Jessica Fontana
Family History Researcher
Ancestral Path Genealogy Services
United States
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
- Writing /Publishing
Family History Research
- Document Retrieval / Record Agent
- Family History Research
- Tutor / Coach
Speaking/Presenting
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
- Technology
- Writing & Publishing
- Available for virtual events
Writing/Publishing
- Author/Writer
Other Speciality
- Forensic Research
- Heir & Probate Search
Ancestral Path Genealogy Services: My genealogy research business began shortly after I left Ancestry ProGenealogists in 2023. I mostly research for family history clients.
Recent continuing education: “Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy,” at Texas State Genealogical Society (TIGR) Institute in June 2023. Mentorship through the APG Forensic Genealogy SIG (cohort 8) in spring of 2024, focusing on probate/heir, and military research. Working on the submission projects for CG certification through BCG.
Research Focus Areas: U.S. research, extensive experience in Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, and Massachusetts. I have regularly worked on colonial era records in Virginia, the Carolinas, Massachusetts, and Maryland. I also have experience in researching African American families. I have also worked in genetic genealogy research, analyzing/triangulating autosomal DNA matches, as well as researching/proving document trails using DNA matches from my own family and for clients.
Work for Ancestry ProGenealogists: My research focused on work for clients needing assistance in U.S research, mostly in the Midwest, Southern, Mid-Atlantic states, and some colonial era research in New England, Virginia, and North Carolina. I was awarded the quarterly key contributor award twice and I won an innovation summit award in 2022.
Recent continuing education: “Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy,” at Texas State Genealogical Society (TIGR) Institute in June 2023. Mentorship through the APG Forensic Genealogy SIG (cohort 8) in spring of 2024, focusing on probate/heir, and military research. Working on the submission projects for CG certification through BCG.
Research Focus Areas: U.S. research, extensive experience in Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, and Massachusetts. I have regularly worked on colonial era records in Virginia, the Carolinas, Massachusetts, and Maryland. I also have experience in researching African American families. I have also worked in genetic genealogy research, analyzing/triangulating autosomal DNA matches, as well as researching/proving document trails using DNA matches from my own family and for clients.
Work for Ancestry ProGenealogists: My research focused on work for clients needing assistance in U.S research, mostly in the Midwest, Southern, Mid-Atlantic states, and some colonial era research in New England, Virginia, and North Carolina. I was awarded the quarterly key contributor award twice and I won an innovation summit award in 2022.
Geographic Specialities
I specialize in U.S. research with expertise in Southern, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes state; extensive experience in Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. I also have experience in researching African American families.
I specialize in U.S. research with expertise in Southern, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes state; extensive experience in Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. I also have experience in researching African American families.
Testimonials
Jessica's work on behalf of my family gave us more than I could ever put into words. She gave us the names of enslaved ancestors, and now we can speak them; she helped us uncovered our roots, and now we can water them. I have never had a stronger sense of self or identity as I do now, thanks to her genealogical work" A. Y.
"Working with Jessica on researching our family history was one of the best experiences my sister and I have had. She talked with each of us to determine what we were hoping to learn, and established three goals initially. She developed a plan to include particular family members of interest, how far back we wanted to go, and laid out the specifics we had in mind. We received detailed updates throughout the process, and as we got more information, we were able to adjust our goals based on the information provided. Jessica approached her research into our family the same as she would into her own. We truly felt it was a collaboration throughout. Jessica checked in with us along the way, and gave us options about the direction we could proceed. Once we felt we had what we wanted she prepared a narrative report, a journal which cites and analyzes the documents she collected and an image document with copies of all original sources collected. Throughout the process it was obvious that researching ancestry is a true passion for her, and the wealth of information we received is a result of that passion. She went beyond our expectations! - E.S.M.
Jessica's work on behalf of my family gave us more than I could ever put into words. She gave us the names of enslaved ancestors, and now we can speak them; she helped us uncovered our roots, and now we can water them. I have never had a stronger sense of self or identity as I do now, thanks to her genealogical work" A. Y.
"Working with Jessica on researching our family history was one of the best experiences my sister and I have had. She talked with each of us to determine what we were hoping to learn, and established three goals initially. She developed a plan to include particular family members of interest, how far back we wanted to go, and laid out the specifics we had in mind. We received detailed updates throughout the process, and as we got more information, we were able to adjust our goals based on the information provided. Jessica approached her research into our family the same as she would into her own. We truly felt it was a collaboration throughout. Jessica checked in with us along the way, and gave us options about the direction we could proceed. Once we felt we had what we wanted she prepared a narrative report, a journal which cites and analyzes the documents she collected and an image document with copies of all original sources collected. Throughout the process it was obvious that researching ancestry is a true passion for her, and the wealth of information we received is a result of that passion. She went beyond our expectations! - E.S.M.
Publications/Media
Joseph J. Allen: One of the First African American Mail Carriers in Saint Paul, Minnesota," Generations: Quarterly of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Vol 55, Number 1, Spring 2024.
Joseph J. Allen: One of the First African American Mail Carriers in Saint Paul, Minnesota," Generations: Quarterly of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Vol 55, Number 1, Spring 2024.
Lectures
Enhancing Your Research with Periodicals: PERSI and JSTOR
Enhancing Your Research with Periodicals: PERSI and JSTOR
Repositories
Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Genealogical Society and willing to go to county courthouses in Scott, Dakota, Carver, Wright, Le Sueur, and Ramsey counties.
Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Genealogical Society and willing to go to county courthouses in Scott, Dakota, Carver, Wright, Le Sueur, and Ramsey counties.
Research Time Periods
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- 18th Century
- 17th Century
Languages
English, German, some Italian
English, German, some Italian
Affiliations
Minnesota Genealogical Society, APG Northland Chapter, National Genealogical Society, and NGS Forensic Genealogy SIG.
Minnesota Genealogical Society, APG Northland Chapter, National Genealogical Society, and NGS Forensic Genealogy SIG.
Degrees
Bachelor of Music - Ohio State University Master of Science, Extension Education, minor in Adult Education Methods - Ohio State University
Bachelor of Music - Ohio State University Master of Science, Extension Education, minor in Adult Education Methods - Ohio State University