Every family story starts somewhere.
Maybe you’ve inherited a box of photographs with names you don’t recognize. Perhaps you’ve heard the same family story for years but never found the records to support it.
Or maybe you’ve started researching your family tree and reached a point where you’re not sure what to do next.
You don’t need to have all the answers to get started.
At Shakin Trees, we help you ask better questions, understand the records you’ve found, and take the next step in discovering your family history.
Our starter services are designed for curious beginners, independent researchers, and anyone who could use a little direction.
16-Point Family History Check
$49 | Your Personal Research Roadmap
Have a family history question but don’t know where to begin?
Our 16-Point Family History Check takes a closer look at what you already know about one ancestor or research question.
We’ll review the information you provide, identify gaps or details that need verification, and help you determine where to look next.
Think of it as a checkup for your family tree.
What’s included
- A structured review of 16 research checkpoints covering identity, family connections, timelines, records, and research readiness.
- A completed Family History Check report showing what is documented, what needs verification, and what hasn’t been researched.
- A personalized Research Roadmap with three recommended next actions.
- A Researcher’s Note highlighting an important finding, question, or opportunity.
You’ll receive a two-page digital report you can use to guide your next steps.
Not sure what to ask?
That’s okay. We’ll help you narrow your focus.
You might be wondering:
- When did my family arrive in Hawaiʻi?
- Who were my ancestor’s parents?
- Why does my relative appear under different names?
- Where did my family live or work?
- What happened to a relative who disappears from the records?
- Where should I search next?
You’ll choose from a guided menu of research questions when completing your intake form.
Good research begins with a good question.
What to expect
The Family History Check is a preliminary assessment of the information and records you provide. It covers one ancestor or one focused research question.
It does not include independent record searches, comprehensive verification, or construction of a family tree.
Your completed report will identify practical next steps, whether you continue researching independently or decide you’d like additional assistance.
$49 | One ancestor. One focused question. A clearer way forward.
Family History Coaching
$95 | 60-Minute Individual Session
Sometimes you just need someone to work through the records with you.
Our individual coaching sessions offer personalized guidance for your family history research.
Bring your questions, discoveries, documents, or research challenges. We’ll spend an hour working through your priorities and identifying ways to move forward.
Coaching can help you:
- Get started with a family tree.
- Navigate genealogy websites and historical databases.
- Understand census records, passenger lists, and other documents.
- Investigate name variations and conflicting information.
- Organize your research.
- Develop a practical strategy for your next steps.
Coaching is collaborative. You’ll learn research approaches and skills you can continue using on your own.
$95 | 60 minutes | Individual guidance
Shake Your Family Tree
Beginner Genealogy Workshop
Your ancestors left clues. Learn where to look.
Our introductory workshop explores the fundamentals of family history research with a special focus on Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities and historical records.
Through guided exercises, you’ll learn how to organize what you know, identify promising sources, and begin building a research plan.
You’ll explore:
- How to begin with one ancestor.
- Names, dates, places, and family connections.
- Historical records useful for researching Hawaiʻi families.
- Common research challenges and how to approach them.
- How to document discoveries and plan your next steps.
The workshop includes a participant workbook and hands-on activities.
Introductory workshops are in development.
Why Shakin Trees?
Family history is more than collecting names and dates.
It’s understanding the communities our ancestors belonged to, the work they did, the places they lived, and the journeys that brought them together.
Shakin Trees is a Hawaiʻi genealogy and storytelling studio dedicated to helping families explore, document, and preserve their histories.
Our approach combines careful research, historical context, and a belief that every family deserves the opportunity to understand its story.
We welcome families researching Hawaiʻi’s many interconnected communities and ancestral backgrounds.
Ready to shake your family tree?
You don’t need a complete family tree, a subscription to a genealogy website, or years of research experience.
Just bring your curiosity.
Start with a question. Build your legacy.
Shakin Trees | Hawaiʻi Genealogy & Storytelling Studio
