About Laura
Some inherited genealogy!
The idea of the 'willow tree' expresses my feeling of sitting under a willow - cozily surrounded on all sides - by a sense of family. Let me help you be surrounded by yours!
Although raised in southeastern Iowa, I’ve moved all around the Midwest: Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, now back to Illinois - currently Sugar Grove, a rural “far western” suburb of Chicago-land.
My husband and I became interested in family history in college (around 1978) when a professor asserted we all had immigrant ancestors. This novel thought made us wonder who ours might be. And then came the mini-series "Roots." Like thousands of others we were hooked on genealogy! Thus began years of research as avid hobbyists, attending countless workshops, traveling all over the country on research trips, taking community college courses, being inundated and loving it. We like to say our three daughters were raised tramping through graveyards! Now we have grandchildren in training!
Luckily, my set of Quaker grandparents (Street family line) were genealogists long before it became a popular pastime. They left copious notes, mostly on their numerous Quaker ancestors. That was a huge start to my family tree, at least on my father's side. While still a young mother I compiled a book on my mother's Gerst family, beginning with her great-grandparents (German immigrant), and tracing all of their descendants - and they were prolific! I'm still trying to keep up-to-date on that branch …
Through the years we had so much fun and found so many interesting stories that sharing our experiences and expertise with friends and family became second nature. I became known as the family historian, on several family branches.
In my everyday life I am a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother of six (plus one on the way). For a number of years I was employed by midwestern Catholic parishes, variously as parish musician, choir director, liturgist, and pastoral associate. I hold a BA from the University of Northern Iowa (in Interior Design, of all things!) and an MPS (Masters of Pastoral Studies) from Loyola University (New Orleans).
A long-time dream came true with the launch of Willowtree Research Genealogy Services in 2013. In 2014, I completed the Boston University “Certificate in Genealogical Research” program and am now a proud BU Gen certificate-holder (OL 14). Eventually, I ticked a box on my ‘bucket list’ employed as History & Genealogy Manager at a local library. In that role I oversaw the creation and opening of their Lawrence J. Martin Heritage Center. Along the way I’ve served on several genealogical boards, including as a Director and Newsletter Editor for the Illinois State Genealogical Society.
Since retirement in 2020 I am excitedly devoting more time to my genealogy business. It's so rewarding helping others enjoy the excitement and tremendous fulfillment of learning about their own family heritage.