FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Research

 

How does this work?

Schedule your 30 minute new client consultation using the Calendar. During this session we will review your past research and goals for a new project. The consulation fee will be credited toward your research project should you decide to move forward.

After our consultation I will send you my New Client Form via google forms, and a contract. The contract will describe our objective and is put in place to keep the research focused. It also allows you to dictate the authorized time to spend on the focused research objective. I’m always available to answer questions you may have during that process.

What does a final research report look like?

Sample of a 12 hour research report.

Cibarosa of Castelventrano, Trapini, Sicilia

Do you make any guarantees?

I can guarantee that I will provide a complete report of any finding including what I didn’t find. I cannot guarantee that a conclusion can be drawn or if the records needed for genealogical proof are available.

Why should I hire you and not just research myself on Ancestry/FamilySearch?

As a professional genealogist, I can help when you're unsure or stuck. I understand Italian and American handwriting from the 19th and 20th centuries. I use methods to make sense of conflicting info and uncover hidden details. I know where to find records offline and prioritize key research. I have access to extra databases and can write reports for your family. I specialize in finding answers even when it's not straightforward in genealogy.

I need a record in Miami-Dade County, can you retrieve it for me?

Yes! If you are a family historian or genealogist looking for a record that is available in Miami-Dade County please email me directly with your inquiry.

Education

 

BCG Putting Your Skills to Work: Writing about Genetic Evidence, completed November 2024

Doc Work Workshop, completed August 2024

Certification Discussion Group (2024.1), completed March 2024

RootsTech Genealogy Conference, in person Salt Lake City, 2024

SLIG Virtual, Course Four Proving Your Pedigree with DNA, completed September-November 2023

IGHR Virtual, Course Five Genetics for Genealogists: Beginning DNA, completed July 2023

GRIP Virtual, Immigrants to the US after 1890, completed June 2023

ProGen Study Group 62 (15 month program), certificate of completion, June 2023

GenProof Study Group 83 (8 week program), certificate of completion, May 2023

Boston University, Genealogy Studies Program (15 week program), certificate of Genealogical Research, 2021

University of Strathclyde, completed Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree (via futurelearn.com), 2021

Ringling College of Art and Design, BFA in Fine Arts, 2008

Rhode Island School of Design, summer studies with a focus in Industrial Design and Furniture, 2006

past presentations

 

  • Intermediate Immigration + Naturalization Records, member benefit, Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, virutal, 12 February 2025

  • Understanding Derivative Citizenship in the 20th Century, Italian Genealogical Group, virtual, 11 January 2025

  • Case Study: Parents for Giovanni “John” Franco, Italian Genealogical Group: Conference, virtual, 16 November 2024

  • Beginners Census Classes, Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, virtual, 9 + 16 September 2024

  • Understanding Derivative Citizenship in the 20th Century, Denver Public Library, virtual, 12 August 2024

  • Intermediate Immigration + Naturalization Records, member benefit, virtual, Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, 22 May 2024

  • Beginners Census Classes, Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, virtual, 11 + 18 December 2023

  • Beginners Census Classes, Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, virtual, 2 + 9 December 2022