Finding Her: Our Female Ancestor

Though our female ancestor may be elusive, by understanding her role in other people’s lives and the community, we can find a variety of records documenting her life.

Melissa Tennant Rzepczynski, with extensive experience in family history instruction and research methodologies, offers her knowledge and strong customer service skills to those interested in exploring their family roots. Founder of Branch Discoveries, LLC in 2022, she provides consultations, document retrievals, research services, and presentations. With over two decades in the genealogical field, Melissa’s expertise spans various areas, including Midwest and Southeast U.S. families, immigration, migration, property records, probate records, African American, and female ancestors.

Melissa initiated her genealogical career at the Hillsborough County Public Library in Tampa in 2001 and later held key positions at the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Melissa has presented at numerous events, including RootsTech, FGS Conference, Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, and Indiana Genealogy Society Conference, and serves as an instructor for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI).