About Twisted Twigs Genealogy

What started as a childhood curiosity has grown into a lifelong passion -and a profession.

At age 11, I discovered an error on my Grandma Jayne’s framed Mayflower family tree. Tasked (somewhat reluctantly!) with researching my 10th great-grandfather, Edward Winslow, I uncovered a surprise: he wasn’t my direct ancestor after all, but my great-granduncle. His brother, Kenelm Winslow, held that place in my family line. That moment sparked something that never faded—a deep fascination with family history that continues to shape my life and work today.

Experience & Specialties

I’ve been working with genealogy clients since 2005, with a focus on Michigan and Ontario/Quebec, Canada research. While I regularly conduct research across the United States, Canada, and Europe, my strongest expertise lies in regions my own family has called home for generations.

My roots run deep in Detroit, where my family has lived for seven generations—each with at least one dedicated family historian. I’m also proud of my Canadian connections, shaped by summers spent at our family cottage in Ontario with my grandmother, continuing a tradition that began in 1921.

Archival Research & Record Retrieval

In 2014, a single client request for a Civil War pension file changed the trajectory of my business. Rather than wait months for processing, I traveled directly to the National Archives - delivering results in just one day. That experience led to the creation of Twisted Twigs’ Record Retrieval Services.

Today, I provide on-site archival research at:

  • The National Archives (Washington, D.C.)

  • The National Archives (College Park, MD.)

  • The National Archives & The National Personnel Records Center (St. Louis, MO)

Since 2015, Twisted Twigs has:

  • Retrieved 10,000+ military pension files

  • Collected 8,000+ service records

  • Completed 1,500+ WWI & WWII Army/Air Force OMPF mini reconstructions

My mission is simple: to provide reliable, efficient, and reasonably priced access to records... without the long wait times or inflated fees.

Community & Connection

Twisted Twigs Genealogy isn’t just a business... it’s a community.

The Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches Genealogy Facebook page began in 2012 as a creative outlet during a frustrating research “brick wall.” (If you’ve ever chased English Clarks, you understand!) Since then, it has grown into a vibrant space filled with thousands of genealogy memes, shared stories, and connections with fellow researchers around the world.

Meeting others in the genealogy community is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. Whether it’s a kind message, a shared laugh, or an enthusiastic meet-up at an event, these connections remind me why this work matters.

A Lifelong Passion

I’ve spent 35 of my 46 years researching family history... and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Genealogy isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am.