Books by Claudia Breland
Claudia Breland writes novels inspired by Michigan’s landscapes, small-town histories, and long-buried family mysteries as well as nonfiction works rooted in her decades of genealogical research. You can explore the full Beulah Series here, or scroll down for all her books in one place.
Fiction – The Beulah Series
Step into the village of Beulah, Michigan — a place of timeless beauty, family secrets, and carefully kept histories. Each novel blends true-to-life historical detail with the intrigue of genealogical mysteries
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Home to Beulah (2024)
Grace discovers long-lost family connections and hidden stories in this warm, richly researched debut novel.
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North to Naubinway (2024)
Grace and her family journey north to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, uncovering the ties that bind past and present.
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The Murder of Rhoda Jones (2025)
Sophie and Grace investigate the century-old mystery of Rhoda’s death, revealing secrets that span generations.
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Snoqualmie Bound (Coming Soon!)
In 1936, Grace and Allan travel west to Washington State, navigating dirt and gravel roads, 25-cent gasoline, and campfire laundry in their search for a long-lost uncle.
Nonfiction
Searching For Your Ancestors in Historic Newspapers (2014)
A must-have guide for genealogists eager to uncover family stories hidden in historic newspapers. Learn where to find digitized and microfilmed papers, explore free and subscription databases, and use the first-ever state-by-state directory of local newspaper collections.
Genealogy Offline (2014, revised edition)
Most valuable family history records aren’t online — they’re in libraries, archives, courthouses, and historical societies. Claudia walks you through finding and using essential records such as land deeds, wills, court records, adoption files, newspapers, and more, with practical tips and real examples.
At Home in Lansing: The Journals of Maurice L. Reed, 1927–1931 (2015)
The early journals of Maurice Leonard Reed, a teacher, weaver, and lifelong Michigander, capture a vivid portrait of life in Lansing during the late 1920s. Through his words, follow a family’s camping trips, community life, and the beginnings of the Reedcraft Weavers business.
Lansing and Beyond: The Journals of Maurice L. Reed, 1932–1934 (2015)
Continuing Maurice Reed’s story, these journals reflect his love for camping, fishing, craftsmanship, cooking, and family. From Lansing to the western United States, Maurice’s writing offers a warm, candid glimpse into life during the early Depression years.
On the Banks of the Pee Dee: The Ancestry of Mary Gladys Jordan Sells (2019)
Tracing the ancestry of Mary Gladys Jordan Sells, this family history spans North Carolina’s deep roots and Civil War connections. Through adoptions, marriages, and generations of resilience, Claudia tells a story that’s both personal and steeped in regional history.
From Pie Stand to Icon: The 100-Year History of the Cherry Hut (2022)
In 1922, Dorothy Kraker opened a humble white roadside stand on Crystal Lake, selling cherry pies made with tart fruit from her family orchard. A century later, The Cherry Hut has become a nationally acclaimed full-service restaurant, famous for its cherry pies, jams, ice cream, sandwiches, and more.
This centennial celebration blends historic photographs, quirky stories, and a decade-by-decade look at how The Cherry Hut evolved. It also honors the many owners and employees who poured their talent and energy into making it a Michigan landmark.
“When it comes to Michigan, the choice is easy. Of course, it’s The Cherry Hut.” — Michael Stern, co-founder of Roadfood.com