A box of old family pictures, bits of information, stories of happiness and sadness, success and failure sparked an interest in my French Canadian heritage that led me to write, Alphonsine, an historical novel based on my great-great-grandparent's relocation  in 1881 from Montreal to Rapid City, Dakota Territory. It is my wish that this novel and future ones of pioneer times will give my readers insight into how past generations lived. What was imprtant to them? What were their accomplishments? How did they cope with defeats? What can the reader learn from these people of the past? I have loved pioneer history most of my life and have an Area of Concentration in American History along with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University.