Look and Listen

Biography

After my Dad passed away in 1993 I felt completely lost. Mostly for comfort I began reading more and working on my family genealogy. It was wonderful therapy and the research turned into far more than a hobby. I began collecting original source material for my research which eventually developed into a personal collection of well over 5,000 original 19th Century newspapers. I knew the data in these papers would be useful to fellow researchers. My first book was published in 2003 by Heritage Books. My intent was to provide as much information with original names and dates as possible. After six more books that were aimed at the genealogical market I found an entirely new and exciting subject. Tucked in every one of those old newspapers were the most amazing stories of murder, mayhem and mishaps than you could imagine. That was the genesis for my latest work: Poor Mrs. Godwin and Other Unfortunates. Actual stories of ordinary citizens of 1800's America as written by the intrepid reporters of that era.

Inspiration

My love of history inspired me to attempt to bring to life the events of our ancestors to illustrate how technology may change but people are still basically the same. Horrific crimes have always been common in America.