Field notes on African American genealogy, ancestral reconnection, heritage, identity, and legacy—grounded in archival research, lived experience, and the questions that emerge when we discover more of where we come from.
Researching beyond 1870, finding enslaved ancestors, interpreting DNA, breaking brick walls, and uncovering the records that tell your family's story.
Connecting research to place through heritage travel, West Africa, cultural experiences, and reflections on what it means to encounter the places connected to your ancestry.
Exploring what ancestry means beyond names and dates—the connections between family history, identity, belonging, memory, and ancestral reconnection.
Preserving photographs, documents, oral histories, and digital memories—and creating a family archive future generations can inherit.
A family tree organizes names and relationships. What are we really seeking when we research our ancestors, and what do we do with what we learn?...
28 September, 2026 Identity & Reconnection
If you have been researching your African American family for any length of time, you have probably heard about the 1870 brick wall. You find your family in the 1900 census. Then 1880. Then, if you are fortunate, there they are in 1870. And then......
26 September, 2026 African American Genealogy
In today’s digital age, uncovering your family history has never been easier, thanks to innovative tools like ChatGPT. This advanced AI model, developed by OpenAI, offers a wealth of possibilities for genealogy enthusiasts seeking to delve into their ancestry and discover hidden connections. In this......
01 April, 2024 African American Genealogy
Embarking on the journey to uncover African ancestry through archival records is a profound endeavor, laden with both challenges and opportunities. For descendants seeking to trace the footsteps of their enslaved forebears, archival research represents a pivotal pathway to reclaiming lost narratives and honoring ancestral......
25 February, 2024 African American GenealogyAll engagements begin with a Discovery Call. We'll talk through your research goals, family history, and what's already been found — so I can recommend the right path forward.
$50
60 minutes. Required before any other service. We'll map your research goals and I'll tell you exactly what's possible.
$100
60 minutes. Strategy session, DNA interpretation, brick wall analysis, or citizenship documentation review.
$500
Five sessions over 12 months. Ongoing research partnership.
$575
Proof of enslaved ancestors. Requires AncestryDNA. Covers 3–5 generations. Takes 3–6 months. For reparations, ADOS documentation, and citizenship applications.
$300
~3,000 items scanned, organized, and delivered in a searchable digital archive.
$700
~3,000 items. Digitization plus a curated family history narrative — a complete archive to pass down.
Questions before booking? Send me a message — I respond personally within 2–3 business days.
