Findingdeeproots

04/26/2026

Back to Our Roots This Summer

At Finding Deep Roots, we are always encouraging others to research their family history—but this summer, we’re taking time to do the same for ourselves.

We’ll be taking a brief break during the months of May, June, and July as we focus on researching our own family histories. This time allows us to dig deeper, uncover new connections, attend family gatherings, and continue growing our own forests.

While some events will be on pause, we are still here for you. We will continue responding to posts, messages, and emails, and we look forward to staying connected with our community throughout the summer.

We’ll be back in mid-August, refreshed and ready to continue building with you.

In the meantime—keep researching, keep asking questions, and keep digging.

We can’t wait to see what you discover.

04/19/2026

The Joy of Watching Stories Come to Life

There’s something special that happens in our genealogy workshops—and it never gets old.

We truly love engaging with library patrons as they begin or continue their journey into family history. Whether it’s someone just starting out or a returning participant coming back with new discoveries, every workshop brings moments that remind us why we do this work.

And then it happens…

That pause.
That smile.
That look of surprise.

The “oh wow” moment.
https://findingdeeproots.com/events/

It might be seeing a parent as a child on a census record…
recognizing a familiar name in an unexpected place…
or finally connecting a piece of the family story that once felt out of reach.

Those moments are powerful.

We especially enjoy welcoming back returning clients who share what they’ve uncovered since we last met. Watching their confidence grow and their family trees expand is truly rewarding.

At the same time, there’s nothing like helping new patrons take that very first step—guiding them as they begin discovering just how rich and meaningful their family history can be.

At Finding Deep Roots, we’re not just teaching research—we’re creating experiences, building connections, and helping people uncover the stories that make them who they are. And we look forward to seeing what you discover next.
https://findingdeeproots.com/services/genealogy-workshops/

Because we don’t just build trees…we build forests.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cRquIMwxGxw

04/12/2026

We Build Forests — One Breakthrough at a Time

Genealogy is a journey filled with discovery—but let’s be honest, it can also come with its fair share of frustration.

There will be moments when the records don’t line up. Names change. Dates don’t make sense. Documents seem to disappear. You may hit what feels like a complete stop in your research—a roadblock that makes you question whether you’ll ever find the answers you’re looking for.

But this is where the real work begins.

Every seasoned researcher knows that roadblocks are not the end—they are part of the process. Some breakthroughs happen in a day. Others take weeks, months, or even years. Records are constantly being digitized. Archives open new collections. Information becomes public that wasn’t available before. What you can’t find today may be waiting for you tomorrow.

Sometimes, overcoming a roadblock requires stepping away from the computer. It may mean visiting a courthouse, a local archive, or the very town your ancestors once called home. It may mean asking one more question, calling one more relative, or taking another look at a record, you thought you already understood.

Genealogy is not about perfection—it’s about persistence.

Every piece of information you gather matters. Every name you document, every date you confirm, every story you capture adds another layer to your family’s history. Even the smallest detail can unlock the next step in your journey.

At Finding Deep Roots, we remind our community that we don’t just build family trees—we build forests. Forests take time. They grow slowly, steadily, and with intention. Each branch, each connection, each discovery contributes to something much greater than a single tree.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uIcLoncKxHQ

So, when you feel stuck, don’t stop.

Pause if you need to. Reassess your approach. Try a different path. But keep going.

Because your ancestors are there.
Your story is there.
And your breakthrough may be just one record away.

04/05/2026

The United Nations passed Resolution A/80/L.48 declaring the transatlantic slave trade the “greatest crime against humanity.” This historic vote, supported by over 120 nations, recognizes not only the brutality of the past but its enduring impact on generations today.

04/05/2026

From Census Records to Global Justice

For over twenty years, Shawna and I have been avid genealogy researchers — committed to uncovering the stories, names, and lives of those who came before us.

There is nothing quite like the moment when someone sees their parent as a child on a U.S. Federal Census…
or holds their grandparent’s marriage certificate for the first time…
or discovers their great-grandfather’s WWII draft card.

In those moments, you see it — joy, hope, pride, and connection.
A realization that we come from somewhere… and someone.

But this work is deeper than discovery. It is about truth.

Recent global news reminds us just how important this work truly is. Under the leadership of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, the United Nations passed Resolution A/80/L.48 declaring the transatlantic slave trade the “greatest crime against humanity.” This historic vote, supported by over 120 nations, recognizes not only the brutality of the past but its enduring impact on generations today. Notably, three countries — Argentina, Israel, and the United States — voted against the resolution, while 52 countries abstained.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167199

https://youtu.be/T-WSCrbBTOQ?si=AmjwZENhiljEgnca

This moment is more than symbolic. It affirms what many of us already know through our research — that our ancestors’ lives, labor, and sacrifices shaped the world we live in today.

Every census record… every document… every story uncovered…
is part of a much larger narrative that is finally being acknowledged on a global stage.

At Finding Deep Roots, we don’t just research names.
We restore dignity.
We reconnect families.
We honor truth.

And now, that the world is beginning to recognize just how important that work is, we can’t wait to see what’s next!

03/29/2026

03/29/2026

Andrea, The Woman Who Gave Me My Roots

As we closeout Women’s History Month, I honor the woman who gave me my first understanding of family — my mother, Andrea.

Through her, I learned the importance of connection, tradition, and remembering where we come from. Whether through stories, family gatherings, or quiet moments of reflection, she showed me that our history lives within us.

She may not have called it genealogy, but she was teaching it every day — passing down names, memories, and the values that shaped our family. Those lessons became the foundation of my passion for researching and preserving our family history.

Because of her, I don’t just carry my name, Lisa — I carry a legacy.

At Finding Deep Roots, that same love for family and history continues, helping others uncover the stories that connect generations.

03/22/2026

Rooted in Love: Karen & Shawna

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women who shaped us — starting at home.

For Shawna, her relationship with her mother is the foundation of her passion for family, history, and connection. Through love, guidance, and shared memories, her mother instilled in her the importance of knowing where you come from and honoring those who came before you.

Those early moments — conversations, stories, and time spent together — became the spark that led to a deeper appreciation for family history and ultimately the work we do today at Finding Deep Roots.

It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes our greatest inspiration isn’t found in history books, but in the women who raised us.

03/15/2026

Where Genealogy Begins: With Grandma

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the women who quietly preserved our family history long before genealogy websites and digital archives existed.

For many of us, our grandmothers were our first genealogists. They remembered the names of relatives, the places families came from, and the stories behind family traditions. Around kitchen tables, on front porches, and during family gatherings, they shared the memories that connected generations.

Grandmothers carried the history of migrations, hardships, celebrations, and everyday life. They preserved family recipes, photographs, and stories that might otherwise have been lost. Through their voices, we learned about the ancestors who came before us and the paths they carved for our families.

At Finding Deep Roots, so many genealogy journeys begin with a grandmother’s story. A simple memory shared by an elder can become the key that unlocks historical records, census documents, and deeper discoveries about our lineage.

This Women’s History Month, take time to listen to the grandmothers and elder women in your family. Ask questions. Write down their stories. Their memories are the roots of your family tree.

https://youtu.be/tdNWvIQWz0M

https://youtu.be/Gu_gHD6fmbc

Before the documents, before the archives, and before the research… there was Grandma!

03/08/2026

The Women Who Carried Our Stories

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we take time to honor the women who shaped our families, our communities, and our history.

For generations, women have been the keepers of family stories. They preserved the names of grandparents, the places families migrated from, the traditions that defined holidays, and the memories that connected generations. Long before many records were easily accessible, it was often mothers and grandmothers who held the threads of our family history.

Their resilience carried families through some of the most difficult chapters in American history. Yet through strength, faith, and determination, they built homes, nurtured communities, and created opportunities for the generations that followed.

At Finding Deep Roots, many genealogy journeys begin with the stories of a grandmother, great-grandmother, or aunt. Those memories often become the first clues that lead to historical records, census documents, and family discoveries.

This Women’s History Month, take a moment to sit with the women in your family. Ask questions. Listen closely. Write down their stories. You may find that the key to unlocking your family history has been with them all along.

Because when we honor the women in our families, we honor the roots that made us who we are.
https://youtu.be/zhXgKH6x2b0

03/01/2026

The Month Ends. The Mission Continues.

Black History Month may be coming to a close — but the study of Black history should never end.

This month has been nothing short of powerful. We’ve had the honor of visiting local libraries throughout our community, working alongside patrons eager to uncover lost names, forgotten records, and long-hidden family connections. Each workshop reminded us that Black history lives within our families — in our lineage, our migration stories, our land ownership, our resilience, and our legacy.

It brings us tremendous joy to help reveal these hidden treasures. Watching someone see their ancestor’s name in a census, military record, or property document for the first time is a moment that never gets old.

As we close out February, we encourage you to continue digging, asking questions, interviewing elders, and building your pedigree charts. We look forward to seeing the breakthroughs that come from your ongoing research — and we hope to continue supporting you in future workshops.

Black history is not confined to a month. It is living, breathing, and rooted in our families.

Wishing you clarity, persistence, and joy in your continued research journey.