About Us

Liz Duren and Mark McKinney are the people behind this project. They live in Charleston, South Carolina, USA and have been friends for 30 years.

LIZ DUREN

Diary Editor & Voice of Elisabeth

Liz Butler Duren is an actor and award-winning author of All About You, An Adopted Child’s Memoir which tells the true story of her 29-year search to find her birth mother. A "charming, relatable memoir on adoption, love, and identity." (Kirkus Reviews). “Amazing and uplifting story of family and where you fit into it.” -The Post and Courier, Charleston SC. By day, she is a walking tour guide of historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Her love of history and her dedication to research made her a perfect companion for the Elisabeth Hartsell diary project. She lives with her husband and 4 children in Charleston, SC.

MARK McKINNEY

Grandson of Elisabeth & video editor of My Grandma's Diaries

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Mark is originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina. His background is in television (see video above) as a features reporter and meteorologist. In 2002 he left the TV business and started his own video production company. He has edited thousands of videos since the early 1980s. He also teaches video editing at Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC. My Grandma's Diaries is by far the most satisfying project ever....and it has so many interesting and fun media assets! (photos, music, videos, etc).