You might be surprised by how much the past informs the present. Knowing the history behind people, places, family homes, or businesses can offer a unique, rich layer of insight to our lives. I am passionate about connecting my clients to what’s come before them. If you are interested in unlocking that past for yourself, I’d love to work with you.

In my adventures as a historian, many of which are documented on my Substack blog, I have been honored to bring history back to life for my clients. I am always excited to work with clients to learn how my historical research can help them. Though I studied history at universities and have worked in several public history roles since then, it is this hands-on approach to research that I love. Every new project is uniquely challenging.

I have undertaken historical research for a variety of clients for a variety of purposes:

  • For families tracking down their ancestors (see my Genealogy page for more information).

  • For homeowners wishing to learn the history of their old homes.

  • For businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries.

  • For neighborhoods wishing to join the National Register of Historic Places.

  • For historic sites learning more about their pasts.

  • For clients sorting through old family heirlooms, letters, and photos.

  • And more!

Got an interesting story? I’m all ears.

Some of my favorite projects

  • Documenting the lives of Marietta House Museum’s former inhabitants, free and enslaved, in order to tell their stories in new museum programming and exhibits.

  • Undertaking personal research to rediscover the lives of the original builders and owners of my family’s 1896 New England home.

  • Researching the history of a community medical center and writing promotional materials to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of its founding.

  • Helping the education team at the Charles Dickens Museum research historic objects and tools for use in school programs and exhibits.

  • Advocating for the preservation of a local Main Street by raising awareness, conducting historical research, and working towards admission to the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Researching, writing, and editing articles for “Boundary Stones,” a Washington, D.C. local history blog operated by the WETA network.

  • As a senior project in undergrad, researching the history of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage NY State Historic Site and writing a new public tour script.

Every project that comes my way is a little different. I want to work with you to get to know the people, places, and businesses I’ll be researching.

In order to accommodate a wide range of potential projects, I tend to structure my services like this:

  • We’ll organize a free, one-hour consultation (via phone or video call) so I can learn about you and your project.

  • We’ll establish project goals that I’ll work towards, whether that’s a question to answer (“Who were the original owners of my house?”) or a product to be delivered upon project completion (a research report).

  • I’ll estimate the amount of time it will take me to complete the project. In some cases, I’ll suggest that we divide the project into “chunks,” usually 5-10 hours of research work, after which I can check-in and make sure I’m headed in the right direction.

  • I’ll establish an hourly rate that depends on what kinds of services you’ll need me to perform.

  • We’ll figure out how I should present my findings. A research report? A product for customers? I’m flexible.

  • We’ll make a formal agreement to make sure that the parameters and logistics of the project are agreed upon.

Click here to read more about my terms of service, which should be consulted before we schedule a meeting.

All my clients and their stories are different, so project structure is always a case-by-case basis. That’s why cooperation and communication is so important to my process! Use this form to contact me so we can start a conversation.

Along with your name and contact, please tell me about your project: the questions or problems you’re hoping to solve, any goals you hope to achieve, the scope of research, what you’ve already achieved, and a timeline (if there is one).

I’ll get in touch as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. Thank you!

Ready to get started?