Meryl Schumacker, Certified Genealogist®
Meryl Schumacker is a Board-certified professional genealogist. She specializes in New York City genealogy from the 17th to the 20th centuries, and Jewish genealogy in the United States and Europe. She also helps clients discover their ancestry using DNA evidence, in cases ranging from recent unknown parentage to 18th-century admixture (“ethnicity estimate”) research.
Formerly the genealogist for the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Meryl has compiled multigenerational family histories and located elusive ancestors for private clients, biographers, nonprofits, and corporations. Her work has been published in the peer-reviewed journal, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, as well as NGS Magazine and the APG Quarterly. She has contributed research to The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central), Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC), and several biographies.
Meryl earned the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ Certified Genealogist® credential in 2018. She completed continuing education in methodology and advanced genetic genealogy through Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate Program, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). In 2017, Meryl was awarded the Walter Lee Sheppard Jr. Prize (BCG/IGHR) and the Association of Professional Genealogists’ Young Professional Scholarship. She serves on the editorial staff for Onboard, published quarterly by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
Meryl is an alumna of Carleton College. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG).
Follow Meryl on Instagram, Bluesky, and her blog. Her literary agent is Jessica Friedman at Sterling Lord Literistic. Meryl is not currently accepting new clients.
Reviews
Hear from past clients about We Go Way Back LLC
My husband gave me the extraordinary present of a family history book by Meryl
I have always wanted to know more about my family’s origins in Eastern Europe but was never able to figure out how to do it until my husband gave me the extraordinary present of a family history book by Meryl.
Throughout the process, Meryl has been a pleasure to work with - professional, responsive, thoughtful, and clear about options and prices. And I now have an incredible work of personal history that I can share with my children, parents, and brother.
I cannot recommend Meryl highly enough!
- Katherine G., Brooklyn, NY
Meryl was able to do in 15 hours of research what another company. . . couldn’t do in 30 hours
I highly recommend hiring Meryl [Schumacker], CG of WE GO WAY BACK to do any genealogy research for you.
This modern-day Sherlock Holmes is pleasant to work with and listens to your concerns. She is very thorough and highly proficient at what she does. I had a need to hire a good genealogist to break down my brick wall with my 2nd great-grandfather. I was trying to establish who his actual parents were. The various census showed that he was born in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Even his obituary said he was born on Staten Island. In 15 hours of research Meryl found that he was born in Philadelphia. She established who his correct parents were and provided information that he had 4 siblings.
Meryl was able to do in 15 hours of research what another company, I had previously hired to do this same research, couldn’t do in 30 hours. I will plan to hire Meryl [Schumacker] again for additional research on my family tree.
- David Houseman, East Syracuse
It was wonderful when she emailed me her report. . . and There was my answer
I was looking for a genealogist to help me discover where my grandfather was born. He was an orphan, and no one was able to nail down the answer. My father asked me to research it, and I spent a good bit of time looking for a definitive answer but came up empty.
I did a search to find a professional genealogist, and I came across this wonderful site with helpful blogs that were so well done. I looked around for a genealogist, but I always returned back to the We Go Way Back site.
I contacted Meryl, and she was so professional and I understood exactly how the process would work. I am a realist, so I knew that she might not be able to help me find my needle in a haystack. Well... it was wonderful when she emailed me her report. It was so thorough, and there was my answer. I only wish that I had found her four years ago so that my dad would have had his answer. It was the best thing that I did during the pandemic and worth every penny!
- C. Gorman-Sage, Washington, D.C.
She uncovered a distant marriage certificate that had eluded other relatives for years
I highly recommend Meryl for discovering whatever genealogy records you may need in New York City or even, in my case, New Jersey.
I had almost given up finding certain family records for a foreign citizenship application. As with most families, despite best intentions, dates, names and places are often not recalled correctly leading to formidable obstacles when researching our past. That was certainly the case with me.
Piecing together what I did know with an eye on what I really needed for my application, Meryl keenly steered a patient yet determined path through the government archives of New York City and New Jersey to retrieve all the required records. In one instance, she uncovered a distant marriage certificate that had eluded other relatives for years. Beyond its use by me, it was satisfying for my relatives to finally have it in hand.
Thanks again Meryl for the good work.
- Tom S., Washington, D.C.
I would like to commend We Go Way Back for the amazing work
As an attorney for 27 years who regularly conducts research and writes and gather's evidence for reports I would like to commend We Go Way Back for the amazing work done by its founder Meryl Schumacker; after a decades long search for my great grand father's final resting place the search is over. Thank You.
- J. David Nick, Palm Springs, CA
She was able to provide me with exactly what I needed
To anyone needing historical or genealogical research conducted in the New York City area, I wholeheartedly recommend Meryl Schumacker!
I myself have 37 years of research experience; but even "experts" need assistance now and then. In my case, I needed someone in Manhattan to examine documents in person that were unavailable online. I searched for someone with both experience and credibility and selected Meryl from a long list of contenders. As expected, her assistance proved superior and she was able to provide me with exactly what I needed in a most professional and efficient manner.
Thank you, Meryl. Much appreciated!
- Michael Tormey, Saint Petersburg, FL
Very professional, timely and answered all of my questions thoroughly
I certainly would endorse you for helping people find out about their family backgrounds!
I really appreciate your help-you were very professional, timely and answered all of my questions thoroughly. If I need further information in the future, I wouldn’t hesitate to contact you again.
- Barbara