Currently accepting clients for...

• DNA
• Family History Research
• Writing /Publishing
• Other Speciality

Your Family Tree Detective: Uncovering Stories Worth Telling

Got Skeletons in Your Closet? Let's Find Them!

Every family has mysteries—that great-aunt who "went to California" and never returned, or the uncle whose war stories never quite added up. As a professional genealogist I've spent over 15 years turning family whispers into documented history, and trust me, the truth is usually more fascinating than fiction.

From Newsroom to Family Room

What makes a genealogist tick? In my case, it started in the storytelling trenches as a communications director at the University of South Florida and producer for PBS/WEDU-TV in Tampa. I cut my teeth crafting compelling narratives that kept viewers glued to their screens—now I use those same skills to bring your ancestors' stories to life.

My background isn't your typical genealogy path. I taught Writing Level IV English for Academic Purposes, which means I know how to dig deep into research and present it in ways that actually make sense (and keep you awake). Think of me as part ancestry investigator, part historian, and part family therapist—minus the couch.

Your Family's Story Deserves the Hollywood Treatment

Imagine opening a beautifully preserved collection that doesn't just list names and dates, but tells the real stories:

• How your great-grandmother survived the 1918 flu pandemic
• Why your grandfather really left Ireland (spoiler: it probably wasn't just for "better opportunities")
• The love letters that reveal your ancestors were just as funny, flawed, and fascinating as you are

With my expertise in genealogy research techniques, evidence analysis, and document preservation, I don't just find facts—I weave them into narratives that transform strangers from the past into the remarkable people they actually were.

Ready to Meet Your Ancestors?

Stop wondering about your family's mysteries and start discovering their stories. Your ancestry isn't just dates and places—it's adventures, romances, triumphs, and yes, probably a few scandals too.

Let's uncover, preserve, and celebrate your family's history together. Because every family tree has roots worth exploring—and stories worth telling.

Contact me at Ancestry Investigator today, and let's turn your family mystery into your family legacy.

Geographic Specialities

With offices in Mexico, Michigan, Florida, and Texas, I serve genealogy clients across the United States and am now welcoming clients throughout Mexico as well. Leveraging comprehensive online archives and an extensive professional network, I tackle family-history puzzles wherever the trail leads. My core expertise spans the United States and Canada, plus English- and Spanish-speaking regions with robust record sets—including Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and Australia. I also bring hands-on experience researching French, German, Italian, Scandinavian, and Dominican Republic lines.

Testimonials
I first contacted Kimberly Tucker about eight years ago when I was researching relatives in Tampa, FL. A reference librarian at the Tampa library referred me to local genealogists, and Kimberly seemed to be the one with the expertise I needed. She proved to be a winner in all respects.

Kimberly and I worked together for several years, as the research developed into a book. In every aspect of our collaboration, I found her to be professional, very well qualified, talented in finding answers to very tough questions, even-tempered and good-humored.

I can recommend her without reservation! – Ann Wagner Bundgaard, Professor Emerita – St. Olaf College

She taught a well-regarded, excellent course on Beginning Genealogy for older adults for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of South Florida. Not only was she superbly prepared, she was able to adjust her teaching and preparations to work effectively with this audience. Students appreciated her “extensive knowledge” and experience and uniformly felt the class exceeded their expectations. We look forward to more from her! – Aracelis Rogers, Client, USF Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

She did a tremendous job in helping me to discover my heritage on both sides of my family tree. She is very pleasant to work with and has an engaging personality. She is a hard worker and is very intelligent. I recommend her without any reservations. – Bill Young, Ph.D., Client

She is very resourceful and knows the best methods of researching family history. In a short time, she found more than I could in a year. She is excellent and very professional. – Damon Scott Drake, Client

You did such a good job with my mother's family history. – Susan Elbare, Client

Wow!! This is amazing. Everything is accurate plus things I never knew. – James L. Paul, Ph.D., Client

Additional specialities or search keywords
heir research help, dna match help, lineage society help, heir search services, court records help,

Publications/Media

1. Searching for Aunt Dot: Surprised by a Lutheran Woman’s Story (Lutheran University Press, 2019).
2. Monthly Column, “Perstorian," Newsletter, Association of Personal Historians. Topics: Infusing personal histories with genealogy, creating websites.
3. Tucker and DeLong, “Transforming learning,” USF, Fall (2008).

Repositories

• John F. Germany Genealogy Collection, Tampa, Florida
• University of South Florida, Special Collections
• Library of Congress
• National Archives and Records Administration
• Family History Library
• Many others*

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century
• 16th Century and Earlier

Languages

• English, Native
• French, Basic
• German, Basic
• Spanish, Basic

Degrees

• M.Ed., 2009 Curriculum & Instruction, Secondary Education/Applied Linguistics, University of South Florida. Specialization: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• B.A., 1996 Mass Communication, University of Tampa