Genealogy and Online Research - Claudia C. Breland

10/19/2025

Claudia's Genealogy and Book News for October 2025 -

07/26/2025

Just sent out my July newsletter!
You can read it here:

07/25/2025

Just published: my third Home to Beulah mystery. This one is based on a true story!

In 1887 Rhoda Jones was bedridden, unable to walk. When she was found next to the railroad tracks the papers called it "a sad case of su***de." But was it? That same year Eleanor Roberts was called to Florida to care for her mother and sister, who were deathly ill with blackwater fever. Family...

10/24/2024

Announcing my latest genealogy mystery: North to Naubinway!

The year is 1974, and Grace and Allen’s granddaughter Sophie arrives in Beulah to open up the cottage on Crystal Lake. She visits Gran’s old friend Chloe McGrath and hears the story of a long-ago road trip. In 1924, Grace has been in her cottage for a year when she is called to Detroit to care f...

09/12/2024

Well, I guess I'm not quite as retired as I thought I was! Last month a genealogy society begged me for a presentation, so I'm working up "Ancestry Pro Tools: Not Just for Professionals." If your society or library is interested, please contact me!

04/26/2024

I am thrilled to announce that I will be speaking to the Women's Auxiliary of Crystal Downs Country Club in Beulah, Michigan on June 21st - IN PERSON! I will be staying at my Uncle Lew's house that I've known and loved since I was five years old, and the The Cherry Hut Restaurant is planning to have me do an author signing event.

Michigan, here I come!

02/23/2024

Article in the Benzie County Record Patriot:

Dive into the 1920s with Claudia Breland's latest book, "Home to Beulah," a genealogy mystery set in Benzie County.

02/19/2024

Published!

At age 22, Grace Dorsch has her hands full keeping house for her father, stepmother and two younger siblings in 1920s Detroit, Michigan. Suddenly, a letter announcing a bequest of a cottage in the tiny village of Beulah, in northern Michigan, turns her world upside down. Awaiting her there are ne...

02/19/2024

I just revived my newsletter, which has more details about my newest book. If you'd like to read it, or add your name to the mailing list, you can do so here:

11/13/2022

As your thoughts turn toward Christmas shopping, I would like to suggest this enchanting 100 year history of a nationally known restaurant that started out as a pie stand on the shore of Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan. Lavishly illustrated and containing reminiscences from staff and customers alike, it will provide hours of fun reading. If you order from The Cherry Hut, owner Andy Case and I will get more profit than if you order from Amazon. And while you're at it, order some dried cherries and cherry jam!

Written by Claudia C. Breland, our 100th anniversary book includes historic photos, quirky stories, and a timeline of how The Cherry Hut evolved over ten decades. Price includes Shipping.

10/21/2020

New blog post: "Sources and Why They Matter"

Yesterday's Sources