Hi, I'm Rhonda!
Thirty-five years ago, my journey into family history began not with curiosity, but with loss. Both of my parents were gone by the time I reached my early twenties — and with them, the answers to a family secret were deliberately taken to the grave. That search changed everything.
I'm Rhonda Roederer, a Louisiana native now calling North Carolina home. What began as a personal mission to uncover the truth became a lifelong passion — and eventually, a calling. Today I teach, inspire, and guide others through the most rewarding journey they'll ever take: their own family history.
My experience spans it all — solving family mysteries, tracing German roots, writing heritage cookbooks, organizing large family reunions and reuniting adoptees with birth families.
My lectures are unlike anything you'll find on a conference schedule. Every one is built on my own real case studies, because storytelling is the key! I take the listener on the journey with me — weaving suspense, surprise, humor, and genuine human emotion into every presentation. Each story comes paired with the tips, tricks, and tools used to reach the goal, covering everything from DNA and military history to slavery, German research, and heritage travel.
I've spoken at local libraries, historical societies, regional conferences, and the world-renowned RootsTech conference. But the venue never matters as much as that moment — when someone walks up afterward and says, "You inspired me to start digging into my family history."
That's my thrill. That's my mission. Bringing families together… one generation at a time.
- Rhonda Roederer, Founder & Genealogist, Heritage With Heart
Book me for a lecture or seminar.
I'd love to speak to your organization or group! I can also help you bring genealogy to community education or library programming. Whether you choose a Family History Detective masterclass or the Coming to America Lecture Series, it’s sure to attract a crowd.
What attendees have to say.
a real contribution
"The Coming to America series is a real contribution to any community as it not only honors the immigrants and their families that share their stories, but it also helps to remind us that we are, perhaps more than others, a country of immigrants.”
– Brian Altobello, Author (Attendee, Coming to America Lecture Series)
contagious enthusiasm
"Rhonda’s enthusiasm is contagious… a very determined seeker. She does whatever it takes to complete her quest. As she relates her adventures, you are swept up in her family story. It inspires you to pursue your family ancestors as fervently as she does.”
– A. Thibodeaux (Attendee, Family History Detective)
no stone unturned
"With knowledge, patience, creativity, and the art of listening to her clients, Rhonda yields great results and leaves no stone unturned. A detective indeed, her dogged determination often reveals unexpected gems of information.”
– D. Ursin (Family History Research Client)
her presentation was the 'why'
"I enjoyed all the talks. The main presentation each night was the “how” of family research. Rhonda’s presentation was the “why…” relating stories of the past is the reason I do what I do."
professional & interesting
"Thank you for your time and effort. The presentations were very professional and interesting. It helped motivate me to move forward in my own search."
a whole new way to see my ancestors
"Thank you for sharing your work with us. It certainly has given me a whole new way to see my ancestors – real vibrant people – not a collection of dusty, boring facts."
Read the blog.
Check out the blog for new genealogy stories, tips, and insights.
Get your free Family History Brainstorming Sheet.
No matter how uninteresting you believe your family to be, there is a saga waiting to be discovered!
Professional genealogy research is unique to each family, depending on location, time period, and records. The availability of vital records varies from region to region. And family research is never really done. The answer to one question can raise even more.
YOU ARE IN CONTROL of just how far down the proverbial rabbit hole your research project will go. Having an understanding of what you’d like to know will narrow the scope of work.
YOU CAN ALSO HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION IN MIND. This yields highly achievable results.
Get your FREE Family History Brainstorming Sheet by clicking below.
