Gail Shaffer Blankenau Email and Phone Number

Gail Shaffer Blankenau is a professional researcher and educator who partners with historians, genealogists, and historical societies to deepen their research skills, explore their family histories and solve research problems. She believes that learning about the individuals who people our past puts us in touch with our shared humanity. Truly, history is not just about the famous. She brings this passion for “the rest of the story” to her writing, her lectures, and her research projects, large or small. She has published articles in the "New England Genealogical and Historical Register," "The Genealogist," "The National Genealogical Society Magazine," "Internet Genealogy," "Family Chronicle "and more. She is a regular contributor to the Legacy Family Tree webinars online. Some of her “in person” conference appearances include the International German Genealogy conference, the Nebraska State Genealogical Society, the Iowa State Genealogical Society, the Fort Worth Genealogical Society and other regional offerings. She was a consulting researcher for "O Say Can You See" project at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of History, and she serves the Nickerson Family Association on Cape Cod. She is currently working on a second Master’s degree in American History. Gail is open to a limited number of new projects, and will be available for speaking engagements. For a sample of her presentations, watch Gail share her passion at two Nebraska State Historical Society brown bag lectures, Women Homesteaders: Three Case Studies; and Take All to Nebraska – How They Came through the media hotlinks below.

Taught highly gifted students in the areas of language arts and French. Became known as the "kid whisperer," by tailoring learning to individual needs and interests. Chosen to speak at the Nebraska State Gifted Conference on "Getting Students Published" based on success in this area.

As a freelancer, Gail researched, marketed and wrote pieces for a variety of publications, including "Field & Stream," "Country Victorian Accents," "U. S. Water News," "Lapidary Journal," "NebraskaLand," and "Star City Sports." Other projects included grant prospect research and assisting in grant proposal writing for small, nonprofit organizations, and developing a wide range of business, technical and publicity materials including brochures, newsletters, press releases and public service announcementsAs a volunteer, Gail directed and developed publicity for volunteer fundraising events such as the 2007 Golf Scramble for Friends of Lied, including refining and expanding media list, media contacts, writing press releases, designing posters, as well as writing sponsorship and participant letters for fund development. Gail has also booked appearances and appeared on local television and radio shows for a variety of fundraising events. She has also served as printing chairperson for the 2008 Lied Gala event, as well as developed the publicity for "Valentines with Ted Kooser" 2008, in conjunction with tUniversity of Nebraska Press. Gail has appeared in or written publicity spots for "L Magazine," "Lincoln Journal-Star," the "Neighborhood Extra," 10-11 News, and Channel 8 News. As spring event chairperson for Lincoln Legal Auxiliary, Gail increased attendance by 20% through a targeted publicity campaign, including press releases, targeted mailings, email campaign, and appearances in eastern Nebraska radio and television outlets. General Reporting Service - proofreading of court proceedings, administrative hearings and interrogatories for a wide variety of projects, developing familiarity with specialized vocabularies in a fast-paced, deadline-driven atmosphere.