The best way to understand how I approach genealogical problems is to see it firsthand. The following reports document my own family research—real cases, real evidence, real conclusions.
Traditional Research Projects
This advanced genealogical report investigates the origins of Elenor “Elen” (Carter) Centers, born circa 1823 in Ohio, through a multi-source evidence framework. With vital records unavailable, the project utilized marriage statutes, courthouse deeds, probate laws, cemetery inscriptions, obituaries, and census reconstruction to piece together her family identity. By applying the FAN club methodology and analyzing migration patterns between Ohio and Missouri, the research demonstrated that James Carter and Polly Waugh were her likely parents. The report highlights the integration of legal analysis, cluster research, and layered indirect evidence to resolve genealogical questions in the absence of birth and death records.
This advanced genealogical report demonstrates the use of indirect evidence and traditional methodologies to resolve the question of Harrison Johnson’s parentage. The project correlated census reconstruction, marriage bonds, migration analysis, and FAN club strategies to evaluate multiple parental candidates. Despite the loss of Hickman County courthouse records, the analysis integrated census age brackets, interrelated family migrations, and a rare 1899 family letter to establish Uriah Johnson and Jane Carrell as the most probable parents. The report showcases sophisticated use of cluster research, evidence correlation, and critical evaluation of authored sources to overcome the absence of direct documentation.
DNA Research Projects
Using DNA to Find Harrison Johnson’s Biological Father
This advanced DNA genealogy report demonstrates the integration of traditional genealogical research with sophisticated genetic analysis to prove paternity. The project used autosomal DNA from 25 test-takers across multiple family lines, network analysis, and statistical correlation to confirm that Uriah Johnson was Harrison Johnson’s biological father. The report showcases complex methodologies including pedigree triangulation, chromosome segment analysis, and Gephi network visualization to overcome the challenge of limited historical records destroyed in an 1865 courthouse fire.