About Sue

Before all of those I am a mom, a wife and a gramma and I find my energy in family.

I remember at 16, creating a huge family chart—helping my mom, who was very interested in her genealogy. In 2010, a commercial came on the TV about Ancestry. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen it, this time though there were no deterrents around to stop me from investigating. That was Saturday at 1 pm. By 9 am Sunday I had not slept or eaten… barely stopping to use the washroom. Addicted to family? You bet!

On Friday my mom had me over for supper and I returned home with two jam-packed boxes full of many of artifacts from previous generations. I’ve never looked back.

My journey began with mapping out mom’s collection of ancestors, newspaper clippings and photographs. She was the keeper of family heirlooms (a family bible, two hand-crafted baptism gowns from 1849, and family photos). That Friday, she passed the genealogical torch to me—and I took up digitizing all her work and building a family chart from there.

As a visual person I needed to see this family tree outside of the confines of a computer. I was dreaming of something bigger than a line chart. I wanted a bold picture that told the story of generations. This was the genesis of Family Ancestrees.

Creative Sue, the graphic designer cum graphic genealogist

I weave creativity and complex information, like a rich and colourful tapestry, unveiling origin stories and collected folklore. Using my award-winning skills as a Graphic Designer, I curate these custom works of art into posters and books that you can easily access, share and enjoy with family. It is a distinct pleasure of mine to create visual treasures, commemorating your family—inviting your ancestors into your life and home.

Curious Sue, my DNA story

As DNA became affordable, I jumped onboard and tested myself, my siblings, my mom (who was excited with me to discover my dad’s biological people). I DNA tested several other family members who were willing—even a few friends. DNA science was growing quickly and my understanding of “Shared Matches” and cMs was growing too.

Within 6 years of learning, making Maguire charts, Leeds Charts, clustering matches and taking loads of courses (with CeCe Moore & Blaine Bettinger amongst others), I reached a genetic theory! August 31, 2018—I will never forget.

The next years were experiencing the diplomacy of connecting with family who had no idea I was out here, looking for them.

Through the good grace of shared cousin matches, I made positive contact with a first cousin. Together, we turned to Facebook and created a community of cousins, distant, close, unknown previously and known. This gave us the space to get to know each other.

I soon had the greatest pleasure in meeting his family face-to-face. I shared my dad with his brothers and sisters in a hardcover book of his life. It has become a great keepsake for “new” family, and for his grandchildren and their children.

Now, I also review and analyse DNA for others. I’ve discovered unknown parents, children and extended family—building complex trees—and making clients cry from happiness.