Built on Precision

My investigations are backed by over three decades in the tech industry. That experience wired my brain for pattern recognition. I learned early that one missing character of code can break a system—and one missed record can break a family tree. I apply that same passion for accuracy to every document I analyze.

Trained in the Legal Trenches

History is often hidden behind red tape. I have spent over 30 years navigating the complex worlds of government regulations and legal jargon. I’m not an attorney, but I speak the language of the law.

My experience in regulatory research, sunshine-law requests, and public records navigation means I know how to dig in the quiet corners of the courthouse where the most valuable secrets are kept. When institutions try to keep history buried, I know how to find it.

Fieldwork: Walking the Ground

Records can lie. The land usually doesn't.

I don’t just research from behind a desk; I go to the source. From reading obscure gravestones in forgotten cemeteries to walking the soil of Civil War battlefields, I witness the history I write about.

Case Highlights:

• The Unmarked Soldier: Collaborated with the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs to secure a family memorial marker for a relative’s unknown Civil War grave at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

• The Volunteer: Photographed and cataloged 2,000+ stones for Find a Grave, preserving names before time erases them.

• The Reenactor: Walked the lines at the Battle of Resaca “161st Reenactment” in Georgia to understand the conditions my ancestor endured.

Active Investigations:

• The Western Front: Currently preparing to deploy to Fort Laramie, Wyoming and the Colorado archives to uncover a frontier survival story.

• The Pioneer Trace: Planning an expedition to Virginia to verify the origins of a 4th-great-grandfather. Records suggest an 1809 birth, and I intend to bridge the gap between the Old Dominion and the Ohio frontier.

The Ultimate Cold Case: My Own

I don’t just serve clients; I am one. My journey into professional genealogy began with a 50-year mystery: the identity of my biological father. Partnering with a nationally known genetic genealogist and a team of archivists, I combined DNA science with traditional paper-trail research to finally uncover the truth.

That experience taught me that every brick wall can be broken—if you have the right team, the right tools, and enough patience to let the evidence speak.

Why Trust the Grave Guy™?

Because I’ve lived this work. I’ve walked the land, fought for the records, and solved the impossible cases.

When you invite me into your family’s history, you aren't just hiring a researcher. You’re gaining a guide who balances professional rigor with empathy, and who believes every grave has a story waiting to be told.