Ricki King
Leading an effort to bring the legacy of Iowa's Black history and places to light.
Roots To Branches Genealogy, LLC
History Consultant and Genealogist
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
Family History Research
- Ethnicity / Religion
- Family History Research
Speaking/Presenting
- Family History Research
- Available for virtual events
Other Speciality
- Heir & Probate Search
- House Historian / Local History
Retired from John Deere Financial, Ricki King founded Roots to Branches Genealogy, LLC. She has twice published an article in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly Journal. In addition, King is a webinar presenter for the Iowa History 101 Series: "Iowa's Black Migration: Into, Around, Out of, and Back Again." Ricki worked to help Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines be recognized by the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. King is leading an effort to bring the legacy of Iowa's Black history and places to light. Ricki is the Iowa Historical Foundation Chair and a Board Trustee of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Services
Roots To Branches Genealogy, LLC is a historical research company working with communities to find and share their story.
Geographic Specialties
IA, Midwest, can work in other USA areas.
Geographic Specialities
Midwest
Midwest
Testimonials
Ricki is always finding ways to improve searches and gain information for all genealogists-her sparkling personality and smile make her a joy to be around, plus she does know her stuff!" -Jay
"I asked Ricki to use her Genealogy knowledge and skills to help me solve a few family mysteries. After prioritizing my list and agreeing on a budget, Ricki went to work. She was ultimately able to find information I never could and interpret it to answer several questions for our family. While the related documentation can be a bit overwhelming, Ricki interpreted it and also provided a narrative that I could use and share with the rest of my family. Ricki s love of genealogy is evident when you talk with her and I would definitely work with her again!" -Linda
"We have been very pleased with the work performed on our family heritage by Ricki King, she is very responsive and through in her analysis. Her work has taken my family lineage to 1780s with still the opportunity to potential go further back. Her extensive years in genealogy is evident in her performance. I would strongly recommend you consider her for your genealogy investigation." -T.A.
Ricki is always finding ways to improve searches and gain information for all genealogists-her sparkling personality and smile make her a joy to be around, plus she does know her stuff!" -Jay
"I asked Ricki to use her Genealogy knowledge and skills to help me solve a few family mysteries. After prioritizing my list and agreeing on a budget, Ricki went to work. She was ultimately able to find information I never could and interpret it to answer several questions for our family. While the related documentation can be a bit overwhelming, Ricki interpreted it and also provided a narrative that I could use and share with the rest of my family. Ricki s love of genealogy is evident when you talk with her and I would definitely work with her again!" -Linda
"We have been very pleased with the work performed on our family heritage by Ricki King, she is very responsive and through in her analysis. Her work has taken my family lineage to 1780s with still the opportunity to potential go further back. Her extensive years in genealogy is evident in her performance. I would strongly recommend you consider her for your genealogy investigation." -T.A.
Additional specialities or search keywords
Black or African American history in the Midwest.
Black or African American history in the Midwest.
Publications/Media
King, Ricki. "Separating Identities of Two Hattie Campbells of Marion and Ralls Counties, Missouri, Reveal Hattie King's Mother." National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Volume 110, No. 4, (December 2022): 265-273.
King, Ricki. "Research Guide Iowa.," page 33-36, FamilyTree Magazine. July-August 2022.
King, Ricki. "A Father's [Lynching? Murder?] Provides A Possible Motive for an African American Woman's use of Multiple Maiden Names." National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Volume 109, No. 1, (March 2021): 29-44.
King, Ricki. "Women and the 1925 Iowa State Census," WOW Women of Worth April-May 2020.
King, Ricki. "Women of Three Generations," The Urban Experience October 2018.
King, Ricki. "Separating Identities of Two Hattie Campbells of Marion and Ralls Counties, Missouri, Reveal Hattie King's Mother." National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Volume 110, No. 4, (December 2022): 265-273.
King, Ricki. "Research Guide Iowa.," page 33-36, FamilyTree Magazine. July-August 2022.
King, Ricki. "A Father's [Lynching? Murder?] Provides A Possible Motive for an African American Woman's use of Multiple Maiden Names." National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Volume 109, No. 1, (March 2021): 29-44.
King, Ricki. "Women and the 1925 Iowa State Census," WOW Women of Worth April-May 2020.
King, Ricki. "Women of Three Generations," The Urban Experience October 2018.
Lectures
"Iowa's Black Migration, Into, Around, Out of, and Back Again," Iowa History 101 Series, State Historical Society of Iowa.
"Family History Research Beginner: Where to Start?," various organizations in Iowa
Interviews:
"Butterflies glide from floor to ceiling in an exhibition reflecting Black American migration," Talk of Iowa with Charity Nebbe
"Ricki King, Genealogy Business Owner," Host: Coffee with Cleo Franklin"
The Business of Genealogy with Ricki King," Host: Insight on Business with Michael Libbie, July 2020.
"Iowa's Black Migration, Into, Around, Out of, and Back Again," Iowa History 101 Series, State Historical Society of Iowa.
"Family History Research Beginner: Where to Start?," various organizations in Iowa
Interviews:
"Butterflies glide from floor to ceiling in an exhibition reflecting Black American migration," Talk of Iowa with Charity Nebbe
"Ricki King, Genealogy Business Owner," Host: Coffee with Cleo Franklin"
The Business of Genealogy with Ricki King," Host: Insight on Business with Michael Libbie, July 2020.
Repositories
State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI)
Iowa Genealogical Society (IGS)
Drake University
Iowa State University
University of Iowa
Des Moines Public Library
State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI)
Iowa Genealogical Society (IGS)
Drake University
Iowa State University
University of Iowa
Des Moines Public Library
Research Time Periods
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
Languages
English
English
Certificates
Certificate holder Genealogical Research (Boston University)
Certificate holder Genealogical Research (Boston University)
Affiliations
Iowa Historical Foundation Board, Chair
State Historical Society of Iowa, Board of Trustees
Association of Professional Genealogists, Former Director
Iowa Genealogical Society
National Genealogical Society
State Historical Society of Missouri
Albemarle Charlottesville (Virginia) Historical Society
Iowa Historical Foundation Board, Chair
State Historical Society of Iowa, Board of Trustees
Association of Professional Genealogists, Former Director
Iowa Genealogical Society
National Genealogical Society
State Historical Society of Missouri
Albemarle Charlottesville (Virginia) Historical Society
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts, History; Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication; Drake University
Bachelor of Arts, History; Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication; Drake University