Reigniting my Passion for Family Mysteries

Nearly five years ago, I began a journey that would change my life in profound ways. I dove headfirst into working unknown birth parent cases and grandparent/great-grandparent cases using DNA, driven by a deep desire to help people uncover the hidden truths of their origins. It was rewarding, challenging, and often emotional work, but after a while, I stepped back. I needed a break to focus on my family and shift my attention toward speaking engagements and other personal goals.

At the time, I thought I was closing that chapter for good. But as the saying goes, life has a way of surprising you.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve received countless emails from people seeking help with family mysteries. A couple were searching for lost birth parents that had been turned away due to complexity of their cases, while the majority of others are trying to piece together fragmented family trees. These stories tug at my heart because I understand the importance of identity and the deep human desire to know where you come from. Saying “no” has never been easy for me, and with so many unique cases crossing my path, I’ve realized I can’t walk away from this work.

One case, in particular, came to me during RootsTech, and it completely reignited my passion. A gentleman reached out to a Family Search volunteer who directed him to me, saying I needed to speak with him. He has one of the most intriguing puzzles I’ve ever encountered. He has no documents to confirm his identity, no birth certificate that he can find, and no clear memory of any identifying detail about himself. He doesn't know his exact birth date, nor does he have any idea where he was born.

He does recall being in the foster care system and even requested his records from the state, but all they could provide was a basic index showing that he had indeed been part of the system at some point. Beyond that, there was nothing. I did my best to offer him advice, but goodness, it’s a case I will never forget. He had hoped that discovering the identity of his birth father might help shed light on who he is, where he was born, and possibly when... but unfortunately, that avenue led to a dead end as well. The advice I gave hopefully will give him back the pieces of his identity.

For someone like me, who thrives on untangling family mysteries, this case is a bittersweet dream of a case. It is complex, memorable, mysterious, and heartbreaking all at once, and it reminds me why I fell in love with this work in the first place. I may not have been able to help figure out when or where he was born but I was able to give him a piece of his unknown paternal line. Every case has a story waiting to be uncovered, and every person deserves to know their own. I am hopeful that this gentleman will be able to eventually find his missing pieces.

So, after some reflection, I’ve made a decision. There are so many people out there who have mysteries within their family tree and with the power of DNA, those mysteries can be solved. I’m officially accepting cases again. Whether you’re searching for a lost parent, a grandparent, or trying to uncover a deeper mystery about your origins, I’m here to help. I can also assist with verifying suspected Native American heritage and provide you with the necessary information to enroll, if confirmed and if it aligns with the specific requirements for tribal enrollment.

If you’re interested in contracting me to assist with your search, please check out the services section on my site or email me directly for a quote. Each case is different, and I approach every search with care, respect, and a determination to uncover the answers you’ve been seeking. I’m excited to be back, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me. Let’s solve some puzzles together.

-Aimee Rose-Haynes