Genealogy Wish Grants 2026 Is Now Open: Your Chance to Make a Family History Wish Come True

Genealogy Wish Grants 2026 is now open—apply for a chance to have your family history wish granted

Genealogy Wish Grants 2026 Is Now Open: Your Chance to Make a Family History Wish Come True

What if this was the year everything finally came together?
The missing piece.
The long-standing brick wall.
The answer you’ve been searching for, sometimes for years.
Every family historian has that one question… the one that lingers no matter how many records you search or how many clues you follow.
✨ This is your chance to take that next step.
The Genealogy Wish Grants Program for 2026 is now officially open, and once again, one story will be selected and one genealogy wish will be granted, just in time for Christmas.
Each year, I read through heartfelt stories, complex research challenges, and deeply personal journeys. And each year, one of those stories becomes something more: a breakthrough, a discovery, a connection that may not have happened otherwise.​
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to share your story… this may be it.

​🌿 What Is the Genealogy Wish Grants Program?

The Genealogy Wish Grants Program is an annual initiative that awards one recipient with focused genealogy research based on their specific wish and research goals.
The selected recipient will receive up to 10 hours of professional genealogy research, tailored to their unique case.
Depending on the nature of the project, this may include:

• A summary of findings (written or verbal)
• Grouped and analyzed DNA matches (if applicable)
• Access to a research-based family tree with sources and citations

While genealogy always comes with unknowns, and results can sometimes be inconclusive, the goal is to provide meaningful progress, new insights, and a clearer path forward.

​📅 Important Dates for 2026

• Applications Opened: April 21, 2026
• Application Deadline: November 11, 2026
• Winner Announced: Between December 14–23, 2026  

​📝 How to Apply

Submitting your application is simple.
Visit the Genealogy Wish Grants Program page and complete your entry through the Contact form by selecting “Genealogy Wish Grants Application.”
Your application should include:

• Your contact information (email and phone number)
• A paragraph-style backstory explaining your genealogy journey
• A clear explanation of your genealogy wish and why it matters to you

​🕵️‍♀️ What Makes a Strong Application?

Each entry is carefully reviewed and selected based on three key factors:
1️⃣ Agreement to all program rules
2️⃣ A feasible research request
3️⃣ A compelling and meaningful story
The strongest applications go beyond just stating a goal; they tell the story behind the research. What have you already discovered? What challenges have you faced? Why does this particular wish matter to you or your family?

​💚 A Few Important Notes

To ensure the best possible outcome, selected projects should align with my areas of expertise, which include:

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

Please note that this program does not include a full formal research report or unlimited research time, and findings may vary depending on the complexity of the case. 

​✨ Looking Ahead

Each year, the Genealogy Wish Grants Program has led to meaningful discoveries, emotional breakthroughs, and stories that might not have been uncovered otherwise.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to take the next step in your family history journey, this may be it.

​👉 Ready to Apply?

Take the time to reflect on your story, define your wish, and submit your application before the deadline.
🔗 Apply here: Genealogy Wish Grants Program

Apply Here

“Want to see past winners and their stories?”

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner