Case Studies in Historical Genealogy
When Family Stories Meet Documentary Evidence
These case studies demonstrate the rigorous methodology behind transforming family legends and fragmented records into documented history. Each investigation reveals how careful analysis of primary sources—from 17th-century court documents to 20th-century newspaper archives—can validate stories, resolve mysteries, and bring ancestors to life through the power of historical research.
The Louise Senécal Guilbault Case Study
Reconstructing the Life of a 17th-Century New France Pioneer
From orphan in Rouen to founding mother of New France—how cross-referencing baptismal records, marriage contracts, census data, and extraordinary court documents revealed strategic choices, mysterious gaps, and family conflicts of a Fille du Roi who left a legacy that shaped a continent.
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The Kenny Family Case Study
When Family Stories Meet Historical Documentation
From family legend to documented history—how contemporary newspaper coverage and fire department records validated a century-old story about Captain Thomas Patrick Kenny's heroic role in the 1909 Cherry Mine disaster, one of America's most famous industrial rescues.
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