About Nancy Loe

“Loe: Norwegian habitational name from any of several farms named Lo, from Old Norse Ló, of uncertain etymology” †

†And I always cite my sources. In this case: Dictionary of American Family Names, New York: Oxford University Press, 2003, p. 452.

My name is Nancy Loe. I’m a genealogist and have worked in professionally in libraries and archives for four decades.

I hold dual Master’s degrees from The Catholic University of America in American History and in Library Science with a specialization in archives administration. Because I studied in Washington, DC, I was fortunate to be able to intern twice at the Smithsonian Institution.

Career in Archives and Special Collections

I started my first professional job as Head of Local History and Genealogy at the Pikes Peak Library District. Alex Haley’s Roots was making genealogy extremely popular, so we were very busy. Since then I’ve managed academic special collections and archives in California. My staff and I acquired, preserved, organized archival collections. We also guided researchers. I wrote and managed NEH grants to digitize finding aids and archival materials.

The Launch of Sassy Jane Genealogy

In 2010, I started Sassy Jane Genealogy. The name comes from a 1920s print advertisement for Sassy Jane Rayon Frocks. Combining my love for vintage ephemera and genealogy research. my website helps genealogists. My blog, ebooks, presentations, and monthly genealogy newsletter focus on U.S. and European research.

I’m happy to say I found exactly where my Loe ancestors were from in Norway. I’ve also discovered the birthplaces of my other great-grandparents in Scotland, Austria, Sweden, Romania, and Prussia (now Poland).

Media and Presentations

In addition to appearing on PBS’s American Experience and California’s Gold, and the Travel Channel, I’ve presented at RootsTech, National Genealogical Society, and conferences and webinars in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. A full list of my presentations is available here.

Professional Affiliations

  • Society of American Archivists
  • Society of California Archivists
  • Association of Professional Genealogists
  • National Genealogical Society
  • Genealogical Speakers Guild
  • Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
  • Germanic Genealogy Society
  • Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society
  • Sacramento German Genealogical Society
  • Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, Life Member
  • Pikes Peak Genealogical Society, Founding Member

Interests

When I’m not working on trees for my clients, I enjoy making progress on my own family history (Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Austria, Prussia, Romania, South Africa, and New Zealand) and my husband’s (New England, the Midwest and Plains states, England, and Scotland).

And when I’m not seeing dead people, I enjoy getting away from the phosphorescent glow of my monitor. I’m very fond of reading, Turner Classic Movies, reading, dinner parties, reading, wine tastings, reading, travel, reading, movies, reading, and chocolate. And reading – can’t forget that.

With decades of experience with primary sources and genealogical research, I can help you get started on your family research, suggest new avenues to explore for those brick-wall ancestors, or speak to your genealogy group. Contact me here with your ideas.

About Sassy Jane Genealogy

Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct 1926: A6.

Sassy Jane Genealogy is a genealogy website, featuring my blog posts and ebooks on U.S. and European family history research. Information on effective genealogy research is featured often, together with help on organizing and citing your research.

The name Sassy Jane comes from 1920s newspaper ads for “Sassy Jane Rayon Frocks.”  I discovered their print ads while doing newspaper research, so I combined my love of vintage ephemera and genealogy research into Sassy Jane Genealogy. You’ll see these flappers at work around my site, alerting you to information that helps your family history research.

A lot has changed about genealogy since 1977 and my first job as a genealogy librarian, except for my delight in helping people finding their ancestors. I hope Sassy Jane helps you.