Discovering answers to your family history questions
What I do
I conduct research for my clients to answer their family history questions and help them pass on that knowledge to those they love.
These could be questions of identity - Who were the parents of my great-grandma Elizabeth?
Or of actions - My grandfather served during World War II. Where did he serve, and in which unit?
Or questions about DNA - Who was my birth father? or What should I do with all these DNA matches from my test kit?
My services
After your free consultation, I'll estimate how much time your project will take. Contact me for my hourly rate.
You will receive a report of my findings, as well as image copies of any supporting documents. If you're interested in an archive-quality presentation, such as a hard-cover book, that can be arranged for an additional fee.
My work is always 100% confidential. Your name and data will never be shared without your express permission.
My areas of specialty include:
Illinois, especially Cook County and Chicago
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Prussia/Germany
Scotland
Additional services may include:
*problem-solving for your tough family history
challenges
*creating a research plan for you to do your own
family history research
*helping you understand your DNA test results
*document pulls from Olmsted county, as well as
the neighboring Minnesota counties of Winona,
Fillmore, Mower, Dodge, Goodhue and Wabasha.
About Me
Melissa Dalley
It all started with a cookbook. A pair of them, actually. Mennonite Foods and Folkways, volumes 1 & 2 by Norma Jost Voth. They're as much about my people's history, cultural customs, and stories as they are about recipes. I read them cover to cover and was hooked. My search for my family's history began in 2009 and continues to this day.
I was a professional musician in my first career, and I bring with me to genealogy integrity, attention to detail, accuracy, persistence, and passion. I have been running a small business for many years and work diligently to keep my clients happy.
education
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh
Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
ProGen 53 graduate
NGSQ study group facilitator
Certification Discussion Group
Memberships
I am a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and follow the code of ethics they have established. You can read that code here.
I am also a member of the National Genealogical Society and many local and regional genealogy societies.