Rooted in Evidence, Grounded in Experience
I started my genealogy journey over 40 years ago with a single, faded Naturalization document, back when research meant microfilm, courthouse ledgers, and mailed record requests. Today, I pair that old-school persistence with modern tools like digitized archives, GIS data, and DNA analysis to uncover and connect family histories — telling the stories of the lives lived between the names and dates.
Services Overview
Family Lineages
Discover and document your family’s roots with thorough, evidence-based research. I trace your lineage through verified records, building a clear, accurate family tree that connects generations and preserves your heritage. Perfect for anyone wanting a documented history to share with future generations.
Brick Wall Breakthroughs
When your family history hits a dead end, I specialize in finding the way forward. Using creative strategies, overlooked sources, and modern research tools, I tackle stubborn “brick wall” cases to uncover missing connections and long-lost ancestors.
Oral History Uncovered
Uncover the truth behind family stories and long-held legends. I investigate oral histories by comparing them with historical records, separating fact from fiction — and sometimes discovering an even better story along the way.
German- and Early-American Research
We specialize in German genealogy research, German-American family history, and Early American genealogy, helping clients uncover and document their ancestral roots across centuries and continents.
Testimonials
Kristen helped me unravel the mystery of my maternal great grandfather’s first family in a way that allowed me to explain to myself the motivations and trauma of 3 generations. I feel like I understand where we’re all coming from much better now, and Kristen backed up her finding with evidence contemporary to the time.
On several occasions, Kristen’s extensive knowledge in the genealogy area has helped me locate friends, relatives and even more. For example, I asked Kristen to find relatives of my husband’s late mother. Her parents had died in the 1917 flu epidemic, leaving his two-year old mother in the care of siblings. He had no idea where they were or even their names. Within a day, we had names and addresses. We still communicate with his aunt to this day.