Bios/Professional Qualifications
Pat
Pat was raised on a Saskatchewan farm, moving to
one and then another of Saskatchewan's 'big cities', where she took a variety of
University classes over numerous years. She worked in Retail Management and
Human Resources, attended Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto, and raised her two
wonderful children. But she could never decide what she
wanted to be 'when she grew up'! That all changed when she discovered the
magical world of genealogy. Pat's beginning interest moved rapidly into
obsession and she has been 100% involved in and devoted to genealogy,
researching and teaching, for the past nine years.
Pat is a first generation Canadian so she has gained a great deal of in-depth experience with distance research while working on her family lines. Her father was born in Scotland, and research has shown his mother's line lived in the same little area of Scotland for at least five centuries. The big surprise was that his father and his lineage came from Ireland! This fact had been unknown by the family and was the first of many surprises she was to uncover. It is interesting that, as children, we seldom think of our grandparents as having once been children themselves - as having siblings, parents, and extended family. This may be particularly true when that grandparent is the only member of his family to emigrate, and therefore the only one of his family to be known to the grandchild.
Pat's mother was born in the eastern United States. Due to the very early and untimely death of her own father, Mom knew virtually nothing of her heritage or her lineage. Through tracing these ancestors, Pat learned the intricacies of researching in the USA - land, census, BMDs, court, probate, wills etc. She also learned the ins and outs of Upper Canadian records. Eventually these families took her back to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands (1600's), and the former East Germany. Pat credits her natural tenacity and sense of humour as sustaining her research efforts.
Pat spent the 1970's very involved with the Olympic sport of Trapshooting. She has a Gold medal from the first Saskatchewan Summer Games plus numerous Canadian and US national championships to her credit. Achieving this high level of success in an Olympic sport, Pat learned that the ability to totally 'focus' was of utmost importance. This learned ability helps her, daily, in her profession as a Instructor, Record Searcher, and Researcher.
Pat is a founding & charter member of the College of Certified Saskatchewan Genealogists achieving the designation and use of the post nominal MCCSG. She is also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and maintains memberships in various genealogy and family history societies throughout the world. She has been, and continues to be, an invited guest speaker, lecturer and workshop presenter at various genealogy seminars around the country including an International Conference. Most recently, in October 2006 Pat accepted an invitation to lead a series of workshops in Whitehorse Yukon.
The courses developed through her business, Past Relations Research and Instruction, have been offered through the City of Regina since 1999. She also teaches genealogy courses at the University of Regina in the computer lab. The Regina Public Library Prairie History Room has also contracted her to teach classes for them. These classes were and are being developed as a complement to those being offered elsewhere, but Pat's classes are offered specifically as an advanced opportunity to those genealogists whose interests run deeper than just general information.
Because Pat's experience is that of a professional researcher, she works very hard to help her students learn not just the fundamental basics of genealogical and family research. The outstanding advantage of her classes is in learning the how's and the why's of research, AND in having fun doing it! Her interests and her teachings run more into family history research than basic genealogy [which is the all important collecting of names, dates and locations]. Family history looks deeper and expresses an interest in things such as: what were my ancestors occupations; what work did they perform to pay their bills; what kind of bills did they have; what were their physical appearances; what was their home life like; what made them happy or sad; what was a typical day in their life really like; who were their neighbours and friends; and what prompted them to eventually leave everything and everyone they knew to come to an unknown land often without even the knowledge of exactly *where* they would end up living?
Genealogy is one of those 'ology' words - biology, psychology, sociology etc. and as such needs to be approached in a scientific manner using proven method'ology'. Pat has been told by her students that her classes have been invaluable to them for the following reasons: Pat's vast professional knowledge; her willingness & ability to share that knowledge; her common-sense approach to teaching; and the total relevance of her methods and materials, not to mention her sense of humour, and love of learning and sharing through innovative teaching methods. She is very proud of the evaluations students have sent her over the years and welcomes you to have a 'peek' student comments.
Genealogy and family history
research is anything *but* a static science. It is constantly evolving. New
methods, new records, new techniques, and new resources are becoming available
on a daily basis. On the Internet new websites are being developed, literally
by the minute. Some are reliable and valuable, others are not. In countries
throughout the world, previously 'lost' records are being located, turned over to
repositories, and eventually becoming available to the public. It requires a great
deal of time, effort, and personal, professional and monetary commitment to stay current. It also requires continuing one's education. Pat is
constantly improving her knowledge; is usually enrolled in one advanced
course or another [generally courses not offered in Canada]; and continues to be totally enthused and enthralled in the
pursuit of family research and sharing with her students. Her enthusiasm and
excitement keep her classes fun and keep her students learning the most current
methods of research in a safe and friendly environment. One of the side benefits
to her classes are often the long term friendships, personal and professional,
that develop within her student groups. Pat believes we can all learn from each other
and knows that genealogists are amongst the friendliest and most helpful of all
God's creatures. Besides, when you look into your spouse's eyes
(and notice that 'trapped' look) as you regale them
with your most recent discovery, [and how incredibly smart you were to find it!],
it can be very nice to have someone else - an equally excited genealogy friend -
to share your news with!
As part of the Going Home Series of courses, watch for new offerings currently in development. You may soon be able to enroll in even more specialized courses! Many of Pat's class titles and subjects are a direct result, and response, to her student's requests and genealogical needs.
Pat is also an
animal lover and has never been without at least one pet. Currently she and her husband share their home
with a 115 pound, blue-eyed, pure white Malamute, aptly named "Tazzi" aka Tazmanian Devil.
RESEARCH SERVICES
Pat's areas of genealogy expertise include researching, and
teaching to research -
Canadian provinces, the USA, and the British Isles. She also has experience
researching the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. Pat
has numerous private clients and associates located around the world. Her
associates can help locate 'local' records - those records that may only exist
where the associate lives.
To date, Pat has performed research for
people living in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, numerous USA
States, provinces right across Canada including Saskatchewan, and folks from
Regina. The research performed sometimes
includes Canadian records, but not always. She has been successful in following her
clients ancestral families, often by using obscure records, through the various countries mentioned above, and back in
time. This has provided great satisfaction and delight to her clients. Each and
every client receives a professionally written report, documenting all
searches performed, the results of each search, a brief explanation of the record(s)
searched, photocopies (when available), and appropriate recommendations, if possible, for further research
the client can undertake themselves or that could be done by a professional
researcher. Email Pat with your
requests and/or for further information.
CONSULTATION CLINICS
Pat also does consultation clinics for those who wish to do their own research, but
need direction. Bring your work, along with your questions and brick walls. She
will offer you sound advice and recommendations on what
you need to do, which
records to search, how to access those records, and why each one should be
searched - in other words, the steps her clients can take for themselves to
perform their own research in a meaningful, productive and cost effective
manner. There are times when a professional researcher, by offering their
experience and guidance, will actually save the client mucho dollars,
valuable time and unnecessary frustrations. For inquiries you can contact
her. In the future there may be
specific clinic times available for bookings posted on this web site.