People research their family history for all kinds of reasons: curiosity, fascinating stories, unexpected inheritances, or simply the thrill of solving a mystery. One important reason that’s often overlooked is health.

It’s a reminder that our ancestors deserve to be more than the labels they were given; they were products of their time, their experiences, and their heartbreak. It is essential to weave together these threads to reveal a fuller, richer portrait of who they truly were.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with someone who wanted to record her favourite recipes. Today, meals often come pre-prepared or through subscription boxes, or we turn to Google for the recipe. Yet there is no more treasured memory than helping to prepare or enjoying a favourite home-cooked meal.

There’s a moment in every family history journey when the past becomes personal