Your Roots
Becoming Better People One Generation at a Time.™
Exploring your family tree can be a life-changing adventure.
It has led me to exciting discoveries, rich insights, a second language, and more. With decades of genealogy experience (even if I’m not formally certified in the field), I’d love to put my expertise to work for you. My approach is designed to draw out hidden narratives that bring your ancestors to life, allowing you to uncover priceless gifts.
My Approach
Along with deep genealogy research, I apply my background in Hollywood and writing to help clients uncover the story of their ancestry. My work has helped to:
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Investigate family mysteries or legends
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Identify unknown parents or grandparents (when a DNA test is available)
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Uncover maternal lineages often lost to a patriarchal naming traditions
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Find connections to pre-US ancestral cultures (and more, especially for those with Italian roots)
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Explore deeper lineages that connect to the broader human experience
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Lay the foundation for a rich family history that becomes a gift for the next generation
Genealogy is more than names and dates. It’s about illuminating the unique journeys of your ancestors, the challenges they survived, and discovering those paths that led to unique you. It’s also about connecting the dots between generations and gaining insights into how your family history informs your life today.
And family history isn't just research—it's time travel! In this episode of The Naked Librarian, I share my unique perspective on genealogy, and take Victoria Payne on a captivating journey through the centuries, revealing surprising and dramatic stories about her ancestors.
My Services
When you work with me, each engagement of five-hours or more culminates in a Zoom call where I walk you—and any family members you want to include—through the family tree I built and the discoveries I made. This is a time for you to ask questions about the research and receive practical advice on how you might continue your own exploration going forward.
While exact outcomes of my engagements can be difficult to predict (much depends on available records and research complexity), I leverage all the online resources at my disposal to investigate your roots and associated ancestral stories. My goal is to find meaningful connections that have shaped—and continue to shape—your family’s narrative, one generation at a time.
Jacqueline’s abilities and passion for genealogical research are phenomenal! In just a matter of hours she uncovered that I qualify for Italian citizenship, a question I’d pondered and fumbled around to try to figure out for two years. Now I know which line of ancestry to follow and the next steps to take. Her expert research changed my trajectory. Living in Europe will be so much easier once I go through the process. It’s as if my grandmother and great grandparents brought us together. I’m endlessly grateful! - Jessica B.