The little dream
I've always loved family stories and the mystery of what came before. Researching people's histories sounded fascinating, long before I knew how to begin.
The person behind the paper trail
Hi, I'm Aubree.
I'm a writer, a family-history enthusiast, and the founder of Summers Past Genealogy—a research studio I'm thoughtfully building from a lifelong curiosity about the people who came before us.
I believe there's something extraordinary about holding an old record and realizing that a name on the page was once an entire life. And I'm not afraid of an unsolved mystery.
✦ Independent research practice in development · Not yet accepting clients
Aubree Summers
Founder · Curious by nature
A story in every recordRoots · Research · Discovery
The wonder of history The patience of research The joy of discovery
01 / How it began
A small dream.
A very big rabbit hole.
Genealogy had always intrigued me. But for a long time, it was one of those dreams I kept tucked away—something I thought would be wonderful to do someday. I never expected a novel I was writing to lead me into the real thing.
A character named Kennedy
While writing In the Margins, I created Kennedy, a genealogist whose work reflected a dream of my own. The story gave that old fascination a new spark.
My mother's family
I began investigating my mother's ancestry. What started with a few names became census records, marriage entries, probate books, archivist correspondence, and questions I couldn't put down.
Summers Past
Some ancestors proved elusive. To my surprise, even the frustrating parts were fun. That love of the investigation inspired me to start building Summers Past Genealogy.
The joy isn't only in finding the answer. It's in caring enough to keep following the clues.
What keeps me searching
02 / My approach
Curious minds.
Careful records.
The principles guiding the practice I'm building.
Evidence over assumptions.
A family story is a starting point, not a verdict. I look for original records, compare sources, and make room for conflicting details.
Honesty about the unknown.
Sometimes the most responsible conclusion is “not proven yet.” I want clients to understand both what the records establish and where the search could go next.
People, not just pedigrees.
Behind every document is a human story. Research deserves patience, thoughtful communication, and respect for living relatives and sensitive discoveries.
Our mission & vision
Rooted in truth.
Led by compassion.
We honor every family's story—the beautiful chapters, the difficult questions, and everything in between.
What we do and why
Our Mission
At Summers Past Genealogy, our mission is to help individuals and families discover, understand, and preserve the stories of those who came before them. Through careful research, thoughtful documentation, and a commitment to historical accuracy, we uncover meaningful connections between the past and present.
We believe every family history deserves to be explored with curiosity, compassion, integrity, and respect—not only the easy stories, but the difficult and complicated ones as well. We are committed to approaching family secrets, painful truths, unanswered questions, and messy histories with sensitivity, honesty, and care. Our goal is not simply to collect names and dates, but to honor the real lives and legacies behind them.
What we hope to build
Our Vision
To build a trusted and compassionate genealogy practice where every family story is treated as worthy of discovery, understanding, and preservation.
We envision a future where individuals and families feel empowered to explore their roots, ask difficult questions, uncover forgotten histories, and better understand the people and circumstances that shaped their lives.
Through dedication to historical accuracy, ethical research, and genuine human connection, we aspire to make family history more accessible, meaningful, and lasting for generations to come.
Our guiding belief
We believe the truth matters, even when the story is messy.
Our core values
The promises behind our research.
These seven principles guide the research studio we are building and the care we intend to bring to every family story.
Truth & Integrity
We believe the truth matters, even when the story is messy. We follow the evidence wherever it leads, presenting our findings honestly without altering, embellishing, or concealing uncomfortable historical realities.
Compassion Without Judgment
Every family has a unique history, and not every chapter is easy to tell. We approach sensitive discoveries, painful experiences, and complicated family relationships with empathy, dignity, and respect. We believe people deserve to understand their histories without shame or judgment.
Historical Accuracy & Responsible Research
We are committed to thorough research, reliable sources, careful documentation, and evidence-based conclusions. We distinguish established facts from possibilities and acknowledge when the historical record leaves questions unanswered.
Curiosity & Courage
We believe even the most difficult questions deserve thoughtful investigation. We are not afraid to explore family mysteries, long-held secrets, conflicting accounts, or unexpected discoveries. We approach every question with an open mind and a determination to understand the evidence.
Privacy & Respect
Family history can reveal deeply personal information. We are committed to treating our clients, their relatives, and their stories with discretion, sensitivity, and respect. We recognize the importance of confidentiality, informed consent, and responsible handling of sensitive information.
Transparency & Trust
Our clients deserve to understand our research process, our findings, and our limitations. We believe in honest communication, clearly defined services, fair pricing, and realistic expectations. We will never promise discoveries that the available evidence cannot guarantee.
Preservation & Connection
Behind every historical record is a human life. We believe genealogy is about more than assembling a family tree; it is about understanding experiences, preserving memories, and connecting past generations with those who come after them.
03 / Notes from my research desk
Meet the mystery
that wouldn't let go.
One of my earliest deep investigations centered on Martha Harris, who married Hiram Harris in Ripley County, Indiana, in 1821. Her possible parentage led me through Revolutionary War pension papers, land records, old probate books, and conversations with generous archivists and fellow descendants.
We're still evaluating the evidence. I haven't claimed a parent-child relationship that the surviving documents don't conclusively establish—and that, to me, is part of the responsibility of doing this work carefully.
A private practice investigation. No living-relative details or unpublished third-party research are shared here.
See the field notesSummers Past · Research notes · Case 001
The Parentage of
Martha Harris
Known: Hiram Harris and Martha Harris married in Ripley County, Indiana, in 1821.
Question: Can her parents be identified from surviving evidence?
Status: Investigation ongoing.
Question: Can her parents be identified from surviving evidence?
Status: Investigation ongoing.
The story continues
Every family has a past.
Let's discover yours.
Summers Past Genealogy is currently in development. For now, explore our proposed research services and prepare your family-history question at your own pace.
No bookings or payments are being accepted through this prototype.