Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Other Speciality

Marissa began her journey into family history research as a young child, listening to family stories and attempting to memorize the details of her four-generation pedigree chart. At the age of 15 years, she began researching her ancestors and helping her mom build their family tree. When she discovered the Family History degree program as a student at Brigham Young University, there was no looking back. She took courses in every geographic area where her ancestors were known to have lived, preparing her to research across the U.S., Canada, and in most of the countries of Europe. She also has a passion for immigration research and discovering the ancestral hometown in Europe. Marissa has worked as a professional genealogist since her graduation in 2005, also adding forensic research to her list of specialties in 2010. Marissa is taking clients for forensic and historical research. Get in touch today!

Testimonials
"... If you really want to know about your ancestors, their lives and motivations, sign up now.  I have engaged five previous professional genealogists and no one is in the rarified atmosphere in which Treasured Ancestors exists and thrives."     --John S.

Publications/Media

• FEEFHS Journal: A Publication for Central & East European Genealogical Studies, vol. 12 (2004). Editorial assistant to Tom Edlund.
• Gardner, Marissa. Trotter, Suzanne M., ed., Chapter 4: From Province of Saxony to Wisconsin: Friedrich W. Leissring, German Immigrant Case Studies, vol. 2 (2004).
• Gardner, Marissa. "Finding the Hamburg Passenger Lists," Der Blumenbaum, Sacramento German Genealogy Society, vol. 21, no. 4 (April, May, June 2004).
• Gardner, Marissa. "A DNA Case Study," Crossroads, Utah Genealogical Association, vol. 2, no. 4 (September 2007).
• Gardner, Marissa. "Family Tree Research and Jewish History Part 1," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, June 2015, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/jewish-research-tips-part-1-history-and-immigration.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Jewish Research Part 2: Tips and Resources," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, July 2015, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/jewish-research-part-2-tips-and-resources. 
• Gardner, Marissa. "Jewish Family History Research Tips, Part 3: Conclusion," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, August 2015, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/jewish-research-tips-part-3-conclusion.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Seeking Connection: The Importance of Family History," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, July 2019, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/importance-family-history.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Windmills, Tulips, and Wooden Shoes: A Guide to Dutch Surnames," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, February 2020, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/dutch-surnames.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Make Hay While the Sun Shines: Farm Names in Your Family History," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, April 2020, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/farm-names-family-history.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Passenger Lists: A Gateway to Foreign Lands and a Former Life," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, July 2020, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/passenger-lists-a-gateway-to-foreign-lands-and-a-former-life.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Pandemonium and Family Reunions: The Best Laid Plans," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, January 2021, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/family-reunion-activities.
• Gardner, Marissa. "15 Steps to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors," Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog, November 2022, https://www.legacytree.com/blog/15-steps-to-finding-your-immigrant-ancestors.
• Gardner, Marissa. "Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship for Brazilians," MyHeritage Blog, April 2023, https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/04/obtaining-portuguese-citizenship-for-brazilians/.

Lectures

• Utah Genealogical Association, South Davis Family History Fair, 2012: U.S. Immigration Problems: Finding Your Ancestor's Hometown.
• National Genealogical Society, 2020: T207-Gardner-U.S. Immigration Problems Finding Your Ancestor's Hometown.
• MyHeritage Live, October 2020: Clues to Your Immigrant Ancestor's Passenger List.
• Association of Professional Genealogists, Forensic Special Interest Group, 2024: The Great Debate: Corporate Genealogy vs. Self-Employment.
• Utah State Bar Association, 2024: Forensic Genealogy in the Practice of Law.

Repositories
FamilySearch Library, network of contractors at various archives and libraries throughout the U.S. and Europe

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century

Languages
German, French, Russian, Dutch, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Latin

Honorifics/Credentials
AG®

Certificates

• Certificate from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) for The Pennsylvania German and Research in the Keystone State (2021).
• Certificate from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy for Mother Russia: Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and USSR (2021).
• Certificate from the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh for Irish Genealogical Research, Part II (2022).
• Certificate from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) for Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy (2023).
• Certificate from the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburg (GRIP) for Beyond Fundamentals: Hands-on Forensic Genealogy (2023).
• Certificate from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) for Advanced Research Tools: Land Records (2024).

Affiliations

• International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, Accredited Genealogist®, Region: Germany (2011-present).
• Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) (2005-present).
• APG Forensic Special Interest Group.
• American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.
• Germans from Russia Historical Society.
• Germanic Genealogical Society.
• Gesher Galicia.
• North of Ireland Family History Society.
• Sacramento German Genealogy Society.
• St. Louis Genealogical Society.
• Hamilton County (Ohio) Genealogical Society.
• National Genealogical Society.
• New York Genealogical & Biographical Society.
• Utah Genealogical Association.
• Connecticut Society of Genealogists.

Degrees
Brigham Young University, B.A. in Family History & Genealogy (2005).