The following persons utilize the facilities of the State Historical Society of Iowa libraries, and engage in professional genealogical (and to a smaller degree historical) research. Areas of expertise follow each listing.
All arrangements for research must be made directly with individuals on the list. Patrons and researchers should have a clear written agreement in advance as to the nature of the work to be done, whether the patron will be billed on an hourly or an all-inclusive basis (and at what intervals), and who will be responsible for the researcher's expenses. Patrons should bear in mind that researchers charge for their time and cannot guarantee the outcome of their research efforts.
This list is provided to State Historical Society of Iowa patrons. The State Historical Society of Iowa neither endorses the researchers on the list, nor assumes responsibility for the researchers' availability, schedule of fees, or research results.
Professional Researchers List (02/01/2013)
Professional Researcher
Larry Adams
P.O. Box 1
Boone, IA 50036
515- 432-1931
ladams@opencominc.com
Historical and genealogical research; licensed private investigator; forensic consultant.
Karen Alderson
Free-Lance Librarian/Private Investigator
Unit A, 4316 Lorcardo Dr., NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-2342
319-393-5829
alderson@netins.net
Missing persons (adoptees, birth families, lost loves, military friends etc.); genealogical/history research; licensed private investigator; M.A. in librarianship.
Beverly Boileau
213 N. Linn Street
Glenwood, IA 51534
717-527-5819
boileaugenes@aol.com
Mills County, courthouse and newspaper research especially.
Dale Curtice, Jr.
PO Box 1778
Des Moines, IA 50305-1778
515-490-6230
Historical and Genealogical research; vital records and newspaper research, headstone pictures for Polk County, IA; specialty is south central Iowa counties.
Katharine C. Dale
1251 White Oak Ave. NE
Lisbon, IA 52253
(Iowa City Area)
kdale@daleresearch.com
www.daleresearch.com
Specializes in academic, professional and general research. Because there is more to research than Google.
Sandra S. David, M.S. Ed.
500 6th Ave. North
Clinton, IA 52732
Clinton County (send SASE for more details and/or inquiries).
Sherry Foresman
2625 Vine St.
Apt. 102
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-270-1399
SFore58399@aol.com
Wills, census, obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, cemetery, GAR records and land records.
Denise Gripp
DBA Ever-After Enterprises
311 East 4th Avenue
Indianola IA 50125-2912
Home: (515) 961-8277
Cell: (515) 402-0337
gripper5@mchsi.com
Over 30 years of genealogical research experience; subscribed to numerous genealogical/ historical societies/libraries, with access to numerous Internet databases; large or small research requests welcome; low rates; LOVE ROAD TRIPS!
David Holmgren
1547 Thompson Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50316
Home: 515-266-0113
Cell: 515-778-8910
Dgholmgren@hotmail.com
Researches in American, Iowa, and local history; political and military historical research utilizing government documents, newspapers, and wide-ranging primary and secondary documents with extensive experience in Civil War research related to Iowa; experienced researcher on museum artifacts for exhibits. Master’s degree in history, published articles, many years experience as a teacher, professional experience as researcher and writer with the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Nick Hornyak
2835 70th Street #27
Urbandale, IA 50322-4812
515-421-0754
glossamir@yahoo.com
www.homestead.com/frelik/westover.html
Newspaper articles especially; Polk and surrounding county records research, photographing of grave stones, building and residences; will search online computer records (send SASE for more details, or contact me by email).
Josh Jenkins
AncestorStalker
Columbia, MD 21044
www.ancestorstalker.com
services@ancestorstalker.com
443-280-9785
I research all counties in Iowa; federal records; family trees; military records (i.e., Civil War, Revolutionary War); DNA projects; and Native American determination. Also location services, land, will/probate and much more. Review my excellent customer testimonials available on my web site.
Ricki King
950 65th
Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324
kingricki@inlivingmemory.org
(515) 779-4394
Specializing in African-American historical and genealogical research.
Robert Mapes
1448 Thompson Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50316
515-265-3694
Rgmapes@mchsi.com
Any type of genealogical research. Located in Polk County, but will travel, and can provide digital images of tombstones, buildings, etc.
Patrick H. Murray
4010 SE 3rd St.
Des Moines, IA 50315
515-285-7165
pat.murray@msn.com
Wills, census, obituaries and marriages. Photographs of headstones, all counties, specializing in Polk and Warren.
Cris Nagla
308 SW Diehl
Des Moines, IA 50315
515-256-1949
lilith4evr@yahoo.com
Look ups for Warren and Polk Counties: cemeteries, funeral homes, family history, etc.
John Taylor, President
Taylor & Hammel, LLC
1240 N Pitt St. Suite 200
Alexandra, VA 22314
(703)822-4658
www.taylorhammel.com
johntaylor@taylorhammel.com
Donna Marie Thomas
1019 Tekamah Lane
Papillion, NE 68046
402-880-5506
Fax 402-339-0051
dthomas@novia.net
Audubon County (especially cemetery records).
Marc D. Thompson
Professional Genealogist
708 Enfield Rd
Delray Beach, FL 33444-2625
marc@virtualhomefitness.com
www.virtualhomefitness.com/Genealogy.html
Specialties include American, European and African-American genealogy. Member of Association of Professional Genealogists.
Laura A. Vannorsdel
517 W. Grove St.
Long Grove, IA 52756
785-764-0632
historicalresearch@vannorsdel.com
General historical, object based and genealogy research. Also available for exhibit script writing. Based in the Quad Cities, but willing to research in other locations. I have a BA in History and a Masters Degree in Historical Administration and Museum Studies. I also have three plus years of experience as a museum curator in a history museum.
Helen Whannel
209 Valley West Dr.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Home: 515-225-3178
Cell: 515-339-5356
helenjwh@dwx.com
Iowa newspaper research (24 years experience).
Iowa Genealogical Society
628 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 500309-1924
515-276-0287
igs@iowagenealogy.org
U.S. and Iowa census records, vital records, cemetery records, county and town histories, G.A.R. index, World War I draft cards, Old Age assistance lists, etc.
