Ancestors unKnown is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 fiscal sponsorship. We rely on tax-deductible donations and grants to expand the reach and impact of our work.
Show your support by making a donation of any size.
Ancestors unKnown students are researching their family histories. If you have experience with genealogy research, you can help them reach their goals.
Whether you want to meet students in-person as a research mentor, or strictly help students with their research online, we could use your help.
Submit your email to get started as a research volunteer
What does a volunteer do?
As a research volunteer, you’ll be on-call to support our students’ research projects. You’re not obligated to complete an assignment until you accept it. So you can assume as much or as little responsibility as you choose.
Here are a few example assignments for a research volunteer:
Online research to locate a student researcher’s ancestor
Recommend the next steps for a student’s genealogy research project
Locate and share information from archives in your local area that a student can’t otherwise access
If you live in the area of a partner school, you could be invited to a classroom to provide research guidance for an individual or small groups of students (background check required)
Not a researcher? No problem!
If you’re not a genealogist, but still want to support the mission of Ancestors unKnown, let us know! Here are some other projects that volunteers help us accomplish:
Translation (mainly English to Dutch)
Marketing
Fundraising
Photography/Videography
Host a Salon
Help us fundraise and raise awareness about Ancestors unKnown by hosting a small gathering in your local community.
An Ancestors unKnown Salon gives you a chance to introduce your friends, family and colleagues to our work. You’ll also incite wonderful conversations about family history, education and community engagement.
Email us for more information about hosting a salon.
Sponsor Students
Fundraise locally to sponsor one or more schools or after-school programs in your community that want to work with Ancestors unKnown.
Arrange an event or activity that invites students, families, educators and other members of your community to have fun and raise money.
Here are just a few fundraising ideas:
Book sale. Partner with a local bookstore to host a fundraising event that highlights books about “untold histories” and genealogy research!
Arts performance. Get in touch with a local arts center, drama or dance group, or any other creatives to plan a fundraising event.
Quiz night. Host a fun gathering that tests people’s knowledge about history and raises money.
Bake sale. A good ‘ole fashioned bake sale is a great fundraiser.
Email us for more information about sponsoring Ancestors unKnown in your local community.
The first way to get involved! Subscribe to our Newsletter.
