've developed. I am past president of the Community Historical Society of Caroline which runs our local Museum and I am currently Chair of our local library board on which I've sat for the past 7 years. 


Although I've written many, many reports and narratives for clients, I have realized how much I enjoy writing in general. There's just something I value intensely about sharing information. Some of my endeavours you'll find referenced here on my web site but some others include those listed below.


  • Cookbooks: put together family recipes for a wedding keepsake, and another to celebrate a mother's life called Memories in Food.
  • Article: Grandma, If Only You Could See us Now! Published in the Alberta Family Histories Society's (AFHS) Vol 31, No 3, 2011-04.
  • Article: Using Department of Indian Affairs Records Published in the Alberta Family Histories Society's (AFHS) Vol 32, No 3, 2012-04.
  • Article: Sir Cecil Edward Denny, BART. Published in the Alberta Family Histories Society's (AFHS) Vol 32, No 4, 2012-07.

I am good at finding things, in general. 

My brother was a conservation officer who worked literally in the middle of nowhere. When I needed to reach him, I tracked him down. 

His boss was once annoyed because saying it was hard to track my brother  down to talk to him.

My brother said to his boss, "What do you mean? My sister can find me out in the middle of the lake! It can't be that hard."

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