By Hope Cronkright

She’s in the business of “family history mysteries.” On August 10, 2009, Cedar Springs native and Local Family Historian Roberta Schirado put her first book on the shelves. The book, titled Rockford, is part of the Images of America Series preserving the history of communities throughout the country.

“You don’t know where you’re going until you know where you have been,” said Schirado. Her passion for writing and history are well displayed in the book.

Rockford is a collection of photo-essays covering the late 19th and early-to mid-20th century. Done in conjunction with the Rockford Historical Society, the scans from the book will be kept on permanent record at the museum.

By knowing the history of a location, Schirado explains, “you can avoid making the same mistake over and over and over. Not only being aware of the mistakes, but remembering them.”

Schirado resided in Cedar Springs for 18 years until moving to Rockford. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Central Michigan University. She has also served eight years as an editor for Michigana, a quarterly journal for the West Michigan Genealogical society.

Currently, Schirado is working on her second book, a mystery. “It’s about a woman who is a genealogist and a mystery that comes along, with several of her friends,” said Schirado. She explained that the book shows people what you have to do to figure out your family history.

To order Rockford or find out more information on the book contact:

Rockford, $21.99, Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.