Jessica Neaves
Genealogist specializing in New England, Hawaii, and Quebec research
Heritage Discovered
San Francisco, California
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
Family History Research
- Document Retrieval / Record Agent
- Ethnicity / Religion
- Family History Research
- Immigration / Naturalization
My mission is to help people understand their present by discovering their family's past.
After a career in non-profit fundraising, I made the leap to take my love of genealogy, 20 years of research experience, and my Master of Library and Information Science to help others with their family histories. Now, I connect people with their family tree and ancestors’ stories – helping them skip the overwhelm and confusion of “where to start” and get right to finding their missing puzzle pieces.
My personal family history includes Okinawan immigrants to Hawaii and French-Canadian and Irish immigrants to New England. It is a privilege each day to work with clients researching their own ancestry in Hawaii, New England, Quebec, and Ireland and help them feel the joy of connecting to their ancestors.
With an adopted grandfather and abandoned grandmother on one side of my tree to relatives who refused to talk about the past on the other side, I know how hard it can feel to want answers and have no idea how to start.
If you need support with research in Hawaii, New England, or Quebec, I'd love to work with you! You can schedule a free, 20-minute, no-obligation call to chat about what your genealogy goals are and how I may be able to help. https://tidycal.com/jessica2/20-minute-discovery-call
I’m here to help you take control over your genealogy journey by cutting through the overwhelm and frustration and getting right to discovering the missing pieces of your family’s puzzle.
After a career in non-profit fundraising, I made the leap to take my love of genealogy, 20 years of research experience, and my Master of Library and Information Science to help others with their family histories. Now, I connect people with their family tree and ancestors’ stories – helping them skip the overwhelm and confusion of “where to start” and get right to finding their missing puzzle pieces.
My personal family history includes Okinawan immigrants to Hawaii and French-Canadian and Irish immigrants to New England. It is a privilege each day to work with clients researching their own ancestry in Hawaii, New England, Quebec, and Ireland and help them feel the joy of connecting to their ancestors.
With an adopted grandfather and abandoned grandmother on one side of my tree to relatives who refused to talk about the past on the other side, I know how hard it can feel to want answers and have no idea how to start.
If you need support with research in Hawaii, New England, or Quebec, I'd love to work with you! You can schedule a free, 20-minute, no-obligation call to chat about what your genealogy goals are and how I may be able to help. https://tidycal.com/jessica2/20-minute-discovery-call
I’m here to help you take control over your genealogy journey by cutting through the overwhelm and frustration and getting right to discovering the missing pieces of your family’s puzzle.
Geographic Specialities
Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Quebec
Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Quebec
Testimonials
A True Expert in Unraveling Family Histories. I recently had the pleasure of working with Jessica Neaves and I cannot express enough how impressed I am with her passion, expertise, and enthusiasm for genealogy. Mildly curious, I did a DNA test and found out that my ancestry was different than what I had been told growing up. I was curious to learn more about it as well as some of the stories I had been told but was unsure where to start. From our very first conversation, Jessica demonstrated a deep passion for genealogy, and it was evident that she approached each project with genuine enthusiasm and commitment. Her ability to navigate through historical records, archives, and databases is nothing short of remarkable. She uncovered some surprising long-forgotten stories about including a Civil War Soldier who was shot in the head, bandaged, and left beside a fire by the Confederate soldiers who attacked the train. I was stunned to see she was able to find the actual military hospital records. Those types of details add immense value to the overall narrative of one?s ancestral story. What really sets Jessica apart is not just her technical proficiency but her genuine interest in the lives and stories of the individuals she is researching. She has a unique ability to breathe life into the names and dates, turning family history into a vivid tapestry of human experiences. This approach creates a profound connection between the past and the present, making the journey of discovering one's roots both educational and emotionally rewarding. I was particularly impressed by the comprehensive data and reports. They were not only accurate and detailed but also engaging and easy to understand. Jessica prioritizes communication, ensuring that her clients not only receive the information they seek but also gain a deeper understanding of their own family history. She is not just a genealogist; but an extremely valuable partner on the journey to discovering one's roots. If you are considering hiring a genealogist, look no further. She is a true expert, and I am confident that her work will leave you as impressed and grateful as I am. -Barbe S. Before hiring Jessica, I didn?t know where to look in searching for parents of a relative who immigrated to the US from Norway. I had no idea which records online were trustworthy, and I didn?t have the time to feel like I was adequately researching. I wasn?t sure about investing in someone to do the research because I was worried that nothing would be discovered. But I?m delighted I took the chance! It was wonderful feeling like I could offer my older relatives answers and possibilities that weren't yet discovered about our family. I also learned a lot about international records and want to scrub my online family tree to make it more accurate and thoroughly researched. I learn a lot through her social media posts and resources as well. The process was clear and she communicated consistently, and the final report was thorough and detailed. I would enthusiastically recommend Jessica to others ? and I already have! I think it's very addicting and working with a professional genealogist is about even more than the particular mystery you're hoping they'll unravel. I have learned so much about researching on my own through working with her and seeing her report. It has been an exciting and educational experience for me. -Sara Beth J. Jessica did fantastic work looking into my family history, going back several generations into Mexico. I had no this kind of information could be discovered and she was very patient, helpful, and helped educate me about the process of what can be found. -AT
A True Expert in Unraveling Family Histories. I recently had the pleasure of working with Jessica Neaves and I cannot express enough how impressed I am with her passion, expertise, and enthusiasm for genealogy. Mildly curious, I did a DNA test and found out that my ancestry was different than what I had been told growing up. I was curious to learn more about it as well as some of the stories I had been told but was unsure where to start. From our very first conversation, Jessica demonstrated a deep passion for genealogy, and it was evident that she approached each project with genuine enthusiasm and commitment. Her ability to navigate through historical records, archives, and databases is nothing short of remarkable. She uncovered some surprising long-forgotten stories about including a Civil War Soldier who was shot in the head, bandaged, and left beside a fire by the Confederate soldiers who attacked the train. I was stunned to see she was able to find the actual military hospital records. Those types of details add immense value to the overall narrative of one?s ancestral story. What really sets Jessica apart is not just her technical proficiency but her genuine interest in the lives and stories of the individuals she is researching. She has a unique ability to breathe life into the names and dates, turning family history into a vivid tapestry of human experiences. This approach creates a profound connection between the past and the present, making the journey of discovering one's roots both educational and emotionally rewarding. I was particularly impressed by the comprehensive data and reports. They were not only accurate and detailed but also engaging and easy to understand. Jessica prioritizes communication, ensuring that her clients not only receive the information they seek but also gain a deeper understanding of their own family history. She is not just a genealogist; but an extremely valuable partner on the journey to discovering one's roots. If you are considering hiring a genealogist, look no further. She is a true expert, and I am confident that her work will leave you as impressed and grateful as I am. -Barbe S. Before hiring Jessica, I didn?t know where to look in searching for parents of a relative who immigrated to the US from Norway. I had no idea which records online were trustworthy, and I didn?t have the time to feel like I was adequately researching. I wasn?t sure about investing in someone to do the research because I was worried that nothing would be discovered. But I?m delighted I took the chance! It was wonderful feeling like I could offer my older relatives answers and possibilities that weren't yet discovered about our family. I also learned a lot about international records and want to scrub my online family tree to make it more accurate and thoroughly researched. I learn a lot through her social media posts and resources as well. The process was clear and she communicated consistently, and the final report was thorough and detailed. I would enthusiastically recommend Jessica to others ? and I already have! I think it's very addicting and working with a professional genealogist is about even more than the particular mystery you're hoping they'll unravel. I have learned so much about researching on my own through working with her and seeing her report. It has been an exciting and educational experience for me. -Sara Beth J. Jessica did fantastic work looking into my family history, going back several generations into Mexico. I had no this kind of information could be discovered and she was very patient, helpful, and helped educate me about the process of what can be found. -AT
Repositories
Sutro Library California Historical Society Society of California Pioneers San Francisco History Center J. Paul Leonard Library (San Francisco State University) Gleeson Library (University of San Francisco) Labor Archives and Research center National Archives San Bruno
Sutro Library California Historical Society Society of California Pioneers San Francisco History Center J. Paul Leonard Library (San Francisco State University) Gleeson Library (University of San Francisco) Labor Archives and Research center National Archives San Bruno
Research Time Periods
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
Languages
Basic Spanish (reading), Basic French (reading)
Basic Spanish (reading), Basic French (reading)
Certificates
- ProGen 61
- Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR): Writing and Publishing for Genealogists
- Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG): Advanced Genealogical Methods
- Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR): Understanding Land Records
Affiliations
Advancement Director, Massachusetts Genealogical Council. Member of APG New England and Northern California Chapters, Utah Genealogical Association, and Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii
Advancement Director, Massachusetts Genealogical Council. Member of APG New England and Northern California Chapters, Utah Genealogical Association, and Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii
Degrees
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), BA (Sociology)
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), BA (Sociology)