Gail Blankenau

Gail Shaffer Blankenau is a professional historian, genealogist, speaker, and author specializing in Germanic genealogy, Midwestern and New England roots, and American lineage research. Her passion for family history began in childhood, exploring attic treasures and labeling old family photographs. Over the years, she has tackled complex genealogical challenges, conducting research in repositories across the U.S. and abroad, working with records in English, French, German, and Spanish.

Gail’s research and writing have been widely published in esteemed journals, including the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The Genealogist, National Genealogical Society Magazine, Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, The Ohio Genealogical Society Quarterly, and Nebraska History. She received the James L. Sellers Award for the best article in Nebraska History and was a research consultant for the award-winning book A Question of Freedom by William G. Thomas III.

An engaging speaker and experienced researcher, Gail conducts private client research and serves as the genealogist for the Nickerson Family Association, a consultant for the College of Arms (American lines), and a board member for the Germanic Genealogy Society. She also serves on the Nebraska Historical Newspaper Advisory Board and the Nebraska Heritage Room Advisory Board.

Her recent book, Journey to Freedom: Uncovering the Grayson Sisters’ Escape from Nebraska Territory (University of Nebraska Press, 2024), has been praised as "remarkable historical detective work." The book uncovers the dramatic story of Black freedom seekers Celia and Eliza Grayson, showcasing Gail’s meticulous genealogical and historical research.