Alyssa Ritch-Frel
Genealogist & Historical Researcher specializing in New York, Southeastern U.S., and the Caribbean
A Ritch History
Genealogist & Historical Researcher
United States
Currently accepting clients for...
- DNA
- Family History Research
- Other Speciality
Family History Research
- DNA
- Dual Citizenship
- Ethnicity / Religion
- Family History Research
- Heraldry / Lineage Societies
- Immigration / Naturalization
- Military
Other Speciality
- Document Translation
- Dual Citizenship
- Heir & Probate Search
- Oral Historian
- Handwriting / Palaeography
Alyssa Ritch-Frel is a professional genealogist and historical researcher based in Brooklyn, New York, who specializes in New York, Southeastern United States, and Caribbean research.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Skidmore College, and received a Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2020, followed by a Certificate in African-Native American Genealogy from the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) in 2023.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Skidmore College, and received a Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2020, followed by a Certificate in African-Native American Genealogy from the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) in 2023.
Geographic Specialities
Southeastern United States
New York (tri-state area)
Caribbean
Southeastern United States
New York (tri-state area)
Caribbean
Testimonials
"Alyssa did more than research my Trinidad & Tobago family history, she added context and background. She did more than just find birth dates and travel documents, she helped to paint a picture of my family's story, which I can now share with my children and every family member that comes after them. I am beyond grateful." -Keisha Mason
"It's taken me over 20 years to find our direct link back to New Amsterdam. My family has always known that we had Afro-Dutch ancestry, as well as Lenape ancestry, but we couldn't find a direct trail back until now. I owe a big thank you to Alyssa Ritch-Frel for finding the key documents that finally revealed the name of my 5th GGM, and also the names of her parents. Her name was Sara Van Salle, and she married our Black Patriot of the American Revolution, Samuel Freeman. Her father was Francis Van Salle Jr. This proved connection to the Van Salle family means we now have our direct line straight back to New Amsterdam." -Teresa Vega
"It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank Alyssa Ritch-Frel for her generous and diligent support in my quest to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and to honor my American Revolutionary War ancestor, Plato Turner. Upon my acceptance into the society, Plato Turner was also entered into the DAR system as a new patriot, an honor long overdue for many black patriots. Though I had submitted eight generations of documents to the best of my ability, there were still missing records, especially among the earliest three generations who did not have enough documented evidence of family relationships. I was at a loss and ready to give up, but Alyssa Ritch-Frel was persistent and used her outstanding expertise and writing skills to locate many additional records and craft a detailed genealogical proof to make my case. Not only is she a tremendously skilled researcher and historian, but she is also a positive and compassionate person." -Muriel D. Roberts Manhattan Chapter, NSDAR
"If you are looking for help finding ancestor vital records, I highly recommend Alyssa. I had been looking for my ancestor's records for a couple of months and had reached a dead-end in the documents I was able to find. I gave Alyssa the partial information that I had about my great-grandparent's death certificates, and my grandparent's marriage certificate, and she was able to locate everything I needed extremely quickly, with the limited information provided. During the entire process, she was very kind and quick to respond to my questions and requests." -Grant Lorusso
"My husband's grandfather was born in Ireland and we needed documentation to prove his foreign birth so we could acquire dual-citizenship. The grandfather lived most of his life in New York City and New Jersey, and had a very common name, which meant that looking for the correct data was a challenge, to say the least. Frankly, we had no idea where to even start. Alyssa knew exactly where to look and what to look for; she found the relevant information and documentation within a couple of days. We highly recommend her services!" -Katherine Liddy & John Carroll Dolan
"Alyssa did more than research my Trinidad & Tobago family history, she added context and background. She did more than just find birth dates and travel documents, she helped to paint a picture of my family's story, which I can now share with my children and every family member that comes after them. I am beyond grateful." -Keisha Mason
"It's taken me over 20 years to find our direct link back to New Amsterdam. My family has always known that we had Afro-Dutch ancestry, as well as Lenape ancestry, but we couldn't find a direct trail back until now. I owe a big thank you to Alyssa Ritch-Frel for finding the key documents that finally revealed the name of my 5th GGM, and also the names of her parents. Her name was Sara Van Salle, and she married our Black Patriot of the American Revolution, Samuel Freeman. Her father was Francis Van Salle Jr. This proved connection to the Van Salle family means we now have our direct line straight back to New Amsterdam." -Teresa Vega
"It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank Alyssa Ritch-Frel for her generous and diligent support in my quest to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and to honor my American Revolutionary War ancestor, Plato Turner. Upon my acceptance into the society, Plato Turner was also entered into the DAR system as a new patriot, an honor long overdue for many black patriots. Though I had submitted eight generations of documents to the best of my ability, there were still missing records, especially among the earliest three generations who did not have enough documented evidence of family relationships. I was at a loss and ready to give up, but Alyssa Ritch-Frel was persistent and used her outstanding expertise and writing skills to locate many additional records and craft a detailed genealogical proof to make my case. Not only is she a tremendously skilled researcher and historian, but she is also a positive and compassionate person." -Muriel D. Roberts Manhattan Chapter, NSDAR
"If you are looking for help finding ancestor vital records, I highly recommend Alyssa. I had been looking for my ancestor's records for a couple of months and had reached a dead-end in the documents I was able to find. I gave Alyssa the partial information that I had about my great-grandparent's death certificates, and my grandparent's marriage certificate, and she was able to locate everything I needed extremely quickly, with the limited information provided. During the entire process, she was very kind and quick to respond to my questions and requests." -Grant Lorusso
"My husband's grandfather was born in Ireland and we needed documentation to prove his foreign birth so we could acquire dual-citizenship. The grandfather lived most of his life in New York City and New Jersey, and had a very common name, which meant that looking for the correct data was a challenge, to say the least. Frankly, we had no idea where to even start. Alyssa knew exactly where to look and what to look for; she found the relevant information and documentation within a couple of days. We highly recommend her services!" -Katherine Liddy & John Carroll Dolan
Additional specialities or search keywords
African American, Native American
African American, Native American
Repositories
New-York Historical Society
National Archives
Library of Congress
The New York Public Library
Brooklyn Historical Society
Library of Congress Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library
South Carolina Department of Archives & History
American Ancestors
Newspapers.com
Ancestry
FamilySearch
Digital Library Of The Caribbean
Readex: Caribbean Newspapers
HeritageQuest
GenealogyBank
British Newspaper Archives
British National Archives
MyHeritage
FindMyPast
New-York Historical Society
National Archives
Library of Congress
The New York Public Library
Brooklyn Historical Society
Library of Congress Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library
South Carolina Department of Archives & History
American Ancestors
Newspapers.com
Ancestry
FamilySearch
Digital Library Of The Caribbean
Readex: Caribbean Newspapers
HeritageQuest
GenealogyBank
British Newspaper Archives
British National Archives
MyHeritage
FindMyPast
Research Time Periods
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- 18th Century
- 17th Century
Languages
English
Italian
Basic German
*Can read and translate most genealogical records in French, Dutch, and Spanish
English
Italian
Basic German
*Can read and translate most genealogical records in French, Dutch, and Spanish
Certificates
Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Research (Boston University)
Certificate in African-Native American Genealogy (Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)
Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Research (Boston University)
Certificate in African-Native American Genealogy (Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)
Affiliations
Association of Caribbean Historians
New-York Historical Society
New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B)
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
National Genealogical Society (NGS)
New England Historic & Genealogical Society (NEHGS)
South Carolina Historical Society
Association of Caribbean Historians
New-York Historical Society
New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B)
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
National Genealogical Society (NGS)
New England Historic & Genealogical Society (NEHGS)
South Carolina Historical Society
Degrees
Skidmore College Bachelor of Arts degree in History
Boston University Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Research
Skidmore College Bachelor of Arts degree in History
Boston University Certificate in Advanced Genealogical Research