About

Hello! I'm so happy to meet you!

I'm a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between. I live in sunny St. George, UT where I love to hike and camp, spend time with my family and friends, and binge on movies--especially Bollywood films.

EDUCATION (if this bores you, skip it!)

I was once an art major in school and I've been painting my entire life. It's the one thing I can say I was born to do. But as a kid, I became enthralled with family history, which turned into a level of expertise as years of research. So, I moved on to graduate school to become a professional genealogist. I wanted to help others discover amazing ancestors in thier family trees, as I had!

So, I earned dual graduate diplomas. One from the University of London's College of Teachers, in teaching and lecturing on Genealogy, Heraldry, and Documentary Sciences, and the other from the International College of Interdisciplinary Sciences, in Genealogical Research and Documentation. 

As well, I've earned advanced certificates in both Forensic and Genetic Genealogy. My professional clients are mainly adoptees and those with unknown parentage. I LOVE helping people find family!

GENEALOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS

I'm a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the International Society of Genetic Genealogy, the National Genealogical Society, the Arizona Council of Professional Genealogists, the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors, and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.   

I currently serve as chairman of the advisory board for Century Vital Records based in Bengaluru, India as well - http://centuryvitalrecords.com/ and as National Vice Chair for Daughters of the American Revolution, American Heritage. I previously served as Registrar for Daughters of the American Revolution, and as Secretary-Treasurer for Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

AND FOR WRITING ASSOCIATIONS? I'm a member of the Jerry Jenkins Writer's Guild, Romance Writers of America, and the American Night Writer's Association.

My love of what we can learn from history compels me to write the true stories I unearth during research, and I've found that truth is indeed, much stranger and way more exciting and inspiring than fiction! 

I write about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we truly are—children of God, and the descendants of remarkable people who paved the way before us—even if they really struggled. I believe in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better. I know that's what they want for us. How do I know? Because that's what I want for my own descendants, and how great would it be if every generation became just a little better than the one before?

WHY I TURNED TO NOVEL WRITING

As an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, I've turned to novel writing to share the true stories I discover with a greater audience. The spark of the dual-timeline story of Once Upon an Irish Summer came about while I researched an ancestor on location in Ireland. When I unearthed his story and found out why he left his homeland, and who he became in 19th century American, I knew many readers would relate to what he overcame and feel inspired to rise above their own trials in life. 

I wrote the present-day timeline through the eyes of a struggling teenage girl to show readers the impact of what can happen when we come to know our ancestors. It can literally change us and the course of our lives.

THE STUDY THAT COMPELS ME TO WRITE

Emory University released the results of a study conducted on children and teens knowing—or not knowing—their family history. The study was based on 20 questions. The results showed that kids who knew the answers to these 20 questions had a stronger sense of control over their lives, higher self-esteem, a greater belief in the successful functioning of their families, and also proved to be more resilient to life’s challenges. Why does this matter to me?? Because I adore teenagers. And because I struggled SO MUCH as a teenager myself.

So, this is why I write. To inspire readers—especially the rising generation—to KNOW who they come from, to learn from them, and to stand on their shoulders to become someone even BETTER.

ARE YOU A HISTORY NERD, TOO?

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by an old photograph, a historical building, or a yellowed letter you've found? Do you feel like you HAVE to know the story behind the letter, or the people in the photo? 

I DO. I'm utterly compelled to find out. It's like nothing else in the world matters until I know. And then I HAVE to write about the discoveries—people’s stories from the past—because every life matters. And what we learn from those who came before has the potential to change our futures. 

So, come learn with me about the people who came before and how their choices influenced the world we live in today. Not only will you be able to order my books—which will hopefully inspire you to research your own ancestors—but I'm offering courses to bring families closer, through learning about shared ancestral history. TOGETHER. And I'm also offering research courses to help you expand your family trees.

BECOME AN INSIDER!

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