Findingdeeproots

Findingdeeproots Finding Deep Roots specializes in researching, documenting, and sharing genealogical information.

11/09/2025

Why The Workbook Is Key

Genealogy can feel overwhelming — especially when you don’t know where to begin. You may have handwritten notes scattered across notebooks, half-remembered family stories, names without dates, and documents buried in drawers or lost online. There are gaps, conflicting details, and moments when you feel stuck — like you’re reading a book with missing chapters.

That’s exactly why we created Finding Deep Roots: The Workbook — to take the frustration out of the process.
https://findingdeeproots.com/workbook/

It helps you start with what you do know — yourself — and build from there.
With structured pages to interview elders, track down historical records, and map your family tree, it turns chaos into clarity. All your findings, all in one place.

Because our ancestors didn’t just leave memories — they left a legacy we’re still learning. And now, you have the tool to help uncover it.

11/02/2025

The Beginning of The Workbook

Two years ago, we launched Finding Deep Roots: The Workbook — a tool designed to help families organize, document, and preserve their history. Since then, it’s helped people across the country trace their roots, start conversations with elders, and bring generations together.
https://findingdeeproots.com/workbook/

We hear it all the time: “If I only had this tool when I first started…”
That’s why we created it — to make your journey easier, more focused, and more fulfilling from the very beginning.

If you haven’t started your journey yet, this is your sign. Your legacy begins here!

10/26/2025

Pedigree: Make the Connections

Pedigree charts don’t always connect perfectly. Some branches end abruptly; others have missing names or uncertain links — gaps that can feel discouraging. But don’t allow those spaces to impede your forward progress.
https://findingdeeproots.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-Generation-Pedigree-Chart_Workbook.pdf

Genealogy is not about perfection — it’s about persistence. Every record you uncover, every interview you conduct, and every clue you document moves your family story closer to completion. Over time, those missing pieces may surface through newly released public records, DNA matches, or forgotten family documents tucked away in an attic.

Continue to research, collect data, and record what you find — even the smallest detail can make a difference. Your pedigree is a living document, one that grows as you grow in knowledge.

At Finding Deep Roots, we believe every generation adds another layer to the story. Don’t let the gaps discourage you — let them inspire you to dig deeper. The reward isn’t just in the answers you find, but in the journey of discovery itself.

Pedigree: Caution, Roadblocks AheadPedigree is your ancestral line — your lineage, your legacy. It’s the path that conne...
10/19/2025

Pedigree: Caution, Roadblocks Ahead

Pedigree is your ancestral line — your lineage, your legacy. It’s the path that connects you to those who came before, generation by generation.
https://findingdeeproots.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-Generation-Pedigree-Chart_Workbook.pdf

But tracing that path isn’t always simple. Every researcher encounters roadblocks — missing records, name changes, or documents lost to time. Some challenges take days to overcome, while others may take years until information becomes public or newly digitized.

That’s why persistence matters. Sometimes, you have to go beyond the screen — visiting courthouses, archives, or the very towns your ancestors once called home. Standing where they stood often brings breakthroughs that no online record ever could.

At Finding Deep Roots, we know the journey of building your pedigree takes patience, dedication, and heart. Each discovery, big or small, brings you one step closer to reclaiming your family’s story — and that’s a legacy worth fighting for.

10/12/2025

Pedigree Takes Patience for Roots that Run Deep

Pedigree is your ancestral line — your lineage, your legacy.
https://findingdeeproots.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-Generation-Pedigree-Chart_Workbook.pdf

But building a pedigree chart isn’t always easy. There may be gaps, missing names, or documents that seem just out of reach. The road can be long and full of roadblocks — especially for those researching African American ancestry.

Every breakthrough is worth it. Every name recovered is a story reclaimed. Every generation added is a tribute to those who came before.

At Finding Deep Roots, we help guide that journey — especially when you feel stuck. We offer a FREE, one-time 30-minute consultation to help you identify your roadblocks and strategize your next steps.
https://findingdeeproots.com/services/booking/

Because every family deserves to trace their lineage with clarity, pride, and support.

Census Records to Legacy: Tracing My Ancestors in Charlottesville, VirginiaThis summer, I had the privilege of tracing m...
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.

Grandparents: Connecting to Our AncestorsAncestor — a person from whom you are descended.Our ancestors are more than nam...
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.

Ancestors are the Reason to Search, Preserve, and ShareHello, Shawna here!I often think about my great-grandmother, Mart...
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.

Genealogy: Beyond Lore, Toward LegacyGenealogy is more than family lore—it is the method of transforming stories into do...
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/

Genealogy: Your Family Tree Starts HereGenealogy is a line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.It’s not just...
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.

Genealogy, Ancestry & Pedigree — Why We ResearchAt Finding Deep Roots, our work begins with three core definitions:Genea...
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.

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Pittsburgh, PA
15214

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 9pm
Tuesday 5pm - 9pm
Wednesday 5pm - 9pm
Thursday 5pm - 9pm
Friday 5pm - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+14123533381

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