My path into genealogy began with a simple but deeply personal question:

Which tartan should I wear?

In Scotland, a kilt tartan isn’t just a pattern — it’s a declaration of heritage, belonging, and identity. But my grandfather was born illegitimate, and the name he carried wasn’t the name of his father. If I wanted to wear a tartan that truly reflected my lineage, I first had to uncover the truth of who we were.

What I thought would be a quick search became a twenty‑year investigation. Two decades of records, dead ends, breakthroughs, DNA matches, and long nights piecing together fragments of a life that had been hidden for generations. Along the way, I learned how to navigate missing records, surname changes, family secrets, and the quiet complexities of Scottish history.

Eventually, I found him — my grandfather’s father — and with that discovery came not just the right tartan, but a deeper understanding of my family’s story.

Those years taught me patience, method, and the importance of approaching every family mystery with respect and determination. Today, I use those lessons to help others uncover their own heritage, solve their own brick walls, and make sense of the stories that shaped them.

Your history matters. And I’m here to help you find it.