Welcome!

Hi! I’m Carolynn ní Lochlainn, the person behind Ancestors Alive! Genealogy, From Paper To People Podcast, and The Reparational Genealogy Project. In addition to the podcast and TRGP, I am available for hire to teach or research for clients.

I have an Honors Bachelor’s degree in American History, and a Juris Doctor, both from Indiana University at Bloomington. Over 40 years of experience making my own mistakes and findings, combined with the kind teachings of many fellow researchers, have built my skill set. And, I’ve had bad teachers, so I know how NOT to teach. I adjust to each client’s needs with ease.

I primarily teach beginners using Ancestry and FamilySearch, but I also teach LDS students who only know FamilySearch and who need to learn how to use both sites together. My research has ranged from Anglo-, Irish-, and European-American lineage to my specialty, African-American research. My students and clients seek and work in all of these areas and more.

I research only what my clients need, for as long as they need me. Jobs with a finite scope are just as welcome as those with a large brief.

My pricing is straightforward: $75 an hour per lesson or per hour of research, paid up front in cash or by Zelle or Venmo.

When thinking about hiring someone to teach or research for you, ask yourself these questions:

What are my overall goals in the learning process?
Am I willing to follow direction in order to get the most out of lessons or homework from the teacher/researcher?
Do I understand that I might find unexpected or unpleasant facts in my search, and that they are a part of history that must be recorded, not ignored?
Am I prepared for possible discomfort?

Look for someone who is well established in their teaching experience; one who has experience with a variety of types of research; and one who has performed research for a long period of time. Hire someone who can read and understand multiple languages, as well, to work with international records. In other words, hire me.