Apply Now: The 2025 Genealogy Wish Grants Program Is Still Open!

Apply now for the 2025 Genealogy Wish Grants Program before November 11!

Have you ever wished for a little help breaking through a tough genealogy brick wall or finding that missing piece of your family story? 🌿 The Genealogy Wish Grants Program is your chance to make that wish come true — and there’s still time to apply before the November 11, 2025 deadline!

The Genealogy Wish Grants initiative is a unique opportunity I created for those who are truly passionate about uncovering their family history. Each year, one devoted follower is selected and awarded a personalized genealogy research wish within practical limits, just in time for Christmas. It’s my way of giving back to the genealogy community — by helping someone dig deeper into their roots, uncover ancestral stories, and connect with their past in a meaningful way.

✨ What the Program Offers

The chosen recipient receives up to 10 hours of professional genealogy research focused on their specific wish. Depending on the project, that may include a summary of findings (either written or verbal), grouped and noted DNA matches (if applicable), and access to a built tree with sources and citations.

While findings may sometimes be inconclusive (as with all genealogy), each grant is designed to move the recipient closer to their goal — whether that’s breaking through a long-standing brick wall, finding living relatives, or uncovering new family connections through DNA analysis.

📅 Important Dates for 2025

• Entry/Application Start Date: April 18, 2025
• Entry/Application Deadline: November 11, 2025
• Winner Announced: Between December 15–23, 2025

📋 How to Apply

Applying is simple — just visit my Genealogy Wish Grants Program page and submit your entry through the Contact form (choose “Genealogy Wish Grants Application” from the dropdown).
Your entry must include:

• Your email and phone number for contact purposes
• A paragraph-style backstory sharing your genealogy journey and what your wish means to you
• Confirmation that you are a loyal follower of Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family — whether that’s through following, commenting, or sharing content from my Facebook page, Facebook groups, blog, or newsletter

🕵️‍♀️ What Makes a Strong Entry

Every year, the winner is chosen based on three key factors:
1️⃣ Agreement to all rules
2️⃣ A feasible application
3️⃣ A compelling story

​A strong entry tells the story behind your research — what you’ve discovered so far, what challenges you’ve faced, and why this particular wish matters to you and your family.

💚 A Few Notes

Please keep in mind that I specialize in:

• Descendancy research
• Living people search
• Brick wall research
• Unknown parentage research
• DNA match grouping (AncestryDNA only)
• Traditional genealogy research

​While I don’t specialize in lineage research or every time period or location, I’ll do my best to take on a project that fits within my expertise and the program’s scope.

There’s still time to share your story, refine your wish, and submit your entry before the November 11 deadline. I can’t wait to read your stories and see where your family history journey leads.

​👉 Apply or update your entry today: Genealogy Wish Grants Program

Apply Here