Research Services
I undertake independent research for individuals, writers, publishers and organizations seeking reliable information, historical context and original documentary sources. I particularly enjoy the investigative work of following an obscure reference, tracing a record and piecing together a history from scattered evidence.
Historical and archival investigation is a particular specialty, informed by doctoral research in Canadian Studies, professional journalism and twelve years in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Historical & Archival Investigations
Research can begin with a person, place, event, institution or unanswered question. I work from accessible primary and secondary sources to establish what the surviving evidence can—and cannot—tell us.
- Canadian and local history investigations
- Historical newspapers, government publications and archival finding aids
- Military service and institutional history research
- Historical timelines and documentary chronologies
- Source tracing, citation verification and contextual research for books or exhibitions
How a Commission Works
- Initial enquiry: Tell me the question you’re hoping to answer and any sources or details you already have.
- Scope: I suggest a research approach, estimated hours, costs and practical limits before work begins.
- Investigation: I track sources and keep a clear record of the evidence located.
- Findings: You receive an agreed deliverable, such as a source inventory, annotated timeline or concise findings summary.
Not every historical question has a definitive answer. I distinguish documentary findings from interpretations and flag gaps in the surviving record. Availability of materials, copyright restrictions and archive access can affect a project’s scope.
Research is offered as an independent documentary service, not as legal advice, a guarantee of findings, or a substitute for community-led research protocols.
