Your Roots
Becoming Better People One Generation at a Time.™
Genealogy has been a lifelong passion. It inspired me to learn Italian, which led to meeting previously unknown cousins, then to our family year in Italy, and ultimately to my Let’s Leave the Country! book. Recently, my genealogical research led to obtaining Italian citizenship!
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My helping you to learn more about your family history will bring many gifts:
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For kids especially, it's a personal window into learning about history in general. Recent studies have also shown that understanding how ancestors lived fosters a sense of resilience and a deeper capacity for empathy.
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Exploring the depth and breadth of one's family tree can lead to rewarding connections via previously unknown branches. This can enhance your understanding about society today and even make traveling more fun when you meet a newly-discovered relative.
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Knowing more about your own roots leads to a deeper sense of how all humans are interconnected. I also believe this is part of our collective journey toward a more peaceful planet.
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Plus, “climbing” your family tree is fun! Over the years I’ve helped friends and clients make fascinating discoveries: royal roots, hidden branches of their ancestry, and avenues to dual citizenship. I’ve even helped adopted friends find their birth parents.
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.
I’d like to help you too! If you’re curious to learn more about your origins—and if you fit either of the scenarios below—I’d love to put my years of expertise to work on your behalf:
Starter Tree
This service is for anyone who wants to understand more about their origins or any branch of their tree: Where did your ancestors come from? How did they live? Did they take part in any major historical events?
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I will use the tools at my disposal to gather the basics about your family’s past, assuming at a minimum:
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You know of at least one family who was living in the U.S. by 1950 or earlier.
and/or
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You or other family members have taken an Ancestry DNA test revealing connections to families living in the U.S. by 1950 or earlier.
Even if past family conversations have yielded basic information, it is still possible to develop a well-researched family history. I will create an initial tree, gather as much as I can, and then guide you on next steps for adding branches and expanding your family's story.
Connect to Italy
This service is for anyone who's certain they have Italian ancestry: some names are known, as well as a general idea of where and when their ancestors lived in the U.S. in 1950 or earlier.
If that's you, you’re eager to learn more:
You’d love to know more about where in Italy they came from, or how far back you could trace your tree. Perhaps you dream of visiting your ancestral village one day and meeting Italian relatives. Maybe you’re curious about whether you’re eligible for dual citizenship.
​I will use both American and Italian online resources to help build your tree, with emphasis on your Italian roots. I will then guide you toward your next best steps, which could include further research or exploring paths to Italian citizenship.