A.M.'s Page

I have been a genealogist since I was 14 years old and decided to interview my grandmother about every single relative she could recall. I wanted to know how I came to be a fifth generation Californian, and discovered I was descended from Canadians as well.

Genealogy remained a non-professional passion while I trained for and built a career as a librarian, researcher and children's author. The passion continued as I moved around the world, living and working in North and South America, Africa and Europe, and learning to speak French and Portuguese.

Never ceasing to research my ancestors, even from abroad (and I am now based in Paris), I have become something of an expert at genealogy research online. Without the internet, my work would be impossible. I became a professional genealogist about ten years ago, specializing in North American research.

I have not a drop of French blood in me, but my children are half French. In searching for their French ancestors, I began to learn and am still learning about genealogy in France. I have made enough progress that I now accept clients who wish me to seek their French ancestors.

Each search reveals so much about the genealogical culture in France -- so much that is interesting, amusing, baffling, or disturbing -- that I thought others might want to know of it. I decided to share what I learn about "la généalogie" as I go on the journey.