You have a question, I can find the answer.

I’m Mary. I’m a genealogist, researcher, podcaster, and terminally curious and rigorous investigator.

Ask me to build your family tree, research ancestors, find archival materials, fact-check your work, or track down sources and information for your investigation.

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Photo of bookshelves filled with books in a library, with a narrow aisle in the center and a circle skylight ceiling above.

Solving internet and cultural mysteries.

  • A humpback whale breaching the water with water splashing around.

    Is Moby a descendant of Herman Melville?

    Teamed up with fellow researcher and Melville aficionado Adam Mellion to produce a 3-episode series of my podcast The Genealogy Detective.

  • Close-up Renee L'Esperance, aka Mavis Beacon.

    Where is Mavis Beacon?

    I tracked down the model Renee L’Esperance who portrayed the brand character Mavis Beacon for the 2024 documentary Seeking Mavis Beacon.

  • Close-up of a Cool Ranch Dorito chip on a white surface.

    When did Cool Ranch get cooler?

    Researched the rebranding of Cool Ranch Doritos and located a Frito-Lay marketing VP for the podcast Underunderstood.

  • Cover 'HIT MAN,' by Rex Feral, actually authored by Gayle McCool.

    Who is Rex Feral?

    Uncovered the real identity of the author of a notorious book (just to satisfy myself that I could) that led to an actual murder and a seminal first amendment case.

  • A girl stands facing a large, abstract, jagged outline of an elephant drawn on a wall.

    Who animated "Cracks"?

    Picking up a lost Sesame Street media mystery and carrying the investigation forward.

  • Graffiti on a white wall that says 'WHAT NOW?' in black spray paint with a stylized face drawing.

    Coming soon

    Forthcoming work includes research for the Hyperfixed podcast.

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Why hire a genealogist?

Getting a second pair of eyes on a research problem often opens up entire avenues of information. I will look where you haven’t. I will attack a problem by reframing the question in terms of what evidence we can uncover. I will ask the question in a new way. If you’ve been beating your head against a figurative or literal wall: please, let me help.

A professional genealogist adheres to the Genealogical Proof Standard when conducting research. This standard means you can be assured of the thoroughness and accuracy of any work undertaken, even if when we don’t find the answers we’re seeking. Every project will include:

  • A reasonably exhaustive research.

  • Complete and accurate source citations.

  • Thorough analysis and correlation.

  • Resolution of conflicting evidence.

  • A soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.


Need answers quickly?

Book a quick consult: rent my brain and skills for an advanced search two-hour block. If I can’t get you the answer you need in that time, I will assess the scope of your problem or question, outline the a path for the research needed, and propose a path forward. Written report and 30 minute Zoom included.

Hire Me
A wooden box filled with black and white photographs of different people's portraits.

Let’s Work Together

Have a research problem or just want to say hi? Send me a note!