One Family History Question
$100
One person, date, place, or family mystery, with up to 3 hours of research
- I search the records most likely to help
- A list of records and websites I checked
- An easy-to-read summary and next steps
Personal family history research
Every family has a story worth finding.
Choose the help you need, from one family question to an Ancestry family tree built from scratch with records attached whenever available.
Compare packages Packages from $95 clear prices and a simple list of what is included
Researching since 2002 Every finding personally reviewed Privacy-minded process
Your research path
- 01Choose the right packageAsk one question, build a tree, review DNA matches, or create a keepsake.
- 02Share what you knowThe request form guides you through the helpful details one step at a time.
- 03I review and beginAccess is shared by invitation. Passwords are never requested.
Evidence first
Choose your research path
Clear packages for different family-history needs.
Each package explains how much research time is included and what you will receive. You are paying for my time and work, so I cannot promise a certain number of new discoveries.
Ancestry Family Tree Build
$250
One person, their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents
- Built inside the Ancestry tree you own
- Supporting records attached when available
- A summary of findings and unanswered questions
Tree Review & Cleanup
$150
I will check up to 25 people in your existing tree
- Check for duplicate people and details that disagree
- Find names, dates, and relationships that need better proof
- A step-by-step list of corrections
DNA Match Review
$175
One tester’s matches, up to 4 hours
- I organize matches into likely family groups
- I compare matches with trees and historical records
- I explain possible relationships and how certain they are
Family Tree Poster Design
$95
$95 includes a high-resolution digital file; printing and shipping cost extra
- Professionally designed by a graphic designer
- A high-resolution PDF you can print
- One round of changes included
Family History Book Design
From $395
Up to 20 pages using family information and research you already have
- Up to 20 professionally designed pages
- Photos, records, maps, timelines, and family trees
- New research, printing, and shipping cost extra
Searching for a living relative?
Safety hold
I am not accepting requests to find or contact living people at this time. I can still help with historical family research and DNA-match organization, as long as the goal is not to identify or locate a living person.
For safety, I never share anyone’s current address, workplace, private phone number, or other private contact information.
For Ancestry and other online trees, you keep ownership of your account. Invite me through the website’s sharing controls. Never send a login password.
Examples of what you can receive
See what your family history can become.
These sample images show how your finished book, online tree, DNA report, or family tree poster may look.
Illustrative sampleFamily History Book Design
Custom family history book
An heirloom-style book combining family stories, records, photographs, timelines, maps, and source-based research.
View this package
Illustrative sampleAncestry Family Tree Build
Sourced online family tree
An organized direct-ancestor tree with relationships, dates, places, and attached source records.
View this package
Illustrative sampleDNA Match Review
DNA match findings
Match groups, shared-family clues, confidence notes, and recommended records to investigate next.
View this package
Illustrative sampleFamily Tree Poster Design
Custom family tree keepsake
A professionally designed, print-ready family tree made for framing, gifting, or a family reunion.
View this packageThese are examples, not real client projects. All names and details are made up to protect privacy. Your project will be based on the package you choose and the records available for your family.
Packages from $95Each package clearly explains the work and what you will receive.
A timeline before I beginI review the details and let you know what to expect before starting.
Careful research, clearly explainedI compare names, dates, places, and records, then explain what is confirmed, what is possible, and what still needs more research.
researching
About your researcher
Hi, I’m Melissa.
I began researching family history in 2002 when I took over my grandfather’s lifelong genealogy work. Since then, I have built family trees for friends and relatives, worked through difficult family lines, contributed cemetery information and census transcriptions, and helped locate biological parents after decades of searching.
As a graphic designer with more than 20 years of experience, I can also turn verified family information into polished family tree prints and custom family history books that are ready to display, share, or give as meaningful gifts.
I use sources such as Ancestry, FamilySearch, Find a Grave, Newspapers.com, census records, birth, marriage, and death records, obituaries, cemeteries, and historical archives. I explain what the records confirm, what seems possible, and what still needs more research.
View my LinkedIn profileCommon questions
Know what to expect before you begin.
Which package should I choose?
Choose One Family History Question for one specific mystery. Choose Ancestry Family Tree Build when you want a new tree made for you. Choose Tree Review & Cleanup when you already have a tree that may contain mistakes. Choose DNA Match Review when you need help understanding your matches. Choose Family Tree Poster Design for a printable wall display. Choose Family History Book Design for a custom book layout. If you are unsure, choose the closest option and explain your goal in the form.
Can you create and print a family history book?
Yes. Custom book design starts at $395 for up to 20 pages using family information and research you already have. New research, extra pages, extensive writing or photo restoration, printing, binding, extra copies, and shipping cost extra. You approve the design preview before printing begins.
When do I pay?
After you submit the request form, you will see PayPal and Cash App links. For fixed-price packages, you may pay then to reserve your project. I review every request before starting. If I cannot accept it, I return the payment. Once I accept the project and begin work, the payment is nonrefundable.
Do you guarantee a certain number of findings?
No. You are paying for the research time and work listed in your package, not a guaranteed discovery. Some records were never created, were lost, or are not available online. Even if I find little new information, I will complete the included work and tell you what I searched, what I found, and what could not be confirmed.
What is the refund policy?
Once I confirm acceptance and begin the agreed work, payments are final and nonrefundable because the fee covers my research time, record review, written notes, and everything listed in your package, even when records are limited or the question cannot be answered. If I decline the request before accepting it, the payment is returned, subject to the Terms of Service and any rights required by law.
Do I give you my Ancestry or DNA password?
No. You create and control your own account. If tree or DNA access is needed, I will explain how to invite me using that website’s sharing settings. Never send your password or the downloadable raw DNA data file from your testing company through this website.
Do you identify or locate living people?
No. I am not accepting requests to find, identify, or contact living people. I also never provide a person’s current address, workplace, private phone number, or other private contact information.
Ready when you are
Start with what you know.
The next page walks you through your family information one step at a time. After you submit it, fixed-price packages show PayPal and Cash App payment links.