Paul Heinegg
Called "the world's expert on the Free Black population in the US" by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Author of seminal multi-volume works documenting over 1,100 FPOC families.
Ayo Heinegg Magwood
Specialist in enslaved family lineages and breaking through 1870 Brick walls.
Grounds 18th- & 19th-century record analysis in African American historical context.
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Uncover your enslaved African American and Free People of Color (FPOC) Ancestors
Pioneering research on Free People of Color (FPOC) and advanced methodologies for tracing enslaved ancestors from the colonial era to the 20th century.
Research Services
Genealogy Inquiry
A focused investigation of a specific research challenge, such as proving descent from a suspected ancestor or identifying an unknown relative. Contextualized with relevant historical details where helpful.
Cost: $30 per hour. Paid upfront.
Deliverables: A 2–3 page report with footnote citations, screenshots of selected records, hyperlinks to cited records, and a Google Drive folder of records.
Family History Report
This services one or more family lines using vital records, census, land deeds, probate, enslavement, Freedmen’s Bureau, Homestead, Civil War pension files, and newspaper archives. Contextualized with relevant historical, geographic, and ethno-cultural history.
Cost: Fixed flat fee for the full report. 50% deposit due upfront, remaining 50% due upon delivery.
Deliverables: 10-20 page report with footnote citations, screenshots of selected records, hyperlinks to cited records, and a Google folder of records.
Process and Payment
We start with an initial 15-minute review to determine whether there are records to search. No Charge.
Based on this initial assessment, we will present options for proceeding.
We agree on which direction(s) we should pursue, and for how many hours.
We prepare and deliver the report.
Terms of Service
Genealogical research outcomes vary based on the availability of historical records and unique family circumstances like location or surname. This is especially true for African American genealogy. Thus, research might yield limited information, contradict long-held family stories, or disprove a presumed family connection. Payment covers the time and expertise required to search and analyze these records, so client fees are billed for research labor rather than guaranteed results.
Testimonials
Working with Paul and Ayo helped me to get beyond the 1870 wall to locate ancestors I was hard pressed to discover on my own. I am so appreciative of their expertise, professionalism, and helpfulness in locating documents in slave schedules, Freedmen's Bureau records, land deeds, and local historical press. The genealogy they produced helped me answer several questions and raised others for a history nerd like me to explore.” M. Johnston
"I was amazed at how meticulous Paul and Ayo were and how much they found based on limited information. The quality and precision of their work was reminiscent of Annette Gordon-Reed’s detailed research on Jefferson. Their work is invaluable to Black families as they place it within the broader context of African American and Caribbean history. My father was rendered speechless by the results, which isn't easy to do for such a reticent and staid man!" Curt Harris
“Paul's passion for genealogy shines through in the meticulous quality of his work. He has a knack for connecting dots that others might miss, and his willingness to go down rabbit holes to find the most elusive answers is truly commendable.” Whitney Coleman
“Paul’s report was concise with excellent illuminating details and linked documents embedded in the narrative. I will continue to have Paul explore my genealogical brick walls. I am very grateful for his expert assistance.” M. B. Baker