Rooted with Collette

As a professional genealogist and educator with more than 25 years of experience researching family history, I help individuals and families uncover accurate, well-documented stories about their ancestors through careful research and sound genealogical methods. My interest in genealogy began in the late 1990s during a college course in genetics and DNA. That class sparked a lifelong interest in understanding how historical records and DNA evidence work together to tell a family's story. Over the years, I have documented multiple family lines back to the 1600s and continue to strengthen my research skills through ongoing study and hands-on experience. In addition to traditional record research, I work with DNA results to help individuals better understand their family connections. I assist clients in interpreting DNA matches and building research plans based on genetic clues. I also work with individuals navigating adoption research and unknown parentage cases, approaching each situation with care, discretion, and respect. With a background in education, I bring patience and clarity to every project. I specialize in helping beginners build strong research foundations and guiding researchers who feel stuck toward reliable, well-documented conclusions.