Recently, an eye-opening DNA cousin appeared among my mother’s matches on Ancestry.com. She shares 23 cM with my mother and shares even more DNA with my mother’s sister and brother – 36 cM and 43 cM, respectively. These are not insignificant amounts of shared DNA, giving me confidence that I could potentially determine how she …
Continue reading Building a Genealogical Case with DNA: Samuel Tanner of Texas
In Season 12, Episode 5 of Finding Your Roots, which aired this past Tuesday night on PBS, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explored the ancestry of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul. I was stunned when Chris Paul’s family history revealed the identity of one of his ancestors, Zachariah Clinkscales of Anderson County, South Carolina. …
In 1996, I learned that my mother’s great-grandfather, Edward Danner of Panola County, Mississippi, was a Civil War veteran who served in the 59th Infantry of the United States Colored Troops. Edward was born about 1835 in South Carolina and died on 15 September 1878, leaving behind his widow, Louisa “Lue” Bobo Danner, with ten …
Continue reading Was Matilda—the Ancestor of Appalachian Coal Miners—My Ancestor’s Long-Lost Sister?
Genealogy requires diligence, patience, persistence, strategy, and above all, hope. For many family lines, answers do not appear quickly or easily. They rarely come from a few computer clicks, and they certainly don’t leap off a screen. Instead, the truth reveals itself over time, often after we return to the same puzzles again and again …
Continue reading Never Giving Up: The Power of Persistence in Genealogy
I am incredibly honored, grateful, and humbled for this wonderful book review of From Fragments to Foundation by lecturer, genealogist and blogger, Robyn Smith. She graciously titled it "A Master Class in Genealogy." Robyn shared, “I finished the book in two days, which was a testament to how superb it was: I rarely finish any …
Continue reading Interview & Book Review: A Master Class in Genealogy
CLICK HERE TO ORDER. I’m deeply honored and humbled by this powerful review from Jacqueline Laughlin, and I wanted to share it here on my blog as an expression of heartfelt gratitude. On November 3, 2025, she left me this incredible comment along with a link to her full review. She wrote: “This is truly …
I’m overjoyed to share that my new book, From Fragments to Foundation, is officially available! This project comes straight from my heart, mind, and soul. It’s a seven-generation odyssey that brings history to life through the lens of genealogy, resilience, and discovery. More than just my family’s story, it’s a teachable journey—revealing how to uncover …
Continue reading NOW AVAILABLE: From Fragments to Foundation
GREAT NEWS: This book is now available. Click HERE to order. I have exciting news! I am happy to announce that my new book, From Fragments to Foundation: Uncovering a Buried History of Tragedy and Triumph, will be released in late October. Ordering will be available soon. Stay tuned! Please see book details below for a …
You’ve traced your African American ancestry back to the 1870 U.S. Census, only to hit what genealogists often call the "1870 brick wall." You’ve read books and articles about slavery in America and now face the question: How do I research my family’s history beyond emancipation? How do I identify and document my enslaved ancestors? …
Continue reading Breaking Down that Ugly 1870 Brick Wall: Tracing Your Enslaved Ancestors
I’ve had this poem saved on my computer since 2001. It highlights the vital role of oral history and the importance of interviewing our family elders. Their memories and stories are priceless. Since then, many of my own elders have passed away, but I’m deeply grateful that they shared so much of my family’s history …
Roots Revealed 