I’m Catherine Sweeney, a family historian, genealogist, storyteller, birder, photographer, mom, and widow. My passion for uncovering the stories hidden in my family’s history has led me on a journey of discovery that has taken me back through the generations.
As a genealogist, I’ve spent countless hours researching and piecing together the lives of my ancestors. I’ve uncovered fascinating details about my family’s past and breathed life into our understanding of how they lived and what mattered to them. I enjoy doing the same for others or sharing strategies to go beyond bloodline and look for less obvious information to give dimension to the names on our branches.
When I’m not delving into family history, you can usually find me outdoors with my camera in one hand and binoculars in the other. I’m an avid birder and enjoy observing and learning about the birds and wildlife that inhabit the woods and lake I live near, also capturing images of everything around me whenever possible.
My husband, who was my best friend, died of cancer in 2013 when he was only fifty, and our two children are now grown. Just before the Covid-19 shutdown, I (barely) managed to sell our home in NJ and move to a home I had built in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I’m passionate about preserving family history and passing down stories to future generations. Through my blog, I share my knowledge and experience with others interested in researching their family histories.