A passionate advocate for local heritage, Claudine Burnett has spent over five decades exploring  California history. After serving as head of the Literature and History Department at the Long Beach Public Library, she continues to lend her expertise to various historical societies.

Backed by a B.A. in History (UCI), an M.S. in Information Science (UCLA), and an M.P.A. (CSU Long Beach), Claudine brings deep research skills to her regular column in the Long Beach Beachcomber and her editorial work across historical publications.

An accomplished historian, Claudine Burnett has received widespread acclaim for her work, including national radio and television features and multiple prestigious awards. The Long Beach Business Journal named her one of the city’s most influential people in the cultural arts, while the Long Beach Press-Telegram described her as “one of this town’s finest historians.” Through her meticulously researched books, Ms. Burnett brings forgotten archives to life, offering readers exciting new perspectives on California and local history.

WHAT THE AUTHOR HAS TO SAY ABOUT HERSELF:

As a retired librarian, I spent 25 years immersing myself in microfilmed archives within the Long Beach Public Library’s Periodicals Department. During that time, I built the library’s  Long Beach History Index, tracing local stories back to 1881—the year William Willmore founded the township that became Long Beach, and the year the Los Angeles Times first went to print.

Browsing through early editions of the Times, the Los Angeles Herald, and various local papers, I uncovered countless fascinating stories of the people and events that shaped California. Knowing these treasures might otherwise sit forgotten in filing cabinets, I began writing books to bring them back to life. My research is an ongoing passion. By delving into personal journals, private letters, and newly digitized newspaper archives, I continue my mission to uncover forgotten historical records and bring California’s hidden past back to light.

FOR MORE don’t miss Claudine Burnett’s interview on early Long Beach aviation.   ALSO HER VOYAGE LA and C-Span interviews     

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

“Long Beach is fortunate to have such an accomplished historian. Thank you for everything you do to keep our rich history alive.”

“Long Beach librarian, researcher and author Claudine Burnett has, as is always the case, been a tremendous and reliable source of some of the facts in this book. There are some history writers in this town who use her research shamelessly (she is remarkably free with it) without giving her credit. I hope to never forget or neglect to mention the work she has done in archiving and preserving the city’s history in every aspect.”

“‘Soaring Skyward’ is another example of the good publicity and attention the city receives for its rich background in aviation.”

“(Haunted Long Beach) is a wonderful history of Long Beach, as well as a good source of real ghost stories…”

“(Haunted Long Beach) I loved this book. I love Long Beach and Ghost stories. This book was very informative and fun! I learned some history that I did now know…”