Features Column

Genealogical researcher sparks interest and intrigue

By jennifer priest-mitchell

The Beaverton Valley Times, Sep 21, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

(Jennifer Priest Mitchell is a freelance writer in Beaverton. She can be reached at jnjmitchell@yahoo.com.)

Ever wonder if a long-lost aunt or third cousin may pass away and leave you part of their fortune? Local genealogist Leslie Lawson researches heirs to estates and often reports to lost relatives on such news. Unfortunately, though, as Lawson explained, “Most of the time, there is not a fortune to be inherited.”

She mainly works for attorneys and said that if someone died and did not have a will or list of heirs, she must take what information the attorney has on the person and look for living relatives.

“I’ve done this professionally since 2000,” Lawson said. “Before that, I dabbled in (genealogy) as I had time. I took some classes and it was a fun hobby.”

Lawson is a bit modest about her training. There are two primary national genealogy conferences annually, and her education includes such training.

“I try to make it to one or the other of them each year. They take place in different locations each time,” she said.

While Lawson can do research in any of the 50 states, she explained that she does not do adoption research.

“I can refer people in that area,” she said. “I can refer them to someone else. It’s just that I do not do that sort of work.”

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