You’ve seen a family tree. I untangle it.
Welcome! I’m Vanessa Wood, a professional genealogist specializing in correcting family tree errors and resolving mistaken identities that have stood for generations. Old handwriting and documents are my starting point — I study them closely, then piece together the neighborhoods people lived in to separate fact from folklore. Because I enjoy uncovering the lives of people who did not make it into history books, my work often leads to families overlooked by mainstream research. As a result, I have 25+ articles published in journals including the NGS Quarterly, Tennessee Genealogical Society, Maryland Genealogical Society, and California Genealogical Society. In addition, I’m the author of Pryor Wives, Board in Venice, and The Kinship Papers.
Correcting Family Tree Errors
Every family tree eventually runs into a snag. For example, a name that doesn’t match, a date that doesn’t add up, a family missing from the census, or perhaps a child that can’t be accounted for. Then there is the story that’s been passed down wrong for a hundred years. Correcting family tree errors is where I do my best work. Specifically, I apply the Genealogical Proof Standard to sort out identity mix-ups, court mistakes, and long-standing folklore.
“People can be found in the tiniest details and by casting a large net.”
Stay Current with My Research
I use this blog to share research news — new publications, writing awards, and genealogical discoveries. Subscribe to receive new posts delivered directly to your email.
Education and Professional Membership
I hold a certificate of Genealogical Research from Boston University and I am a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
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