Heidi is a Case Manager and Genetic Genealogist. Heidi is blessed to have her most pleasurable pastimes also become her life’s pursuit. She truly loves to search, then solve. She will diligently search until she uncovers the elusive truth. Whether she is solving puzzles, scrutinizing records to identify one’s unknown relative, catching a criminal in a true crime paperback, or trying to outsmart fleeting fish in the Gulf of Mexico, she is always enthralled with the chase. Heidi is compelled, even destined, to search, collect, investigate, identify, catch, and solve. It’s thrilling! There aren’t too many adrenaline junkies who also have the patience of an Angler for that satisfying, final “gotcha” moment, “case closed.” Essentially, her professional goal is to challenge herself and connect with people so she may make a meaningful difference in their lives, and in her own.
There were two inescapable moments in Heidi’s life when many of her proficient talents and passions intertwined, electrifying her heart, soul, and mind. Both times she was captive to her curiosity, and inspired to serve others by becoming a Genetic Genealogist someday. This decision would forevermore influence her lifestyle, impact her career and family, plus invariably changed her destiny.
The first instance was in Heidi’s hometown at the newly built, remarkable, San Antonio Central Library during the hot summer of 1995. Heidi tagged along with her older sister, the family historian, up to the air conditioned sixth floor to explore The Texana Genealogy Department. Immediately, she was mesmerized by the vast amount of collections and databases. Over 10,000 square feet of historic records held her willingly hostage, while hunting for docs on her pioneer ancestors. She was spellbound; time stood still while running reels of microfiche. She left the library having caught a pretty big catch for the day. Heidi felt inspired and was confident she found her passion.
The Angels sang for a second time when a different sister longed to identify her adult daughter placed for adoption at birth. The three sisters DNA tested across the popular sites. Five months later, so did Heidi’s niece! However, identifing the bio father would require the skills of an undercover sleuth. Heidi fed bait to lure the bio father out from a large family of brothers. She caught the big one; he bit, hook, line and sinker, to his and everyone’s elation! Solving this nearly thirty year personal family mystery, marked the moment she knew she had a gift to solve cases. Heidi was hooked! She committed to her quest to learn more, enhance her skills, and became a volunteer Search Angel.
A graduate of Weatherford College, Heidi has more than fifteen years’ experience as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. A major turning point in her life and career came when she married her soulmate. They live in rural Texas and she works part-time as an accountant for their commercial construction business. Together they have a blended family of five adult daughters and four grandchildren. Being an avid Saltwater Angler, one may identify Heidi with family and friends, patiently trying to catch another big one, at sea or online!
Heidi is honored to be a volunteer Search Angel and also enjoys being an Intake Specialist for DNAngels. She is a member of The International Society of Genetic Genealogists, (ISOGG) and various other groups. Heidi often attends webinars or workshops, and has taken courses in Autosomal DNA, triangulation, etc. She brings knowledge, experience, and a superior set of reasoning, analyzing and social skills to every DNA case, justifying Heidi as a stellar Search Angel, sterling researcher and sharp detective. Helping others, as a Search Angel is addicting, once your heart becomes adrenalized, soul euphoric, and mind challenged. It’s a win-win!
