The search for my paternal ancestral history came about out of medical curiosity. I thought that looking into the past would help me to better understand what was happening here in the present. When Tanya agreed to help me find info on my father’s siblings and my grandparents, I was relieved to know that I could possibly find answers regarding their health that would help me to understand my own. I have to say that I was not prepared for the in-depth research that Tanya provided me. It is taking me time to truly understand the gravity of all of the information she provided to me. There was so much information so many ancestors that I would never have known anything about without her help.

I was gifted an Ancestry DNA test and received the results a few weeks later. I had no experience in organizing a genealogical search, as it seems quite overwhelming. Tanya helped me organize every match and together we identified each branch possibility on the tree. She used DNA Painter to explain the centimorgan complexities and to further map out relatives. Aside from Tanya’s vast knowledge, it was her determination to move ahead past any obstacles. She was very supportive when emotions got the best of me. We found my Bio parents, within 4 months- a full sister, and half siblings and close relatives. I never in my life would imagine attempting a search without Tanya. Her guidance and knowledge of genealogy and the steps to build a family tree were the keys to our success.  Her professionalism, determination, and perseverance, are the key to anyone’s ancestry search.

I had been following Tanya for a while on Facebook and did not hesitate to sign up for the class once it was announced. I am so glad I did. Her wealth of knowledge and desire to help were undeniable. 
She did not just talk about the theory of genealogy but gave us concrete steps to take and tools to use in our research. I was amazed at how much I learned in just a few hours, and I immediately put those lessons to use in my own research. The class was fun and engaging, which made the time fly.

I needed to know the names of my paternal grandparents and their links to other families that are connected to us. My great grandfather, Daniel McPherson who was a slave and my grandfather was married twice who had no children with the first wife. Tanya discovered that we are connected to the McDonald Family which shows that we are interrelated with folks of which I had no idea that we were so closely related.

I have known Tanya Foreman for over 20 years and had no doubt her work would be excellent. What I was not expecting was the stellar results I received. I volunteered when she asked if anyone would be interested in finding out more information about their ancestry. My father’s side of the family had been somewhat of a mystery to me for years and this was my opportunity to find out anything at all. I did not have high expectations that information was available but Tanya was able to uncover such in-depth information about not only my father’s side of the family but some of my mother’s as well. I shared her research with my aunt, brother, and several cousins. I am eternally grateful to Tanya who has helped me unlock this mystery for my family. It feels wonderful to have such a connection now to my family history.