Our professional genealogists can be your guide on a journey to the past. At The Past Matters, we provide a variety of genealogical and historical research services that we can tailor to meet your objectives. Our services include genealogy and lineage research, help in identifying old photographs, lectures and workshops, brickwall guidance, and genealogy project management. You can contact us for more information and to see how we might be able to help you on a journey to your past.

"The only thing new in the world is the history you don't know."
–– Harry S. Truman

"Study the past if you would divine the future."
–– Confucius

Do you look like your ancestors?  What traits or characteristics have you inherited from your ancestors?  And what can they teach you about yourself and about your own life patterns and choices?

These are some of the questions that motivate us to learn more about our ancestors.  Are there other questions that have motivated you to research your family history?

"There is no life that does not contribute to history."
–– Dorothy West

At The Past Matters, we offer genealogy services that can help you in searching for your ancestors.  For us, the reward is in the journey, whether we are researching your ancestors or our own.

Our mission is to assist you in your journey to the past.  We do this by tailoring our services to meet your needs.  We then perform those services in a professional and ethical manner.

"For what is the worth of a human life unless it is woven into the lives of our ancestors?" –– Cicero

If you are just beginning your search, you may be unsure about where to start.  If you have already been researching your family, you may be unsure about where to go next or you may have hit a brick wall.  Or, you may know what needs to be done next, but don’t have the time to do it yourself.

At The Past Matters, we can help you plan your research, we can get your research started with an initial search or we can take your existing research to the next level.  You can choose a pre-packaged set of services or we can customize our services to fit your specific needs.

"The past isn't dead. It isn't even past."
–– William Faulkner

Who uses a professional genealogist?  At The Past Matters, our services allow us to assist:

• Families who want to have a compiled and properly documented family history or genealogy.
• Individuals who are applying to a lineage society, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) .
• Antique dealers and artifact collectors who are interested in adding to the value of a photo or other relic by identifying and dating, providing historical context, or documenting the provenance of the item.
• Students, professional writers and historians who need assistance with historical research.
• Individuals who need assistance in solving a specific genealogical problem or getting past a brick wall to continue their own personal genealogical research.
• Other professional genealogists who need assistance with onsite research in the Pacific Northwest, Ozarks or southern Midwest.
• Families who need assistance in dating and identifying old photos or other original family records.

"Every journey starts with a single step"
–– Anonymous

Initial consultations are always free.  We handle large and small projects, and we would be happy to customize our services to meet your specific needs.  So contact us and see how we can assist you on your journey to the past.

You will see for yourself that we believe . . .

The Past Matters.