Guest Genealogist - Brenda Dougall Merriman

Ask Olive Tree Genealogy a Question is very pleased to announce that tomorrow's question will be answered by our first Guest Genealogist on this blog - Brenda Dougall Merriman. Brenda has generously given of her time to respond to a question on Ontario Land Records. I am honoured to have Brenda's expertise for this question and I hope I might persuade her to take on a few more challenging questions in the future!

Since 1979 Brenda has been certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (Washington DC) and later served six years as a BCG trustee. In 1996 she founded the group that became the Ontario Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists (OCAPG). After years of client research, speaking engagements and working with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, Brenda now concentrates on writing, some continued work with the Jackman Foundation-sponsored Petworth Emigration project/website and volunteering with OCAPG.

Brenda has written the following excellent genealogy books.

United Empire Loyalists: A Guide to Researching Loyalist Ancestors in Upper Canada (Campbellville, ON: Global Heritage Press, 2006).

Winner of the 2008 NGS Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources, this book published by Global Heritage Press is a long-needed guide to the records and context for researching Loyalist ancestors in the province that became Ontario. It not only assists the beginner, but also those who encounter stumbling blocks as they assemble applications to the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada. Merriman explains what a Loyalist is, then goes on to discuss the background and the contemporary sources it produced. A chapter of case studies provides examples of methodology and problem-solving. This is an essential guide for everyone researching Loyalist heritage. Global Heritage Press publishes both a hard cover and a coil bound edition.

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) 2008 Award of Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources is

"Presented to an individual or nonprofit organization for a specific, significant single contribution in the form of a book, an article, or a series of articles published during the past three years that discusses genealogical methods and sources and serves to foster scholarship and/or otherwise advances or promotes excellence in genealogy."

The 2008 NGS awards were announced at their annual banquet on Friday 15 May 2009. Read more about this prestigious award at Brenda's Blog

Brenda is also the author of Genealogy in Ontario: Searching the Records, 4th ed. (2008) and About Genealogical Standards of Evidence, 3rd ed. (2008) both published by the Ontario Genealogical Society.

Thank you Brenda for giving your time to respond to tomorrow's question!