About Valerie

about image

Hi, I'm Valerie! Welcome!

 

Valerie became fascinated about her family history while still a young girl. Family tradition had it that her great, great grandmother was an Indian princes, (a story started by said grandmother no less).

 

Raised in a family that moved like migratory birds, Valerie latched onto this story. She spent hours reading about horses and Indians – just in case the tribe should ever need her to come and take her rightful place on the throne.

 

By the time she found out that there was no such thing as Indian royalty, it was too late – she was hooked.

 

Valerie is a professional family history researcher, presenter, writer and lover of great stories. She uses her background and training to help others find the joy of knowing their own story and preserving it creative and meaningful ways.

 

Valerie is the chief researcher and founder of her own research firm where she specializes in finding family history stories and leaving a legacy. Valerie has worked at the famed Family History Library in Salt Lake City as an international research consultant and has served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Professional Genealogists.

 

Valerie is frequent speaker and has presented both nationally and internationally on a variety of subjects related to family history research, technology and finding family stories.

 

Valerie blogs about all things related to family history and making memories on her blog FamilyCherished.com.

Some highlights:
Author:
Articles Featuring Valerie:
Continuing Education:
Memberships and Affiliations:
Some highlights:

  • Research consultant for Shed Media, producer of television’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” for confidential possible celebrity’s episode.

  • Research consultant for BYUTV’s “The Generations Project” 11/8/2011 episode on US Olympic snowboarder, Graham Watanabe.

  • National Genealogical Society Official Blogger for 2013 Family History Conference

  • Family History Expos Official Blogger – 2012

  • Family Tree Magazine - "Top 40 International Family History Blogs", 2012

  • Family Tree Magazine - "Top Social Media Mavericks", 2014

  • Rootstech Official Ambassador (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)

  • Association of Professional Genealogists - Board of Directors (2015-2018)

  • Utah Genealogical Association - past 2nd Vice President and Publicity and Marketing Chair

  • Story@Home - Board of Directors

Author:

  • "Finding Your Japanese Ancestors," Utah Genealogical Association Crossroads Magazine, December 2013

  • "Grounding Yourself in the GPS," The Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, December 2013, [co-authored with Luana Darby]

  • "30 Days to Becoming Unforgettable," Family Cherished Publications, January 2015

Articles Featuring Valerie:

  • Schoenberg, Nara. "How to Write Your Family History: Genealogical Experts Share Offer Advice," The Chicago Tribune, February 5, 2015

  • McGurdie, Greg. "20 'Can’t Miss' RootsTech Sessions to Help You Grow your Family Tree." FamilySearch Blog, February 6, 2015

  • Shoer, Jennifer. "An Interview with Valerie Elkins," The In-Depth Genealogist, February 2015

  • Bahr, Ellen. "Just Pin It! The Power of Pinterest for Family History," FamilySearch Blog, September 15, 2014

  • Herzog, Alison J. "Find Stories of Women Relatives with Inspiration from Fearless Females," FamilySearch Blog, March 27, 2015

  • Frequent contributor to FamilySearch blog

Continuing Education:

  • Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy:

    • Professional Genealogy; 2011
    • Advanced Genealogical Methods; 2012
    • Forensic Genealogy; 2013
    • Southern States Research; 2014
    • Writing a Proof Summary; 2015
    • Early U.S. Church Records; 2016

  • International Society of British Genealogy and Family History

    • Irish Research; 2015

  • National Genealogical Society - American Genealogical Studies: The Basics Certificate; 2016. American Genealogical Studies: Source Documentation and Citation Certificate; 2016

  • Forensic Genealogy Institute, Dallas, Texas -Forensic Genealogy Certificate; 2013

  • Daughters of American Revolution, Washington, D.C.

    • Genealogical Research for DAR Applications Certificate

  • Association of Professional Genealogy - Professional Management Conference: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2105, 2016

  • National Genealogical Society Family History Conference 2013, 2016

  • Federation of Genealogical Societies Family History Conference; 2014

  • Brigham Young Family History Conference; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

  • Rootstech Family History Conference; 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

  • International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogist Family History Conference; 2013, 2014

Memberships and Affiliations:

  • Association of Professional Genealogists (Board of Directors)

  • Genealogical Speakers Guild

  • National Genealogical Society

  • Federation of Genealogical Societies

  • Daughters of American Revolution

  • International Society of Family History Writers and Editors

  • National Association of Memoir Writers

  • Utah Genealogical Association (past 2nd Vice President & Board of Directors)

  • Nonfiction Authors Association: Chapter Leader for South Denver

“If we own the story, then we can write the ending.” - Brene Brown

"Thank you so much for your inspiring our group to focus on family history. You made a tremendous impact. I continue to hear members reference your [presentation]. We appreciate your time, talents, and efforts in leading this great work."

Jason K.

"Thorough, easy-to-understand and interesting...you gave us tips that we could start using today - and you made it fun too!"

Ginny

"I enjoyed your presentation today. You have a great casual teaching style."

J. Mark Lowe

"Loved your Rootstech class, you had so many resources! You are great and your story instigated helping so many people to remember their story. Thanks so much."

Lana