Budget Genealogy, LLC

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

🔎 Before We Begin the Search, We Begin With Your Story.

Have you ever wondered what a professional genealogist does before the research begins?

At Budget Genealogy, every research project begins with a Professional Genealogy Intake & Assessment.

This important first step gives us the opportunity to:

📜 Discuss your research goals and the questions you want answered
🌳 Review your existing family tree and what you've already discovered
📂 Examine the records and information you've gathered
🔎 Evaluate the clues and evidence already available
🧩 Identify potential research challenges or roadblocks
🗺️ Determine the most effective direction for your research
📋 Establish the scope of your project and recommend the services that best fit your goals

This isn't simply a conversation about what you'd like to find. It's the professional groundwork that helps ensure your research begins with a clear question, a focused strategy, and a realistic plan.

Because every family history is different, taking the time to understand where you've been—and where the evidence may lead us next—can make all the difference.

Ready to take the next step in discovering your family's story?

📩 Contact Budget Genealogy to learn more about our Intake & Assessment process and receive pricing information.

Let's start with the right questions and see where your family story leads.

Budget Genealogy
Tracing Lines at an Affordable Price™

08/26/2026

🎉 ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT! 🎉
26% OFF Budget Genealogy Packages through August 31!

Seven years ago, I transformed Tree of Life into Budget Genealogy, with a mission to make professional genealogy research more accessible and affordable. 🌿🔎

Today, with 21+ years of experience and 100+ genealogy cases completed, I’m incredibly grateful to help families uncover ancestors, solve mysteries, explore DNA connections, and preserve their stories.

This past year brought exciting milestones, including becoming an LLC and an accredited local business! 🎉

Whether you're researching a family tree, unknown ancestor, immigrant roots, DNA connections, or your family's story, I’m here to follow the records, connect the clues, and uncover what’s hidden between the lines.

⏰ Only 5 days remain!
📩 DM or call to take advantage of 26% OFF before August 31!

Budget Genealogy, LLC
Tracing Lines at an Affordable Price.

08/26/2026

🔎 Looking for a Genealogy Chart Designer

I’m looking for recommendations from my genealogy community!

A client has inquired about having a professional, custom pedigree/family tree chart created for as many as 9–10 generations. This is a specialized service that I don’t currently offer, so I’d love to refer them to someone who does.

I’m specifically looking for someone who can create beautiful, professional-quality custom pedigree charts, potentially accommodating a large number of generations while still being readable and visually appealing.

If you offer this service—or know a genealogist, designer, or company that specializes in custom genealogy charts—please drop their name, website, or contact information in the comments.

Bonus points if you have personally used their services and can recommend their work!

Thank you! 🌳📜

08/23/2026

📢 Budget Genealogy, LLC Office Update

I will be away from the office until September 1. During this time, I will have limited availability and will review and respond to all emails and messages after my return.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding! I look forward to connecting with you soon and continuing to help you uncover your family history. 🧬🌳

Budget Genealogy, LLC
Tracing Lines at an Affordable Price

08/19/2026

🎉 Celebrating Anniversary Season at Budget Genealogy! 🎉

Back in July & August of 2019, I transformed my genealogy business, once known as Tree of Life, into Budget Genealogy with a renewed mission: to make professional genealogy research more accessible and affordable to individuals and families.

Seven years later, I’m incredibly grateful to see how far this journey has come. 🌿🔎

With 21+ years of genealogy research experience, I have worked on and completed more than 100 genealogy cases, helping individuals and families uncover ancestors, solve family mysteries, connect generations, and preserve their stories.

And this past year has brought some exciting milestones for Budget Genealogy! 🎉

Budget Genealogy officially grew into an LLC and became an accredited local business, marking another important step forward for this small business and the work I love doing.

My research experience extends throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, and beyond, including research in France, Ireland, Spain, Poland, Germany, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other countries.

Although I research nationally and internationally, I also bring a valuable local focus to the areas I know firsthand. I’m currently based in Illinois and have previously lived in Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, giving me personal familiarity with these regions and their records, communities, and history.

Whether you're:

🌳 Building or untangling a family tree
🔎 Solving a family mystery
🧬 Exploring your DNA connections
📜 Searching for an unknown ancestor
🏠 Researching a family home or community
🌎 Tracing immigrant or international roots
📚 Preserving your family's history for future generations

I’m here to follow the records, connect the clues, and uncover the stories hidden between the lines. 🔎

DM or call to learn more and let’s uncover your family’s story together!

Photo Credit: Marcy Baez Lopez, Redeeming Time Studios , Location: Industrial Treasures, St. Charles, Illinois
AI Assistance: ChatGPT

08/17/2026

🔎 When a Genealogy Case Takes an Unexpected Turn

Last week’s casework reminded me why genealogy research often requires looking beyond the obvious records.

I was working on a difficult family-history case involving a missing ancestor, two brothers, and unanswered questions surrounding their childhood.

The research began with a death certificate providing a possible birthplace and the reported birthplaces of the parents.

I searched New Jersey and New York records, reviewed state census records, compared multiple families with the same surname, eliminated families that initially looked promising, and followed additional connections.

Then I found a compelling lead.

A family emerged in the right time period and geographic region, with a father who could potentially fit the missing ancestor. His wife was born in Ireland, and their family experienced a heartbreaking series of losses:

📜 1883 — A baby boy was born and died, carrying the same name later given to the client’s ancestor.

📜 1884 — Another baby boy was born and died only days later.

📜 1884 — Their young mother died only months later.

And then comes the question that could change everything:

What happened to the father?

Years later, the two brothers we are trying to understand were placed by the State in the Illinois Manual Training Institute in Bloom Township, Cook County.

My focus is on reconstructing how these boys went from their family of origin to State custody and ultimately this training institution.

Was their father still alive?
Had he died or disappeared?
Were the boys living with relatives?
Did poverty, abandonment, illness, or another circumstance play a role?

And most importantly:

Who had custody of these boys immediately before the State became involved?

Sometimes a genealogy “brick wall” isn't one missing record.

It’s a missing story.

This is the kind of genealogy detective work I do—following the records, connecting the clues, and uncovering the stories hidden between the lines. 🔎

Do you have a family mystery of your own?

I’d love to connect, follow the clues with you, and help uncover your family’s story.

08/13/2026

💳 Did you know Budget Genealogy offers payment plans?

Genealogy research can be a meaningful investment, but you don't always have to pay for your entire project upfront.

Payment plans are available for qualifying research projects, allowing you to spread your payments out while we work on uncovering your family's story.

Whether you're trying to solve a family mystery, break through a brick wall, uncover your biological family, or research your ancestral lines, let's talk about what works for you.

📩 Interested in starting your research but need payment flexibility? Send me a message.

Budget Genealogy, LLC
Tracing Lines at an Affordable Price.

Image Credit: Pixabay neelam279

08/12/2026

🔎 STUCK ON A GENEALOGY MYSTERY?

You've searched Ancestry.
You've searched FamilySearch.
You've found the records you can find.
And you're still stuck.

That’s where I can help.

Budget Genealogy’s Genealogy Project Assessment is designed to help you understand why you're stuck and where your research can go from here.

For $100, I’ll evaluate your research problem, identify promising research paths, and give you a clear direction for your next steps.

✨ And your $100 assessment fee can be applied toward your research project.

📩 Ready to get unstuck? Send me a message and tell me about your genealogy mystery.

Budget Genealogy, LLC
Tracing Lines at an Affordable Price.