Start your family history with what you already have
Turn family papers, memories, and a single question into a manageable first research project.
2 min readThere is more to a name
than a place on a tree.
Discover the people, places, and stories behind your family history—with a research project shaped around your questions.
Research with a story in mind.
Annette offers personalized genealogy research, drawing on her background in historical research and her work as a published author. Projects can range from a family tree to a written account of your family and its roots.
Begin with the person or question that interests you. Together, you can discuss the scope, available starting information, and a format that fits your needs.
Discuss a family-history project ↗
Start at your own pace
Explore the tools ↗
Build your research habits.
How to turn a family mystery into a research question
Define the person, place, time, and uncertainty before you begin another broad search.
2 min readRead a census record beyond the name search result
Examine the full record, compare household details, and preserve the source before drawing a conclusion.
2 min readWhat to do when family records disagree about a date
Compare conflicting information without erasing uncertainty or choosing the answer you hoped to find.
2 min readSearch surname variations without losing track of the person
Build a controlled list of spelling possibilities and test each candidate against more than a name.
2 min readWrite source notes your future self can follow
Capture what you consulted, where it came from, and which claim it supports without waiting for a perfect citation format.
2 min readOrganize family photographs without separating them from their stories
Create a practical photo inventory, preserve uncertain identifications, and link digital copies to their originals.
2 min readA genealogy research log that records more than discoveries
Use the free research-log tool to track searches, results, sources, and next steps, then download your work.
2 min readBuild a family-history timeline without hiding uncertain dates
Arrange documented events chronologically with a free timeline tool that keeps dates, confidence, and sources visible.
2 min readPlan a family-history interview with better questions
Build and download a gentle interview outline with prompts about places, routines, turning points, and family memories.
2 min read
Let’s begin with a conversation
A family question.
Tell me about your project
A family question.
A manuscript. A new chapter.
Tell Annette what you’re working on and the kind of help you have in mind.