About Us

Who Are We and Why We Do This

As a best-selling author, I fell in love with the world of ancestry, genealogy, and DNA while researching for my novels. Many of my best-selling books feature these elements, and through my work, I gained an in-depth knowledge base that combines technical expertise with personal stories gathered from interviews. Exploring the intersections of family, history, and identity became a passion that extended beyond the page.

This passion took on a new, deeply personal meaning when we celebrated my mother-in-law's 80th birthday in 2014. She was a woman who had everything she needed and was notoriously hard to buy gifts for. We wanted to give her something truly meaningful, something that could never be replaced. The idea of presenting her with the heritage and lineage of her family felt like the perfect gift.

However, when we searched for someone to help create this, we couldn't find an expert who presented ancestry as a gift—a synthesized, beautifully curated version of her family story complete with highlights, documents, and pictures. Determined to give her something extraordinary, I took on the task myself.

For her birthday, we presented a two-hour "This Is Your Life"-style family history presentation. It was life-altering. Seeing her family story come to life changed how she felt about herself, her family, and her connection to the world. She was battling cancer at the time, and this gift lifted her in ways no store-bought present ever could. It was a transformative experience that underscored the power of knowing where we come from.

That experience inspired me to bring this offering to others. Through Gift Your Roots, I strive to make genealogy not only accessible but also a joy to explore and share. By turning ancestry into a beautifully crafted gift (for yourself or others), we help  connect with heritage in meaningful, unforgettable ways.