About
Know Who Wears The Genes in Your Family is a professional genealogy research service founded and operated by Diane Henriks, a genealogist with nearly two decades of experience. The service combines traditional genealogical research techniques with modern DNA analysis to help individuals uncover their ancestral roots, solve complex family mysteries, and connect with lost relatives. Offerings include Family History & Genealogy Research, Genetic Genealogy (DNA + traditional methods), Unknown Parentage and Biological Family Research, Heir Search and Living People Search, Ancestor Deep Dive Research and Biography Writing, Genealogy Brick Wall Research, and personalized Genealogy Coaching and Workshops. Additional services include DNA Match Grouping and dedicated Family Tree Building. Unlike large genealogy firms, the service emphasizes direct, one-on-one engagement — clients work personally with Diane, ensuring fully customized research plans with no generic reports. Pricing is positioned as affordable relative to traditional genealogy agencies, making expert research accessible to more families. The service is ideal for individuals who are curious about their heritage, adoptees or donor-conceived people seeking biological family, families trying to locate heirs, or anyone who has hit a research dead-end. Genealogy products such as heirloom family tree charts and published family history books are also available to help clients preserve and share what they discover.
Key Features
- Genetic Genealogy (DNA + Traditional Research): Combines DNA analysis with traditional record-based genealogy to reveal hidden family connections and confirm lineage.
- Unknown Parentage & Biological Family Research: Specialized research for adoptees, donor-conceived individuals, and anyone seeking to identify unknown biological relatives.
- Heir Search & Living People Search: Locates living relatives, long-lost family members, or legal heirs using advanced genealogical techniques.
- Genealogy Brick Wall Research: Expert strategies to break through stubborn genealogical dead ends where traditional approaches have failed.
- Coaching, Workshops & Family History Products: One-on-one coaching sessions, small-group workshops, and heirloom products like custom family trees and published family history books.
Use Cases
- Adoptees or donor-conceived individuals researching biological parents and family medical history using DNA and traditional records.
- Families trying to locate long-lost relatives or reconnect with estranged branches of the family tree.
- Legal heir searches to identify and locate rightful heirs for estates or inheritances.
- Genealogists stuck on brick walls who need expert analysis to break through unsolvable research dead ends.
- Individuals who want a professionally researched and beautifully presented family history book or heirloom pedigree chart to preserve their heritage.
Pros
- Direct One-on-One Expert Access: Clients work personally with Diane Henriks — no middlemen or case hand-offs, ensuring a deeply personalized experience.
- Affordable Compared to Large Genealogy Firms: Professional-grade research delivered at a fraction of the cost charged by major genealogy agencies.
- Nearly Two Decades of Experience: Diane brings close to 20 years of professional research expertise, including ongoing education in the latest genealogical methods.
- Specializes in Difficult Cases: Focuses on complex research challenges — unknown parentage, brick walls, heir searches — that other services often cannot resolve.
Cons
- Single-Practitioner Capacity Limits: As a solo service, availability may be limited, and turnaround times can vary based on current caseload.
- Not a Self-Service Platform: There is no DIY research tool or database access — all research is conducted by Diane, so users cannot self-explore records.
- Pricing Not Publicly Listed: Service costs are not displayed on the website, requiring a consultation before understanding the full investment required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of genealogy services are offered?
Services include family history research, genetic genealogy, unknown parentage research, heir and living people searches, brick wall research, ancestor biographies, DNA match grouping, family tree building, coaching, workshops, and genealogy presentations.
How does DNA genealogy work?
Genetic genealogy combines traditional document-based research with DNA test results to identify biological relatives, confirm family connections, and break through research barriers that records alone cannot resolve.
Can you help me find my biological parents or unknown family?
Yes — unknown parentage and biological family research is one of the core specialties. Diane uses a combination of DNA analysis and traditional records to help identify biological relatives for adoptees and donor-conceived individuals.
How do I get started?
You can schedule a free consultation directly on the website to discuss your research goals, and Diane will outline a customized plan to address your specific family history questions.
Are genealogy coaching and workshops available for beginners?
Yes — both one-on-one coaching sessions and small-group workshops are offered for those who want to learn to conduct their own genealogy research with professional guidance.
