I offer document retrieval and scanning both online and in-person at any museum, gallery and archive serving the National Capital Region and beyond. My most requested institutions so far are Library and Archives Canada (LAC), the Canadian War Museum (CWM), the Canadian Museum of History (CMH), the National Gallery of Canada (NGC), and the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH). I am also available to travel to other museums, galleries and archives in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

Document Retrieval – the specialized process of locating, accessing and securing records, from established organizations, departments, and governments at the local, municipal, provincial/territorial and federal levels. Documents and records can include archival records, published materials, genealogy and family history, military records, photographs, art, and audio-visual records, and digital content.  

Document Scanning & Processing – the process of converting physical paper (and microfilm/microfiche) records into digital formats (currently scanning with a CZUR Lens800 scanner) to enable instant, secure, and searchable access to information (retrieval). I convert all JPEG scanned files into a secure, searchable PDF to facilitate organization and access to information.

I offer ATIP request assistance for all Government of Canada records that are protected by the Privacy Act and require Access to Information Requests. I can walk you through the process of submitting a request or can submit requests on your behalf.

Including full research packages with interpretation & analysis of findings from Document Retrieval & Scanning service.

Analysis & interpretation of various primary and secondary sources materials including textual/documentary, visual, material, and aural sources, etc.

I am a specialist with over a decade of experience researching, developing and writing detailed Research Backgrounders including information on historical persons, places, events, and subjects which can facilitate the writing, publication and presentation of any number of projects.

The research packages I create can be used by historians and curators working on exhibitions in museums, galleries, archives and libraries, by public historians, scriptwriters and podcast hosts working on podcast and educational audio presentation development, individuals and academics preparing publications such as books, journal articles, blog posts, and conference presentations, etc.

Learning & Education Guides – structured, comprehensive sets of instructional materials, tools and resources designed for teachers, instructors and professors to facilitate students’ learning both individually and in groups in elementary, secondary and post-secondary classrooms, following current curriculum requirements and best practices for the province of Ontario.

My learning and education guides for history students use the Historical Thinking Concepts:

https://historicalthinking.ca/historical-thinking-concepts.  

Examples of learning and education guides include (but are not limited to): instructional packages, training packages, digital/e-learning packages, listening guides, and professional development packages for independent learning.  

Literature Reviews – a comprehensive survey, critical analysis, and synthesis of existing scholarly literature (including articles, monographs, reports, blog posts, documentaries, podcasts, etc.) on a specific topic. A literature review evaluates past research, tracks key trends in scholarship over time, identifies silences or gaps in the scholarship and knowledge, and justifies the need for new directions for further research.   

Annotated Bibliographies – less involved than a full or complete literature review. An annotated bibliography includes a properly formatted alphabetical list of primary and secondary research sources (according to the Chicago Manual of Style), accompanied by brief, 150 word annotations that summarize, assess, and reflect on the source’s quality, accuracy, and relevance to the research topic.   

Copyediting – improves readability, flow and consistency in grammar, tone and style.

Proofreading – the final check for typos, layout and formatting errors before submission/publication.

For early career researchers, historians, artists, performers, non-profits, not-for-profits, independent museums, municipal museums, and cultural & heritage organizations seeking funding to supplement their yearly programming and finances.

I help organizations and individuals focus on their impact, define clear objectives and outcomes, using clear language free from specialized language or jargon. I tell my students all the time: define your terms!