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I am a professional genealogist, living on the Key Peninsula in Western Washington.
I have been doing genealogical research since 1974, and have been a professional genealogist since 2008. My clients come from all over the world, including Norway, Australia, and England, and I have collaborated with other researchers across the United States to explore local records that are not online. I relish helping people connect with their ancestors, using a wide variety of records and resources. I've done vital records look-ups, searched microfilmed newspapers, committed to ongoing research, compiled binders of original documents, and completed a forensic genealogy case for my local police department. I have a Master's Degree in Library Science and have worked for over 10 years in libraries in Western Washington, and have taught classes in library research at the community college level. I've written two books on genealogical research: Genealogy Offline: Finding Family History Records that are Not Online, and Searching for Your Ancestors in Historic Newspapers. In addition, I've transcribed and published two volumes of my grandfather's journals: At Home in Lansing (1927-1931) and Lansing and Beyond (1932-1934). I've written articles for several publications, including the APG Quarterly, my local newspaper, and the national website Archives.com. I'm available to lecture on a variety of genealogy topics, including "Discover Your Family History", "Beyond Ancestry.com: Searching for Your Ancestors Online", "Genealogy in the Computer Age", "Beyond the Internet: Finding Family History Records that are not Online", and "Finding and Using Historic Newspapers". Visit my lectures page here. |
Education:
DNA and Genetic Genealogy:
SLIG Academy: DNA and the 21st Century Professional
Association of Professional Genealogists webinars, 2018:
Genetic Genealogy for Professionals: Client Reports, with Blaine Bettinger and Karen Stanbary, CG
Genetic Genealogy for Professionals: DNA Client Expectations, Client Contracts, Surprising Results,
with Blaine Bettinger and Karen Stanbary, CG
Institute for Genetic Genealogy (I4GG) Conference, San Diego, 2017 (videos)
Institute for Genetic Genealogy (I4GG) Conference, San Diego, 2016 (videos)
Olympia Genealogical Society, 2016: Seminar on DNA, with CeCe Moore
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2015: Genetic Genealogy for the Professional, with Blaine Bettinger
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, 2014: Practical Genetic Genealogy, with CeCe Moore,
Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, and Blaine Bettinger
Member of Facebook Group, DNA Detectives
Member of Facebook Group, Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques
Member of Facebook Group, International Society of Genetic Genealogy
General Genealogy:
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, 2018: The Third Coast: Research in the Great Lakes Region
National Genealogical Society live streamed sessions, 2014-present
APG Professional Management Conference live streamed sessions, 2015-present
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2017: The Fine Points of Making Your Point: Honing
Your Lecturing Skills, with Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL
Western Institute of Genealogy, Eugene, OR, 2016:
Write It Up! A Workshop for Family Historians, with Thomas W. Jones
Records Created by the Federal Government, with Dr. John Philip Colletta
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2015: Genealogical Evidence and Proof, with Warren F. Bittner, CG
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2015: Professional Genealogy II: Becoming a Better Professional
Researcher, with Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL
Genealogical Council of Oregon, 2015: Land Records with Rick and Pam Sayre
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, 2015: Problem Solving with Church Records, with
Rev. Dr. David McDonald, CG
Genealogical Forum of Oregon, 2014: Writing For Genealogists with Thomas W. Jones
ProGen 12 Study Group: 2012
National Genealogical Society Home Study Course: completed 2012
Institute for Genealogical & Historic Research, 2011: Genealogy as a Profession, with Elissa Scalise Powell, CG
Institute for Genealogical & Historic Research, 2010: Writing for Genealogists, with
Dr. Thomas W. Jones, CG,
National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, 2010
DNA and Genetic Genealogy:
SLIG Academy: DNA and the 21st Century Professional
Association of Professional Genealogists webinars, 2018:
Genetic Genealogy for Professionals: Client Reports, with Blaine Bettinger and Karen Stanbary, CG
Genetic Genealogy for Professionals: DNA Client Expectations, Client Contracts, Surprising Results,
with Blaine Bettinger and Karen Stanbary, CG
Institute for Genetic Genealogy (I4GG) Conference, San Diego, 2017 (videos)
Institute for Genetic Genealogy (I4GG) Conference, San Diego, 2016 (videos)
Olympia Genealogical Society, 2016: Seminar on DNA, with CeCe Moore
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2015: Genetic Genealogy for the Professional, with Blaine Bettinger
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, 2014: Practical Genetic Genealogy, with CeCe Moore,
Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, and Blaine Bettinger
Member of Facebook Group, DNA Detectives
Member of Facebook Group, Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques
Member of Facebook Group, International Society of Genetic Genealogy
General Genealogy:
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, 2018: The Third Coast: Research in the Great Lakes Region
National Genealogical Society live streamed sessions, 2014-present
APG Professional Management Conference live streamed sessions, 2015-present
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2017: The Fine Points of Making Your Point: Honing
Your Lecturing Skills, with Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL
Western Institute of Genealogy, Eugene, OR, 2016:
Write It Up! A Workshop for Family Historians, with Thomas W. Jones
Records Created by the Federal Government, with Dr. John Philip Colletta
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2015: Genealogical Evidence and Proof, with Warren F. Bittner, CG
Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research, 2015: Professional Genealogy II: Becoming a Better Professional
Researcher, with Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL
Genealogical Council of Oregon, 2015: Land Records with Rick and Pam Sayre
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, 2015: Problem Solving with Church Records, with
Rev. Dr. David McDonald, CG
Genealogical Forum of Oregon, 2014: Writing For Genealogists with Thomas W. Jones
ProGen 12 Study Group: 2012
National Genealogical Society Home Study Course: completed 2012
Institute for Genealogical & Historic Research, 2011: Genealogy as a Profession, with Elissa Scalise Powell, CG
Institute for Genealogical & Historic Research, 2010: Writing for Genealogists, with
Dr. Thomas W. Jones, CG,
National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, 2010
Memberships:
I am a member in good standing of the following organizations:
National Genealogical Society
Western Michigan Genealogy Society
I am a member in good standing of the following organizations:
National Genealogical Society
Western Michigan Genealogy Society
Research Facilities:
I do regular research onsite at these repositories:
Family History Library, Salt Lake City
Washington State Archives, Olympia
Washington State Library, Olympia
Seattle Public Library
Tacoma Public Library
Puget Sound Regional Archives
Library and Archives of Michigan, Lansing
I do regular research onsite at these repositories:
Family History Library, Salt Lake City
Washington State Archives, Olympia
Washington State Library, Olympia
Seattle Public Library
Tacoma Public Library
Puget Sound Regional Archives
Library and Archives of Michigan, Lansing
All content (c) Claudia Breland, 2022