Minnesota Genealogical Society
1185 Concord St. N. Suite 218
South St. Paul, MN 55075-1187
(651) 455-9057
mngs.org

Independent Researchers

A PDF version of this information is available by clicking here.

The Minnesota Genealogical Society is an all-volunteer organization and is therefore unable to provide genealogical research outside of the MGS Library. The individuals listed below will do research on a private basis utilizing a variety of resources. Contact the researcher directly for their fee schedule and working arrangements. Please note: MGS cannot endorse or specifically evaluate the competence of independent researchers. You may wish to visit the Association of Professional Genealogist's web site at http://www.apgen.org/articles/hire.html for points on hiring a professional researcher.

Darlene Cruikshank Joyce, MA, CG^SM, PO Box 270273, St. Paul, MN 55127. Darlene is a certified genealogist and author. She accepts research clients, and gives lectures and workshops. Darlene specializes in: helping novice genealogists to organize their information and discover time and money saving research strategies; advanced problem solving research, to help experienced genealogists solve difficult questions; and 19th and 20th century family history, with special expertise on families that migrated from CT, NY and PA, through KY, OH and IN to the Midwest. Darlene's own family research has given her a great deal of experience researching common names. She is keenly interested in local history and migration routes. Darlene has served as a Director for the Minnesota Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists. She currently chairs the Minnesota Cemetery Project, and the APG membership development committee. Visit her website, www.findmyfamilyplease.com, or contact her at dcjoyce@findmyfamilyplease.com.

Jean R. Legried, CG^SM, 23044 855th Ave., Oakland, MN 56007; Phone: (507) 373-9269; Email: jrl@deskmedia.com. Jean has been certified since 1981 and a member Association of Professional Genealogists since 1995. She served on the MGS Board, has been a genealogy teacher, a Vestlandslag genealogist, founder of the Freeborn County Genealogical Society, and co-founder of the Genealogy & Computer Users Group. She has published two family histories and has lessons in Beginning Genealogy at http://www.rootsweb.com/~newbie. Her research specialties are: Norwegian and Norwegian-American research and Freeborn County, MN.

Sheila Northrop, 7754 Kentucky Circle N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55445; Phone 612-839-1464; Email: research@mwancestor.com; Web site: www.mwancestor.com. Sheila is a professional researcher with experience researching in Minnesota and other Midwestern states through her company, Midwest Ancestor Research. Specialties include Catholic records research, marriage records, and tracing families through the female line. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, the Minnesota Historical Society, the Irish Genealogical Society International, and the Minnesota Genealogical Society. Contact her for a free, written estimate.

Tom Rice, CG^SM, Phone: (651) 426-9440; Email: info@heritagehunters.com, Web site: www.heritagehunters.com. Tom is a professional genealogy researcher, author and lecturer. His specialties are the Midwest and those states that provided most of the early settlers to this region. He is also well versed in British Isles research. He is available to conduct on-site research at major regional repositories. Tom also provides consultations to help clients develop their own research strategies and learn to use software tools more effectively. Tom is a Director of the Minnesota Genealogy Society, an officer of the Irish Genealogy Society International, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogist and a genealogy helper at the Minnesota Historical Society. Contact him or visit his web site to learn more about how he can help you.

Rosalie Eben Schack, CG^SM, 714 Mineral Springs Rd., Owatonna, MN 55060-1914; Email: familyresearch@smig.net; Phone: (507) 455-3048. Rosalie is a professional genealogy researcher, and author of family histories. Her research specialties center in the Upper Midwest, especially Southern Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. She is able to travel to repositories. Rosalie is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and numerous county and state genealogical and historical organizations.

Mary Swanson, Email: mswanson4@charter.net. Mary is a professional genealogist with over fifteen years of experience researching Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. She specializes in vital records, probates and wills, land records, censuses, cemeteries and church records, as well as newspapers, city directories and naturalization records. Mary has been a Director of the Minnesota Genealogical Society and chair of their Correspondence Committee. Her memberships include the Minnesota Genealogical Society, The Irish Genealogical Society International, the Minnesota Historical Society, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the National Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists and several county and state organizations. Contact her for a fee schedule and free consultation.

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG^SM, 1160 Cushing Circle #211, Saint Paul, MN 55108-5011, Phone: (651) 503-4803; Email: PSWResearch@comcast.net. Historical and genealogical research and consulting; newspapers, census, military, probate, manuscripts, county and state records. Specialties include the Midwestern and Plains states, Minnesota Historical Society, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Family History Library, U.S. National Archives, Wisconsin Historical Society and American Indian Research. Special services include working with clients one-on-one in research libraries to help them maximize their research time. Member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Midwest Archives Conference, Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota Genealogical Society. Contact Paula for fees and availability.

Sandy Mochal Thalmann, PO Box 8052, Rochester, MN 55903, Phone 507-292-0308; Email: sandy@authenticorigins.com, Web site: www.authenticorigins.com. Sandy is a professional researcher with over thirty years experience. She has operated Authentic Origins since 1998, and specializes in all types of on-site record research in Minnesota, northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin; plus consultation; problem-solving; photography; 19th and 20th century research; and organization and analysis of research notes. Her background as an adoptee and a Master's level Social Worker give her a unique perspective of family research and the "secrets" that may be unearthed. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin Genealogical Societies, contributor to the Minnesota Genealogical Journal and member of the MGS Cemetery Team. She is committed to the highest professional standards in the field of genealogical research.

[CG^SM, Certified Genealogist, is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by Board-certified associates after periodic competency evaluations.]

This page last updated April 18, 2008

Home	Quarterly Programs • MGS sponsors four events each year with guest speakers.	Branches, Interest Groups and Affiliated Organizations • Contact Information	Committees • Officers • Committee Chairs • Committee Information
Membership • Benefits Summary • Joining MGS • Membership Renewal • Links to Members • Change your mailing or email address	Library • Library Hours • Library Fee • Where we're located • Our Facility • Dates we're closed • Library News • Research Policy • Online Catalog	Classes • Schedule • Class Information • Registration	Publications • Order Form • Minnesota Families - Back Issues • Minnesota Genealogist - Indexes to Back Issues • Publications for Sale
Calendar • MGS & Branch Calendar • Non-MGS Events of Genealogical Interest • Event & Meeting Submission	Forum • Genealogy Forum - This is not a chatroom. This is a forum where you can post messages and reply to posted messages.	MGS Resources • Catholic Churches in Minnesota • Genealogy Tools • Historical and Genealogical Societies • How To Begin Tracing Your Family Tree • How To Transcribe A Cemetery • Independent Researchers • Lost Minnesota Photographs • MGS Quarterly Meetings • Minnesota Cemetery Project • Minnesota Resources by County • Selected Research Facilities • Speakers • Surnames Being Researched	Links • Links to Members • Miscellaneous Links
Governing Documents • Constitution, Handbook, etc. • 2002 Meeting Minutes • 2003 Meeting Minutes • 2004 Meeting Minutes • 2005 Meeting Minutes • 2006 Meeting Minutes • 2007 Meeting Minutes	Request for Website Information Change	Genealogy Spotlight Lecture Series

You can limit your search to our website

Get a GoStats hit counter

E-mail website problems, questions and corrections to webmaster@mngs.org