SERVICES

Forensic genealogy, heir and probate research

(for attorneys, executors, estate administrators, bank trust officers, insurance companies)

  • Search for missing or unknown heirs
  • Analyze and verify kinship
  • Prepare affidavits, reports, and documentation for court cases
  • Testify as an expert witness

Boston-courthouse-postcard

Family genealogy and history

(for individuals, TV producers, and others interested in tracing ancestry and local history)

  • Conduct genealogical and historical research – everything from quick record look-ups to complex multi-generation projects spanning many geographical regions and centuries
  • Document lineage and qualifying ancestry for membership in hereditary societies, such as the Mayflower Society, Sons/Daughters of the American Revolution, Society of Colonial Wars, etc., including “gateway ancestors” with European royal connections
  • Serve as genealogy coach, suggesting lines of inquiry and identifying pertinent resources, for clients who wish to do most of their own research

Other services

  • Edit genealogy and family history manuscripts in preparation for publication
  • Transcribe historical records, especially hard-to-read early American documents
  • Present customized lectures and workshops about historical court records, genealogy, history, and related topics

1851-court-record

Specialties

  • New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont) and New York state – access to regional repositories and extensive databases, and network of associates available for onsite research in other regions
  • Court and legal records – unique expertise based on decades of research experience as genealogist and attorney; author of award-winning book, New England Court Records: A Research Guide for Genealogists and Historians
  • Colonial American ancestry

Diane charges hourly rates for her services. She does not accept contingency fee arrangements.