Welcome to Rivers of Ancestry
Where your family's past becomes a story your grandchildren will treasure.
At Rivers of Ancestry, we believe your family’s history isn’t just something to be traced, it’s something to be told. Beautifully. Lovingly. And sometimes, with a wink and a smile.
Because names on a family tree are just the riverbeds. The real story is what’s been flowing over them, ultimately merging to form the generations.
Why Rivers of Ancestry Exists
The usual term for a family social history is “Family Tree”. We call it a “Family River” because, unlike a neat little tree, families rarely follow a straight line. They twist, turn, flood, and sometimes even backtrack - like a river with a mind of its own. Plus, rivers come with rapids, detours, and the occasional family drama splash, which feels way more accurate. Let’s be honest, your ancestors weren’t just quietly hanging out on branches - they were navigating a wild, unpredictable ride. And that’s way more fun to imagine!
You’ve probably heard bits and pieces about your ancestors:
– A great-grandfather who fought in a war
– A grandmother who baked without recipes
– Someone who “came from somewhere up north; or was it Ireland?”
But here’s the thing: unless those stories are written down, they’ll disappear. Just like that.
Most genealogy tools give you facts. Some offer riverbeds themselves. But few give you what matters most - a narrative that brings your ancestors to life, in a way your kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids will actually want to read.
What We Do
At Rivers of Ancestry, we take a single ancestral line - often one that’s been overlooked or half-remembered - and build it into a flowing, vivid, and often surprisingly entertaining story.
You’ll receive a custom-written document that might include:
• Historical context (what life was like then)
• Research into births, marriages, deaths, occupations, and migrations
• Real records interpreted with warmth and wit
• Photographs or maps (when available)
And best of all: the personality behind the paper trail
“Your ancestor wasn’t just a coal miner. He was the man who accidentally flooded a tunnel and still made it home for stew.”
Who We Serve
Our stories are for anyone who feels a pull toward the past and wants to keep it alive for the future.
• Children of aging parents who want to preserve memories
• Grandparents who want to give their family a legacy
• Genealogy hobbyists with a spreadsheet and no story
• People grieving the recent loss of a family member
• Gift-givers looking for something truly personal
What You’ll Receive - Each Rivers of Ancestry project includes:
In-depth research into ancestral generations (you choose)
A fully written, carefully structured story using available factual evidence.
Designed for digital reading or professional printing
Optional upgrades: printed booklets, audio narration, or visual family rivers
This is not a clinical report or a dry archive. It’s a keepsake - a storybook of your past, written for your family’s future.
Why We’re Different
Rivers of Ancestry isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about telling stories. Other services that can be explored to assist with the stories:
• DNA results analysis
• Historical documents with no explanation
• Genealogy reports with no soul
We give you:
• Research you can understand
• History you can feel
• Stories you’ll actually want to read aloud
We combine the diligence of a logical thinker, the curiosity of a detective, and the voice of a storyteller; sometimes serious, sometimes playful, always personal.
Because your family didn’t just exist. They lived.
Start the Journey
Ready to wade into your family’s river?
Use the contact form below so we can reach out and discover who you are, what you’d like to explore, and who this story is for. We’ll get in touch for a no-pressure conversation and help you decide the best way to begin.
I asked Rivers of Ancestry to look into my family tree expecting to get a simple framework with which to go further. I got much more than that - a story, a chronology and a vision of my ancestors in their daily lives. My kids were awestruck and had so many questions. Thank you so much.
Rivers of Ancestry transformed my family’s scattered records into a vivid, living story. For the first time, I could truly imagine the lives, struggles, and triumphs of my ancestors. It’s a gift my whole family will cherish for generations
Rivers of Ancestry is a truly exceptional service, combining meticulous research with clear, engaging storytelling. The final family history is beautifully detailed, allowing readers to explore their ancestral roots in depth. It often sparks curiosity and connection, inspiring readers to reach out to relatives they may not have known they had.