Jess is a Niagara resident and historical researcher dedicated to understanding, preserving, and sharing stories of the past. She earned a Masters degree in history from Brock University in 2020, using GIS to investigate trade, communication networks, and economic development in Niagara during the early Loyalist period. She has worked and volunteered at a number of heritage sites over the past seven years and currently works as the Director of Community Engagement at The Brown Homestead, the oldest house in St. Catharines. She also works part-time on local projects relating to archaeology, built heritage conservation, historical report writing, digital history and public history.