Genealogy Research | ForensiKat

GENEALOGY RESEARCH SERVICES

Every person on Earth has a family tree with roots and branches. The roots represent ancestral lines, or those that came before and laid the foundation for future generations. The branches exemplify the future - the descendant lines - or those who carry on family names, traditions, burdens and – to varying degrees – DNA.

I can help you breathe life into your family tree and fill its branches with names, dates, and relationships. Each person on the tree – whether above or below ground - transforms from a vague shadowy figure to a person who lived a life filled hopes, dreams, heartaches, and pain - through times we have often only read about in history books or novels.

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Services include:

TRACING ANCESTRY: I can help you build your family tree by searching historical records (census data, birth certificates, marriage licenses, obituaries, land records, etc.), and am skilled at breaking through stubborn research roadblocks. I adhere to established genealogy ethics, standards, and methods, and respect you and your family’s privacy rights above anything else.
DESCENDANT RESEARCH: I work diligently to find descendants of a particular ancestor, which can be helpful for reuniting families or joining lineage societies.
RECORDS SEARCHING: Sifting through historical records can be time-consuming and challenging. I have the expertise and experience to locate relevant records efficiently, including navigating archives, courthouses, and online databases.
DECIPHERING HANDWRITING: Many historical records are handwritten, and the script can be difficult to read. I’ve developed skills required to decipher this handwriting and accurately extract the information you need.
COMPILING FAMILY HISTORIES: I can help you organize records, information tidbits and more into a cohesive family history narrative.
DNA ANALYSIS ASSISTANCE: DNA testing companies provide raw data, which can be confusing if you are new to the field. I can help you interpret the results in the context of your family history and identify potential relatives who have also taken DNA tests.

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Professional Experience

I have always been interested in genealogy and intrigued by all aspects of conducting research to find answers to mysteries and help solve problems. I sat at my dad's knee in the mid-1990s, absorbing the genealogical research process as he researched his ancestors. He turned that information into two published books – one a Wynn Family History book and the other, The Mormon and Mr. Sullivan, a historical fiction based on my paternal 3X great grandfather’s possible link to Mormon apostle Parley Parker Pratt’s death and the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

To advance my interest in the genealogy field I started from scratch, taking genealogy courses at the National Institute for Genealogy Studies (NIGS) in 2020. Next, I completed two rigorous genealogical research projects as a student in the University of New Haven's Graduate Certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy program, and a mock forensic investigative genetic genealogy missing persons’ case. I am actively pursuing opportunities to build my caseload experience with law enforcement agencies, and have successfully sumitted two final case reports that identified several next-of-kin in decades-old missing persons cases for NOKfinders.

I am also working towards becoming a Certified Genealogist, beginning with participation in ProGen, a peer-guided study group for aspiring and professional genealogists.

My areas of expertise include:

Southern United States research projects
South Central United States research projects
Southeast United States research projects
Southwest United States research projects
Northeastern United States research projects
African American genealogy research projects
Next-of-kin research for known/unclaimed deceased individuals and known missing individuals
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy research and case management
Genealogical research related to paranormal activities
Genealogical research related to the Mountain Meadows Massacre

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