Findingdeeproots

10/05/2025

Census Records to Legacy: Tracing My Ancestors in Charlottesville, Virginia

This summer, I had the privilege of tracing my family’s roots back through Charlottesville, Virginia. What began with the 1880 U.S. Census led me further into history, reaching as far back as the 1833 Virginia Census. Each record uncovered another layer of resilience and determination within my ancestry.

I discovered Free Persons of Color who bravely fought in the Revolutionary War, family members who worked as paid laborers on Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation, and a remarkable woman who secured 224 acres of land — ensuring that her descendants would inherit not only property, but also a legacy of independence, perseverance and resilience.

This journey has been both humbling and inspiring. It is a reminder that our ancestors were more than names on a page — they were fighters, survivors, builders, and visionaries. I look forward to finding the time to write and share these stories more fully, so their voices and sacrifices are preserved for generations to come.

09/28/2025

Grandparents: Connecting to Our Ancestors

Ancestor — a person from whom you are descended.

Our ancestors are more than names on a chart — they are the foundation of who we are. Their journeys, choices, and sacrifices shaped the lives we live today. That’s why documenting your family history is pivotal — not just for the past, but for future generations.

And no one holds those stories closer than our grandparents. From memories to milestones, they are the living connection between the past and the present. When they speak, they preserve traditions, reveal truths, and help us understand where we come from. They are the first keepers of our lineage.

To help capture these important details, we created Finding Deep Roots: The Workbook — a guided resource designed to help families collect, organize, and document names, stories, and historical data. Whether you’re starting with a conversation or digging through documents, The Workbook helps focus your research and bring structure to your journey.
https://findingdeeproots.com/workbook/

Your ancestors lived. Your grandparents remember. Let’s make sure their stories are never forgotten.

09/21/2025

Ancestors are the Reason to Search, Preserve, and Share

Hello, Shawna here!

I often think about my great-grandmother, Martha. As a child, I would sit at the edge of her bed, listening intently as she shared stories of her childhood—of growing up with her parents and siblings, of the struggles they endured, and the love that carried them through. She would pull out old photographs, each one holding a memory, a face, a story waiting to be told.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XxPPfsUpIuM

Those moments with her are what first sparked my interest in family history and ignited my love for genealogy. I came to realize that our ancestors are not just names on a page; they are living legacies, carried forward through our memories, traditions, and even our dreams.

Without my great-grandmother Martha, I might never have walked this path of discovery. She showed me the power of connection and the importance of honoring those who came before us. For me, she is not just an ancestor—she is the reason I search, preserve, and share.

At Finding Deep Roots, this is what we do every day: transform memories and records into living legacies. Because the stories of our ancestors deserve to be remembered, honored, and passed down for generations to come.

09/14/2025

Genealogy: Beyond Lore, Toward Legacy

Genealogy is more than family lore—it is the method of transforming stories into documented history. Through scientific research, using historical records, genealogy helps us determine which stories passed down through generations hold truth, and which must be abandoned. It is the careful use of birth, marriage, and death certificates, property records, and historical archives to build a path beyond generations, beyond borders, and beyond silence.

This work takes on even greater weight in light of recent news: Harvard University has agreed to release 175-year-old photographs of enslaved individuals once used in research, returning them to descendants and placing them in the International African American Museum thanks to the lawsuit of Tamara Lanier and public outcry. Hear more about the reasons as to why Tamara Lanier continued with the lawsuit.
https://youtu.be/dONE_ALPAzs?si=cU59FBVSv0vaLC5K

These images, once tools of oppression, are now reclaimed as treasures of truth, belonging, and legacy. Please review this article on the PBS website for more details about the historic legal win.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/harvard-ends-legal-battle-over-early-photos-of-enslaved-people-agrees-to-relinquish-images

At Finding Deep Roots, we believe genealogy is about more than discovering names—it is about restoring dignity, reclaiming narratives, and ensuring the stories of our ancestors live on.
https://findingdeeproots.com/genealogy-beyond-lore-toward-legacy/

09/07/2025

Genealogy: Your Family Tree Starts Here

Genealogy is a line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.
It’s not just about names and dates — it’s about preserving the legacy of those who came before you.

Documenting your family history ensures your story isn’t forgotten — it’s honored, shared, and passed on. At Finding Deep Roots, we’re here to help you uncover those stories and turn them into something lasting.

Explore our Genealogy Research Packages designed for every level of your journey:

Debut – includes a consult, 2 hours of expert research, and a detailed report to get you started.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QVkkxPFIXdM

Essential – includes a consult, 5 hours of research, a detailed report, and select historical documents.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IimWsTdvdJQ

Premium – includes a deep dive: consult, 10 hours of research, all supporting documents, a full report, and a GEDCOM file — all saved to a flash drive for your digital records.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ziZWPBPHJNE

No matter where you start, your roots deserve to be explored. Let us help you document your legacy.

08/31/2025

The Heart of Genealogy, To Me

Greetings, it’s Lisa — and today I’d like to share what genealogy means to me. I’m often asked: “Why is it important to research family history?”

For me, genealogy is more than documents and dates. It’s the good times with family, the laughter that fills a reunion, the smell of holiday dishes cooking in the kitchen, and the memories that get passed from one generation to the next. It’s the moments that bind us together and remind us that family is more than a name — it’s a legacy.

Genealogy is about reaching back to understand where we came from and honoring those who came before us — their sacrifices, their struggles, their joys, and the choices they made that shaped the lives we live today. When we uncover their stories, we’re not just building a family tree; we’re breathing life back into the people who made it possible for us to be here.

At Finding Deep Roots, that’s what drives our work. We help families uncover and preserve these stories — the traditions, the resilience, and the legacies — so they are not lost but carried forward. Because family history isn’t just about the past; it’s about understanding who we are, grounding ourselves in that knowledge, and passing it on to future generations.

So, when you ask me why genealogy matters — it matters because it connects us, heals us, and ensures that our family’s story is never forgotten.

08/24/2025

Genealogy, Ancestry & Pedigree — Why We Research

At Finding Deep Roots, our work begins with three core definitions:

Genealogy – A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Opv_0kn_yEs
Ancestor – The people from whom one is descended.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b5BAhIhcbuE
Pedigree – Your lineage, the branches and roots of your family tree.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yOUuMlJnj4w

We research family history to uncover more than just names and dates. We seek out health records that can inform future generations, property records that tell stories of ownership and legacy, occupations that reveal resilience and skill, and historical events that shaped our ancestors’ lives.

Every document, every record, every story connects us more deeply to those who came before — and strengthens the legacy we leave behind. Your family’s history matters, and we’re here to help you discover, preserve, and honor it.

08/17/2025

08/17/2025

Back in Action — with New Roots Revealed

We’re back from summer break — and more inspired than ever.
This season, I returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, to walk the land where my ancestors once lived — just miles from the Monticello Plantation. I uncovered something extraordinary: one of my ancestors was a free person of color who fought in the Revolutionary War. His courage and presence in early American history is a powerful reminder that our stories are deeply woven into the fabric of this country — even when they’ve been left out of the textbooks.
https://www.charlottesville.gov/
https://www.monticello.org/

Meanwhile, Shawna reconnected with family at a reunion in Ironton, Ohio, near the Kentucky border. Gathering with cousins and loved ones, she made invaluable connections and created beautiful new memories — all while continuing the mission of documenting family history. It was a powerful example of how reunions can become research, and how celebration can lead to preservation.
https://irontonohio.org/

At Finding Deep Roots, we believe those hidden histories matter. Whether you’re just starting your journey or pushing through roadblocks, we’re here to help you document, preserve, and honor your family’s legacy.

Because when we research our roots, we don’t just find names — we find strength.

05/25/2025

Finding Deep Roots is on Summer Break!

From now through mid-August, we’ll be taking a summer pause to recharge and prepare for an exciting fall season of research, workshops, and discovery. But don’t worry — you can still connect with us in the meantime!

Visit www.FindingDeepRoots.com to:

Shop our merch or grab your copy of Finding Deep Roots: The Workbook https://findingdeeproots.com/workbook/

Schedule a genealogy workshop or a 30-Minute Consultation https://findingdeeproots.com/services/booking/

Explore our Service Packages to guide your family history journey
https://findingdeeproots.com/services/

We’ll be back this fall with new programs and deeper research to support your roots work. Until then — keep asking questions, keep telling your stories, and most importantly, keep researching to stay connected to the legacy you carry.

Have a safe, joyful summer!
— Lisa & Shawna

05/18/2025

Pope Leo XIV: Passing and the Power of Genealogy

Pope Leo XIV’s heritage has reignited important conversations around identity, race, and the often-hidden narratives within American genealogy. Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, his family lineage traces back to the Creole community of New Orleans. Like many families seeking safety and opportunity in the North, his ancestors made the difficult decision to “pass” as white — a survival strategy rooted in both trauma and resilience.

At Finding Deep Roots, we specialize in uncovering these layered family histories. Through careful genealogical research, we help individuals and families trace their lineage, reclaim lost stories, and connect with their ancestral truths. Whether you’re starting your family tree or exploring deeper branches, we’re here to guide you. And always remember revisiting family history can stir deep emotions, especially for our elders — navigate these sensitive conversations with care and compassion.
https://findingdeeproots.com/navigating-sensitive-conversations-with-family-elders-understanding-the-challenges-of-revisiting-the-past/

Genealogist Chris Smothers explores this powerful legacy in the news segment, Pope Leo XIV’s Family Tree Shows Black Roots in New Orleans.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/pope-leo-xivs-family-tree-shows-black-roots-121652846

05/11/2025

From Then to Now: Fashion as Legacy, Style as Resistance

This year’s MET Gala theme brought Black Dandyism to the forefront — a nod to elegance, defiance, and self-expression rooted in the Black diaspora. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s brilliant book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the spotlight is finally turning toward a legacy that has always been ours.
https://a.co/d/9y4BTsn

But long before the red carpets and couture, our ancestors were the blueprint. Their fashion choices — bold hats, tailored suits, delicate lace, layered textures — weren’t just about style; they were about dignity, identity, and agency in a world that often tried to strip them of both.

As I reflect on today’s trends, I see echoes of their legacy. The high collars, the drama, the grace. It lives on — not just in fabric, but in spirit.

At Finding Deep Roots, we help individuals and families trace their lineage and bring these stories to life. Whether you’re just starting your family tree or looking to go further back in time, we use historical records, research tools, and oral history to uncover the names, places, and lives that shaped you. Every ancestor has a story — and every story deserves to be told.
https://findingdeeproots.com/