About Claire

Claire's my name, genealogy's my game. 

Claire Gene Esker began her interest in genealogy at age 21, when she realized no one had documented her grandfather's Polish family.  Since that time, a series of lucky strokes, serendipity, and good detective skills helped her earn a place in the University of Strathclyde's Genealogic, Palaeographic, and Heraldic Studies Program.  She graduated with merit in 2020 with her thesis on Polish American women in Chicago during the turn of the 19th century.

Since then, she's been published in Morasha, the newsletter of the Illinois Jewish Genealogical Society on the subject of women's ethical wills and described her thesis in Rodzinny, the journal of the Polish Genealogical Society of America, where she also serves as a volunteer researcher.

A member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists and the Association for Professional Genealogists, Claire is continuing her education at the National Institute of Genealogical Studies and through ProGen 56.  

Vision, Mission, and Values 

My Vision 

At Past Forward Family History, the historical and cultural experiences of families are incredibly valuable.  They can give us a sense of closure, a feeling of belonging, and an understanding that we are not alone, either in our own communities or in the whole of the wider human family.

My Mission

My aim is to help clients discover and understand the influences that brought them to where they and their families are today by recounting the experiences of their ancestors with sensitivity, humanity, and the addition of necessary context.

My Values

Past Forward Family History values a few important ideas:

·         All families and individuals are worthy of respect.

·         Families are unique in their makeup and experience.

·         We owe our ancestors an honest remembrance of their lives.

·         Understanding our histories can help us build bridges to respect.  

·         The young benefit from seeing their lives as part of a larger story.   

·         As a family historian, it is my responsibility to keep learning and growing. 

Why Work with Me

Hiring a genealogist can be tough and is an investment in honest, precision, and the preservation of your legacy. Here are some reasons why I am always ready and uniquely prepared to serve as your family historian of choice: 

• Academically Trained

I hold an Master of Science with Merit from the University of Strathclyde's program in Genealogical, Paleographic, and Heraldic Studies. Additionally, I have am also a graduate of the International Institute of Genealogical Studies programs in American Records and Methodology, as well as ProGen 56. 

• Professionally Qualified 

I am a full voting member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) and the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and thus, adhere to their standards for quality, ethics, and professional development. 

• Committed to Ethics and Standards 

I uphold the Codes of Conduct of the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), as well as understand and consider BCG's genealogical standards in all my projects. 

• Committed to Protecting Your Investment

I know your making a significant emotional and material investment in my work. I am guided by legal, financial, and insurance counsel to make sure that every project is handled with appropriate care and accountability. I also deeply value transparency in pricing and want you to know exactly what you'll be getting. 

• Broad Professional Network and a History of Leadership

I serve of the Boards of the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA) as Secretary-Vice President and the Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) as Education Chair. As such, I have contributed statewide and nationally to advancing genealogical knowledge, education, and access.  

• Linguistic and International Knowledge 

I work with records in English, Latin, German, and Polish and maintain a continuous study of the Polish language to support my work in Central and Eastern European history.

• Creative and Strong Research Skills 

Solving complex genealogical porblems and using challenging archival sources is my specialty. I am particularly familiar with military records, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests, and using the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). When I can't solve a problem, I will always help my clients find trusted specialists who may be able to help move the project along.