About Jamie, the owner and researcher at Shifting Sands Genealogy: I've been doing family history research for about 25 years. My interest in genealogy started at a young age, as I listened to stories (some true, some not so true!) from my grandpa about his parents, who were poor immigrants from Ukraine. I interviewed my family for a family history project in third grade, and went on my first genealogy research trip when I was about 12 years old. As a lover of history and culture, I was easily hooked on genealogy. Instead, I majored in anthropology and spent time traveling on and off after college, living in other countries and exploring other cultures. I became a museum professional and managed collections of historical significance. Some of my museum work involved digitizing precious artifacts for research. Some of it involved sharing my passion for history with the public as I gave historic house tours. I also dabbled in personal assisting because I love to organize and create systems to combat clutter. I learned that clutter and disorganization can overwhelm people, and that my organizational talents were valuable to create calm from the chaos for my employers. As I looked back on my wide range of experiences, I realized that genealogy could marry a lot of my passions. I love to research, organize, and preserve family history. In addition to offering research services, I have a unique skill set to help others tackle their own mountains of documents and digital files that genealogy research can generate, as well as to offer expert advice on how to best preserve their heirlooms for future generations. I started Shifting Sands Genealogy in October 2020 so that I could help others learn more about their own family history! Why "Shifting Sands?" I grew up near the shores of Lake Michigan, with its massive dunes, dense forests, and sprawling beaches. Just like the winds coming off of the lake can cover up or expose driftwood, shipwrecks, and other hidden treasures, I love the challenge of uncovering long-forgotten pieces of family history. Imagine what could be waiting to be discovered in your own family tree!
