Welcome to Roots & Resting Places

Hi, I’m Shawna, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Roots & Resting Places grew out of my deep love for uncovering family history and preserving the stories that might otherwise be forgotten. For me, genealogy is more than just names on a chart. For me it’s about connecting people to their past, honoring their ancestors, and keeping those memories alive for future generations.

I’ve spent years researching family lines, solving tough DNA puzzles, and helping others discover the people and stories that shaped them. Along the way, I’ve learned that every family has mysteries waiting to be uncovered, sometimes hidden in documents, sometimes in old photographs, and sometimes in the very places where our ancestors rest.

That’s why Roots & Resting Places isn’t just about genealogy research. I also dedicate time to cemetery preservation and headstone cleaning. Over time, headstones weather, grow hard to read, and lose their dignity. By carefully and respectfully cleaning them, I’m helping restore those resting places so descendants today and generations tomorrow can visit and connect with their loved ones.

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Through this blog, I’ll be sharing a mix of:

• Tips and guides for doing your own family research

• Stories from the past uncovered through my work

• DNA discoveries and case studies

• Cemetery care and preservation practices

• Reflections on why remembering and preserving matters so much

My hope is that Roots & Resting Places becomes a place of inspiration, where you not only learn how to dig deeper into your own roots, but also feel the importance of caring for the resting places where those stories come full circle.

Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to share more, and I hope you’ll join me on this journey of discovery, remembrance, and preservation.

– Shawna

Founder, Roots & Resting Places