Genealogical Researchers List
The reference staff of the Midwest Genealogy Center cannot do extensive genealogical research for customers. If you are unable to visit the Library in person, or if you need searches in other records, you may wish to employ someone to do research for you.
The following researchers have expressed a willingness to conduct research for hire and have asked to be placed on this list. It should be clearly understood that the list is provided as a service for your convenience and does not constitute an endorsement by the Library. If mailing, we suggest you enclose a legal-size self-addressed, stamped envelope with your initial inquiry. The Friends of the Missouri State Archives, PO Box 242, Jefferson City, MO 65102 (www.friendsofmsa.org) will also provide a list of researchers.
Abigail Yates Addington
Specialties: midwest/eastern U.S. states, courthouse records, Native American, Quaker records
2418 Ellison Way
Independence, MO 64055-2042
816.590.0661 / 816.254.6514
email: candasay@earthlink.net
Abigail, who has 20 years of genealogy experience, is a researcher, genealogy teacher, and published author. In 48 states she has experience with obituaries, state historical societies, public libraries, census records, old history books, and all printed sources. She is also experienced with PERSI records, missing heirs, Internet search, and lost people search.
Deb Eberle Downard, Tree Tracer Genealogy
Specialties: Research in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, teaching basic research skills
816.216.6717 / 417.622.1404
email: ddownard@kc.rr.com
Deb has been doing genealogy for over 30 years, not only in this country, but also gleaned information from her familial hometown of Walenstadt, Switzerland. When she started out in the small town of Eureka, KS, she was an officer in the Greenwood County Genealogical Society and wrote a newspaper column about beginning genealogy. Currently a member of the National Genealogical Society, Deb has attended two national conferences as well as many state conferences and regional workshops. Since moving to Kansas City from her hometown of Joplin in 2011, she have been increasing her client base in her research business.
Memberships: Newton County, Missouri, Genealogical Society (Friends of the Library), Jackson County, Missouri, Genealogical Society, former board member of the recently disbanded Joplin Genealogical Society, National Genealogical Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She is the Registrar of her DAR chapter -- Marguerite McNair Chapter in Raytown. Deb is also a photo volunteer for Find a Grave and takes pictures at Mt. Moriah Cemetery and Mausoleum with over one hundred thirty-five photos to her credit.
Research resources: Ancestry, Find-a-Grave, Missouri Digital Heritage, World Vital Records, Eastman's Online Genealogy, worldcat.org, NARA, DAR, Fold3, BLM land patents, Arphax, Genealogy Bank, and various state sites and libraries as needed.
Business info: Deb's basic research charge is $15/hr. She will do a preliminary five hour search at no charge to establish if there is enough available information to meet the client's goals. Deb is willing to travel locally at a nominal fee but distances of over 20 miles will be discussed with the client.
Family History Detective
Specialties: Researching complete family histories
contact: Todd White
866.330.9078
email: info@myfamilyhistorydetective.com
website: myfamilyhistorydetective.com
We specialize in researching complete family histories for you. If you have names, dates, and scattered information on your family, we can perform the research and compile everything together in one package. We offer a leather binder that will contain a family tree, reports on your ancestors, and copies of the source documents found during the research. Todd White was elected Program Chair of the Association of Professional Genealogists Heartland Chapter for 2011 - 2012. Clients have included celebrities, authors, and the PBS series "Finding Your Roots."
Denise Gripp, Family History Specialist (DBA Ever-After Enterprises)
Specialties: An innate knack for that needle in a haystack! Specializing in records/resources/research for/in Iowa and its contiguous states.
311 E. 4th Ave.
Indianola, IA 50125
515.961.8277
email: denise@everafterents.com
website: everafterents.com
With over 20 years experience in research, with family research as her specialty, Denise is well-equipped to solve your most pressing research problem. She have served as VP/Education Coordinator/Conference Planner for the Iowa Genealogical Society and is currently the President of her local genealogical society. For the past six years, Denise has served as MW Regional Coordinator of the Association of Personal Historians (www.personalhistorians.org), having published numerous personal history compilations; she has even dabbled in videography. “Brick-wall” solutions is her main forte; she is proud to have solved two out of two adoption projects. Her past experience has included a two-year stint with Ancestry.com, via their since-defunct ExpertConnect program. Denise's current projects include ongoing assistance to an Air Force Museum curator from the UK in his endeavor to find alive-and-well family members of fallen US airmen from WWII, in his attempt to memorialize each and every one. You’ll find no initials behind her name; she has had no need to invest in expensive and extensive certification programs. Her strong midwestern work ethic has served her quite well over the years; for her ever-growing “Testimonials” list, please visit her web site, where you’ll also find some intriguing free forms and freebies to assist you in your personal research endeavors. Research and road trips are Denise's two greatest passions! Large and small research requests are welcomed. Denise offers timely service and reasonable rates.
Dorris Keeven-Franke
Specialties: German emigrants; early Missouri frontier families; heir tracing; lectures
636.221.1524
email: dorris@keeven-franke.com; use subject 'genealogy research'
website: Keeven-Franke.com
Dorris has been doing genealogical research professionally for over 40 years and has extensive experience with families that emigrated from Germany to Missouri prior to 1850. She is willing to do consultation and advice to overcome brick walls. I do research primarily in east central Missouri counties and do not travel.
Legacy Tree Genealogy
Specialties: genetic genealogy; U.S. research; European research; LDS; immigration; German transcription; family biographies; personal histories; Canada; old English handwriting; genealogical Latin; Native American; African American; Russia; Mandarin Chinese; DNA; Latin records; classical, medieval, and Renaissance prosopography ; South Africa; Eastern European languages including Cyrillic script; military records
P.O. Box 4042
Salt Lake City, UT 84110
801.783.1277
website: www.legacy-tree.com
email: info@legacy-tree.com
Sharlene Miller
Specialties: Midwest, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, probate, land records, census, military records and pension files
20788 Orchard Lane
St. Joseph, MO 64505
816.233.7241
email: smiller@stjoelive.com
website: www.midwest-genealogy.com
Sharlene K. Miller is an experienced genealogist whose research focus is in Midwestern States including Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota, and Michigan. She also has research experience in other states including Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. She has been conducting genealogical research for more than 30 years. As most people do, she started learning about genealogical research by working on her family's and then branched out to research her husband's families and later started helping others with their genealogical research. Sharlene has been certified with the Board of Certification for Genealogists since 2002. She completed the NGS course "American Genealogy: A Basic Course" and has taken a genealogy course from Brigham Young University. Sharlene is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, Missouri State Genealogical Association, Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society, Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogy Society, and Western Pennsylvania Genealogy Society.
Brian H. Schneden, Schneden Associates LLC
Specialties: Germanic genealogy
625 E. Acorn St.
Gardner, KS 66030
913.660.0656 / 202.239.5401
website: http://www.genealinc.com
email: brian.schneden@genealinc.com
Brian has over 30 years of experience in multiple areas of research and geographical areas. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society; a charter/founding member of the American Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society; and the principle of Genealinc™, a full-service genealogical firm engaged in world-wide genealogical based investigations, research and consultative services. Genealinc™ is the genealogical, education, and travel services branch of Schneden Associates LLC, based in the Kansas City area.
Heidi Taylor, A Positive Genealogy
Specialties: Michigan, Ohio
1802 Devonshire Place
Independence, MO 64057
816.868.9675
website: www.apositive.homestead.com
Heidi Taylor, genealogist with A Positive Genealogy, has been doing research since 1992. She is a board member of the Jackson County Genealogical Society and editor of the JCGS Pioneer Trails Newsletter, as well as a member of the Buckinghamshire Family History Society (England). Heidi is currently working on her research for DAR membership and BCG Certification with the Board for Certification of Genealogists. She is also a contributer for WEsearchers Group, Wheeler Twp., Gratiot, Michigan, and a volunteer for FindAGrave.com and local educational programs. Heidi is a co-administrator for Facebook and looks forward to being the Pioneer Trails Newsletter Editor. Heidi has always enjoyed family history and research. Now she is thrilled to be able to help others finding their family bloodlines. With over 20 years (and loving every minute of it) of experience and having some of the best research facilities in the USA right in her backyard, Heidi can't wait to see who is in your family.
Fees: First five hours are $100, then it is $15 per hour.
Christl Webster
Specialities: European/U.S. history, especially German and Austrian; read old German script.
816.224.3346 / 816.786.4939
email: cdwebster@sbcglobal.net
Christl is a native of Vienna, Austria. She has a Ph.D. in History from the University of Vienna. Christl came to the US on a Fulbright scholarship and obtained a M.A. in American History from UMKC. Professionally, she has been working as translator/PR at Bayer Corp. and as an analyst at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. Christl is proficient in Spanish. She also works with several translation agencies on a freelance basis. In addition, Christl performs genealogy research for a client (focus on German church registers dating to the seventeenth century).
