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Start with what you know
It is always best to start with what you know, then define what you want to know. We can define a focused question, the best strategies to use, and possible records to search to give you the answers you seek.
About Mystery to Memory
There is a story behind every record.
I am Sean Wilhelm, the researcher behind Mystery to Memory. My goal is to help people solve the unknown in their family history. Using my experience in family history research I can help you find the answers you are looking for and understand how the evidence supports the conclusion.
Why family history
Finding an ancestor is only the beginning.
Finding that ancestor's name, some vital facts about them, and how they fit in your family tree is only a start. What I love to find is who they were as a person, what happened in their lives, and how it fits in the bigger picture. Connecting all of the available evidence paints a picture of who they are and how that matters to you.
When doing research, I always start with what is known and then look at the mystery to solve. It could be an ancestor that you need to place in your family history, a relationship that does not make sense, a family story that you want to investigate, or surprising DNA results. My goal is to find the best approach to help you understand how it all fits together in making your family story.
Names and dates are just that: facts. My goal is to help you to see how each piece of evidence fits together. Each of your ancestors in some way shaped who you are. I want you to feel connected to each ancestor and see how everything in their life led to you.
My approach
Research should be focused, understandable, and useful.
Finding answers to your family history questions can be complicated sometimes. I use a focused research process to find the answers that may seem out of reach.
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Follow the evidence
Usually, the answers are not found in one particular document. Results come from taking each record and analyzing them together to provide the most probable answer to your family history mystery.
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Results you can understand
When the search is complete, you will be presented with the results of my research. Each document is presented in an organized way, with an explanation of how they all fit together. Any uncertainty will be noted with a reason why.
Education & professional development
Continuing to develop the craft of family history research.
Family history research combines historical records, evidence analysis, writing, technology, and sometimes DNA. I continue to develop those skills through education, independent study, seminars, and hands-on experience.
Family History Education
I have been researching my own family history for forty years. I recently graduated with an associates degree in Family History Research through BYU-Idaho.
Evidence-Based Research
The best research method is to identify reliable sources, resolve any conflicting evidence, and provide the results in an easy-to-understand format.
Professional Development
I am continuously seeking educational opportunities so I can provide clients with the best research available. I am working toward additional professional credentialing.
The reason for the name
Turning a mystery into something your family can remember.
Some family-history questions may be solved with a single record. Others may take many records, several different research strategies, or DNA evidence before the pieces begin to fit together. Either way, the best result is more than an answer. It is a documented piece of your family's story that can be understood, preserved, and passed on.