Jim Hansen, retired reference librarian, Wisconsin Historical Society and his Celebration of Life

As he signed an email to me four years ago, he was “Jim Hansen, Reference Librarian, happily retired, Wisconsin Historical Society.”  I was first introduced to this librarian at the Wisconsin Historical Society back in 1982 or 1983 during my first-ever genealogy research trip. One of many trips from Saint Paul to work in the […]

More detail on FamilySearch Full-Text Search and the Catalog.

If you were in any of my GRIP Genealogy Institute sessions a few week ago, you heard me talk about FamilySearch Full-Text Search. The FamilySearch blog has a great post from June 2d about using it. I have been extra excited in the way the FamilySearch Catalog points to the full-text search. If you haven’t […]

Instead of a vacation, I’m working on upcoming genealogy presentations

I’ve been a bit busy since the virtual week of GRIP Genealogy Institute ended on June 27th. A couple days off after teaching all week in two courses, work on some client research and reports, a gift of a Minnesota Twins baseball game for my birthday, celebrated the U.S Independence day with family, and then […]

What a week! BEYOND Digging Deeper hit the ground running at 2025 GRIP Genealogy Institute

Last week’s GRIP Genealogy Institute was a blast. I’m a bit caught up on sleep and lots of housework.I have been a course coordinator with GRIP since 2012. In 2024, I developed a companion course to the one that I had coordinated since 2012. It’s not a replacement course, but they complement each other. 2025 […]

109th Anniversary for my paternal grandparents

20 June was yesterday and I neglected to tell about my paternal grandparents anniversary. Earl James Stuart and Olga Theodora (Toots) Carlsen were married 20 June 1916 at 751 E. Jessamine Avenue in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. That was the home of Grandma Toots’ parents. The officiant was Squire T. Willis, pastor of the […]

100th Anniversary for my maternal grandparents

I was about to sit down and write a post about my beloved maternal Grandparents whose wedding anniversary is today. I checked the date tin my RootsMagic genealogy software to be sure it was on June 7. Definitely June 7th and 100 years ago today in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Gertrude Margaret Cook (1901-1999) […]

U.S. National Archives free online genealogy presentations

Press release info from the U.S. National Archives. “This year’s #Genealogy Series begins TODAY, May 13! Join us for a series of five presentations, all free and available on YouTube, by experts on US National Archives staff. See the full list of times and topics: https://www.archives.gov/calendar/genealogy-series/2025.” Missed today’s? Catch up on these and past years […]

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute Registration, April 21st!

If you’ve checked my Speaking calendar lately you likely noticed this listing. August 8-9, 2025. Two-day in-person Institute as part of the Minnesota Genealogical Society‘s education programs. The NEW Upper Midwest Genealogical Institute (UMGI)! Join us for this special institute held at the Midwest Genealogy Center in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis suburb of Mendota Heights. Amidst […]

“Beyond Digging Deeper: Sources, Methods, and Practices” GRIP virtual course registration is open!

UPDATE: The course is now 2/3 full so don’t delay your registration. Join us for the 23-27 June 2025 virtual week long course Beyond Digging Deeper! The day before, 22 June, is when we gather virtually for a short while to learn more about GRIP, Zoom, meet each other, and get questions answered. This course […]