Over 25 years of experience, 10 years of professional experience, and author of 12 books and counting!
Introducing the Virginia Genealogist…
My name is Brendon S. Burns and I currently reside in Arlington, Virginia (i.e. that county across the river from Washington, D.C.).
I have been involved in genealogy for over twenty five years (yes, I started early, around the age of nine years!). It has been an important part of my life, and one I have been fascinated with ever since. I currently work for a genealogical society, and it has certainly fostered my continual education in the field. My specialties are in southwestern Virginia genealogy and Swiss-German genealogy (relating to Mennonites and Pennsylvania Dutch research), as well as colonial and American Revolution research.
I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and with the exception of living in Memphis/Bartlett, Tennessee, from 1998-2001, I have lived predominantly in Virginia (in Fairfax, Williamsburg, Blacksburg, and now Arlington). I attended Virginia Tech from 2003-2008, graduating with two B.A.’s, in Urban Studies & Planning and in Studio Art. Art has been another passion of mine from an early age, and has remained a hobby through the present time. After graduating from Virginia Tech, I began professionally as a coach for Virginia Tech’s Crew team, and continued as a coach there until 2012, when I moved to Washington, D.C. There, I continued coaching for American University, and later the D.C. Strokes, one of the world’s first and largest rowing teams dedicated to the LGBTQ community. I continued as a crew and rowing coach until the fall of 2016.
I have worked as a genealogist by hobby for many years, but professionally, I have worked as a genealogist since 2013. Since then, I have attained a National Institute of Genealogical Research certification (2014, now the current Gen-Fed certification), and eventually working towards higher certifications. Since June 2013, I have also worked for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution as a staff genealogist, and currently operate as a Team Leader within the society’s Genealogy department. My work within the NSDAR is independent and separate from my professional work outside of the society, though my interests in 18th century research do run hand-in-hand with the two!
The Virginia Genealogist 