Margaret L StatesWanting to know more about her maternal family's background, Margaret L. States spent over twelve years on archival research at the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, the Public Archives and Record Management in Halifax, Nova Scotia, andconducted interviews. Her passion for genealogical research began when she was preparing her thesis for a Master of Arts and Master of Education Degrees at St. Mary's University.

She is a retired teacher who spent more than thirty years working with students in public schools and community colleges in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Québec. On numerous occasions, Margaret has been requested to be the Keynote Speaker for community organizations celebrating historical anniversaries.

Margaret was inspired to write Gooseberries Have Thorns because Maggie Elms' story validates the presence of Loyalists of Africana descent as settlers in pre-confederation Canada. In addition, their descendants have been contributors to Canadian society. In recognition of this, as a narrative, Gooseberries Have Thorns is a vignette of our Canadian history.

Margaret lives in Gatineau, Québec with her husband. This is her first book. Read More Read Less