Luminous Family Lineage

01/20/2026

The photos, the documents, the letters, and don't forget about those church programs either!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
One of the biggest rushes I have had as a volunteer genealogist is searching diligently to connect two generations for an applicant of color to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR). Uploaded to Ancestry and attached to a family tree was a transcript of "This Is Your Life" type program at a church which detailed the family connection between the two generations I wanted to connect as well as which of the siblings was in attendance and what they said! A literal genealogical goldmine. Identifying your ancestors' faith communities (if applicable) is a step you should never skip in your research!

01/04/2026

MECBFHRS has been rebranded as Luminous Family Lineage! This has been a long time coming, and I'm so excited to bring this to fruition. Many of you have seen me grow from a fledgling family historian over 15 years ago to the dogged genealogist I am today! I am so grateful for your support and referrals, especially in the face of numerous personal challenges over the years.
For my commitment to transparency, this rebrand also includes increased pricing to be more in line with market rates (while still offering savings over corporations) and updated research package descriptions, which are all available on my updated website https://lflhistory.square.site/
The website rebrand also distinguishes between research services and genealogy products that I offer. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to book my services!
Be well,
Megan

11/12/2025

11/09/2025

10/04/2025

"We are excited to announce a new database for 10 Millions Names, [North America: Records of Enslaved People from Plantations and Estates, 1765-1890](https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/3866/north-america-records-of-enslaved-people-from-plantations-and-estates-1765-1890). This database contains birth, death, marriage, and census records of those who were enslaved at North American Plantations and Estates, as well as their family members. Each volume within this database is of a different plantation or estate. Currently, this database only contains records between the years 1765 and 1890 from the Cedar Grove Plantation in North Carolina, but more volumes will be added as they are completed. [North Carolina: Cedar Grove, 1765-1890](https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/3866/north-america-records-of-enslaved-people-from-plantations-and-estates-1765-1890) contains 600 records and 805 names. This volume includes records from tax lists and inventories, deeds, family papers, the 1870 census, and the [Torrence Family Tree project](https://heartscollaborative.org/torrence-and-allied-families)."

https://dbnews.americanancestors.org/2025/08/28/new-database-north-america-records-of-enslaved-people-from-plantations-and-estates-1765-1890/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9MaJR0HEbMb-BT4Y-RD59J_ZIy8_MxfKVzmNDNTxt4EpmOWSDRmJGpQMTOQ-nOElUQJBdD9JIJdrEQBolyRPU5TdI05vTCimBkY9eNvfvHMIF4b6I&_hsmi=383592585&utm_content=383592585&utm_source=hs_email

Historic plantation house in Huntersville, NC, built in 1831; 2022, Crazyale, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons We are excited to announce a new database for 10 Millions Names, North America: Records of E…

09/26/2025

09/04/2025

GRS Descendants Database
Check out this hidden Gem! You can search everyone in your to see if they have ever appeared on an application for Daughters of the American Revolution. The database is updated within a year of new verified applications and information for living individuals is not accessible. The current version of the database has over 15 million names! It's a great way to locate lesser known records or discover if you may have a ancestor you never knew about. Interested in your own genealogy? https://mecbfhrs.square.site/
Patriots exist in the following ethnic/cultural areas:
African-American (including Black Patriots (free and enslaved) and African-American descent from European Patriots)
Dutch
French (including countries such as Haiti which were under French control during the Revolutionary War period)
French Canadian
German
Jewish
Native American
Polish
Spanish (including the Louisiana Territory and countries such as Cuba which were under Spanish control during the Revolutionary War period)
This content does not represent or express the views of NSDAR, any state society of NSDAR, or any chapter of NSDAR.

09/01/2025

5 Ways to Be An Ally Through Genealogy
1. Do not hide the "uncomfortable" parts of your family history. This information may be vital to helping someone in a marginalized identity piece together their family history. Your ancestors' actions don't reflect poorly on you - hiding that history does.
2. If you are recording family stories, be clear about what can (and what cannot) be verified as the truth. We may grow up hearing some epic stories, but they may not even be close to what researchers can verify. Don't lash out when you read something from another researcher that disproves what you heard.
3. Preserve your family's records and photos. Preserve. Your. Family's. Records. And. Photos. There are resources out there that will only cost you time. You have a phone and there are free places to help with bulk photo digitization. And, professional digital preservation is becoming less and less expensive. This is something that will have an impact far beyond what you can even imagine.
4. If you have the bandwidth, record the names of the enslaved people your family held and who they were sold or transferred to. Again, many people of marginalized identities are trying to piece together their enslaved families migrations and ancestry, and this could be vital for them to learn.
5. Don't forget about your Caucasian ancestors who were identured servants! Again, these names and stories are very important. Lesser known parts of the history of the enslaved include being "bred" with European servants to create enslaved people with lighter skin tones and to continue to perpetuate enslavement once the importation of people as property was no longer allowed.

Free or low-cost resources to start your family tree and preserve your family memories:
1. FamilySearch: https://www.familysearch.org/
2. FamilySearch Centers: https://www.familysearch.org/en/locations/centers/about
3. 10 Million Names: https://10millionnames.org/
4. Newspapers . com: https://www.newspapers.com/ [Low-cost & separate subscription outside of Ancestry]
5. Check prices for DNA tests around every holiday you can think of! There are so many sales. Opt-in to matching with DNA relatives to help folks of color find their ancestors. *Disclaimer: You may find some family secrets by doing this!


The content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of any corporation or organization mentioned.