Welcome to Roots To Return
Reclaim your history, reconnect with your heritage, walk your legacy as an act of remembrance, and return home to who you truly are.
Meet Your Genealogy Guide
Hi, I'm Kelly McCoy — genealogist, storyteller, and your guide on this journey back to your roots.
I started Roots To Return because I believe that knowing where you come from changes how you move through the world.
Family history isn't just about names and dates. It's about understanding the forces that shaped you — the migrations, the sacrifices, the silences, and the stories that were almost lost. When you find those threads and follow them, something shifts.
With over 20 years of experience researching and studying family history and planning ancestral and cultural heritage travel, I assist individuals and families on a meaningful journey to explore their roots and preserve their family heritage.
My work centers on uncovering the rich tapestry of diverse backgrounds, especially Black ancestry and history in the Midwest and Western United States — communities whose histories have often been fragmented, overlooked, or buried beneath systems that were never designed to preserve them.
That's exactly why this work matters.
How I work
Every family history journey I guide is shaped around you — your goals, your questions, and the story you're ready to uncover.
My approach brings care, cultural humility, and deep research experience to every project.
Exploring family history is an emotional journey, and my goal is to support you throughout this process. I help you foster connections, find healing, and confidently engage with your roots. Imagine tracing your origin story, where discovering your ancestral roots transforms your understanding of self. Through exploring and reclaiming family histories, this journey goes beyond the past—we unveil the powerful bonds with our ancestors, living forces within us who shape who we truly are.
Together, we create a space for you to engage with your family history in a meaningful way and take ownership of your unfolding narrative. Whether you're ready to trace your roots, build your family tree, or stand on the ground your ancestors once walked — I'd love to help you get there.
Ready to begin?
The first conversation is free, easy, and completely without pressure. Let’s talk about your family story and what feels possible from here.
My promise is to unearth your roots, honor your family history, and help you return to your ancestral places.
Core Values
Dignity & Respect
I value the emotional bonds that individuals share with their families and respect the diversity of their backgrounds.
Integrity & Intention
I am transparent and truthful in all communications and findings. And ensure that your family's goals are the driving force behind our purposeful actions.
Compassion & Empathy
I foster a nurturing and respectful environment where individuals can explore their family history, uncover insights about their origins, and effectively navigate the emotional complexities that may arise from their discoveries.
Quality & Excellence
I tailor my work to honor your specific goals, ensuring that research is focused and expectations are consistently met. We take the time to thoroughly research and understand each family's history. I uphold the highest ethical standards and strive for exceptional quality in all I do.
I am committed to elevating our stories, making space for every voice, preserving and honoring the rich tapestry of Black history alongside all our histories. Together, we strengthen our legacy and keep our heritage alive and growing.
Affiliations & Memberships
