• References from Connected: Finding My Truth

DNA Sites Used in Connected

  • Ancestry.com

  • 23andMe.com

  • FamilyTree.com

  • GEDmatch.com

Research & Archival Sources

  • Ancestry.com resource records

  • Canada.archives.com (free search)

  • British Columbia Genealogical Society – Member

  • National Genealogical Society – Member

  • Archives in New Westminster, BC

  • Archives in Vancouver, BC

  • Clearwater Main Library, FL

  • Denver Public Library, CO

  • New Westminster Library, BC

  • Safety Harbor Library, FL

  • Selby Public Library, Sarasota, FL

  • Vancouver Public Library – Special Collections & Central Branch

  • Western History & Genealogy Dept., Denver, CO

Hospitals

  • Manhattan General Hospital – Manhattan, NY

  • Royal Columbian Hospital – New Westminster, BC

  • Vancouver General Hospital – Vancouver, BC

Books Cited in Connected

  • Hidden History of St. Petersburg by Will Michaels

  • Hope Lives Here by Bob Burrows

  • Liquor, Lust, and the Law by Aaron Chapman

  • Mob Rule: Inside the Canadian Mafia by James Dubro

  • Smaldone: The Untold Story of an American Crime Family by Dick Kreck

  • The Traffic in Babies by Karen Balcom

Songs Referenced

  • “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper

  • “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor

  • “My Way” – Frank Sinatra

Films Mentioned

  • Father Unknown (2014) – Dir. David Quint

  • It’s a Wonderful Life

  • Miracle on 34th Street

  • The Godfather

  • Goodfellas

  • True Lies (1994)

  • The Sopranos

Social Media, Podcasts, and Support Groups

Search for Stories

As a genealogist, I’ve spent years tracing threads from the past, piecing together lives and legacies. There’s an extraordinary beauty in finding your place in a larger tapestry of history. But what surprised me most was how this work changed my perspective—it made me realize that our personal truths are just as layered and vital as the histories we uncover

Truth in the Mundane

While genealogy offers profound moments of discovery, I’ve learned that truth often reveals itself in unexpected, everyday places. Whether it’s through a heartfelt conversation over coffee or the quiet companionship of my cat as I write, the seemingly small moments have shaped my understanding of connection.

The Journey to Connected

When I sat down to write Connected: Finding My Truth, I wasn’t just telling my story—I was searching for it. The process challenged me to revisit moments I had forgotten.

Finding Connection Everywhere

This blog is my space to explore unexpected connections—through personal stories, creative adventures, and reflections on life’s simple joys (like coffee and cats). I hope these musings inspire you to discover your own truths, wherever they may take you.