The little dream
I've always loved family stories and the mystery of what came before. Researching people's histories sounded fascinating, long before I knew how to begin.
The person behind the paper trail
Hi, I'm Aubree.
I'm a writer, a family-history enthusiast, and the founder of Summers Past Genealogy—a research studio I'm thoughtfully building from a lifelong curiosity about the people who came before us.
I believe there's something extraordinary about holding an old record and realizing that a name on the page was once an entire life. And I'm not afraid of an unsolved mystery.
✦ Independent research practice in development · Not yet accepting clients
Aubree Summers
Founder · Curious by nature
A story in every recordRoots · Research · Discovery
The wonder of history The patience of research The joy of discovery
01 / How it began
A small dream.
A very big rabbit hole.
Genealogy had always intrigued me. But for a long time, it was one of those dreams I kept tucked away—something I thought would be wonderful to do someday. I never expected a novel I was writing to lead me into the real thing.
A character named Kennedy
While writing In the Margins, I created Kennedy, a genealogist whose work reflected a dream of my own. The story gave that old fascination a new spark.
My mother's family
I began investigating my mother's ancestry. What started with a few names became census records, marriage entries, probate books, archivist correspondence, and questions I couldn't put down.
Summers Past
Some ancestors proved elusive. To my surprise, even the frustrating parts were fun. That love of the investigation inspired me to start building Summers Past Genealogy.
The joy isn't only in finding the answer. It's in caring enough to keep following the clues.
What keeps me searching
02 / My approach
Curious minds.
Careful records.
The principles guiding the practice I'm building.
Evidence over assumptions.
A family story is a starting point, not a verdict. I look for original records, compare sources, and make room for conflicting details.
Honesty about the unknown.
Sometimes the most responsible conclusion is “not proven yet.” I want clients to understand both what the records establish and where the search could go next.
People, not just pedigrees.
Behind every document is a human story. Research deserves patience, thoughtful communication, and respect for living relatives and sensitive discoveries.
03 / Notes from my research desk
Meet the mystery
that wouldn't let go.
One of my earliest deep investigations centered on Martha Harris, who married Hiram Harris in Ripley County, Indiana, in 1821. Her possible parentage led me through Revolutionary War pension papers, land records, old probate books, and conversations with generous archivists and fellow descendants.
We're still evaluating the evidence. I haven't claimed a parent-child relationship that the surviving documents don't conclusively establish—and that, to me, is part of the responsibility of doing this work carefully.
A private practice investigation. No living-relative details or unpublished third-party research are shared here.
See the field notesSummers Past · Research notes · Case 001
The Parentage of
Martha Harris
Known: Hiram Harris and Martha Harris married in Ripley County, Indiana, in 1821.
Question: Can her parents be identified from surviving evidence?
Status: Investigation ongoing.
Question: Can her parents be identified from surviving evidence?
Status: Investigation ongoing.
The story continues
Every family has a past.
Let's discover yours.
Summers Past Genealogy is currently in development. For now, explore our proposed research services and prepare your family-history question at your own pace.
No bookings or payments are being accepted through this prototype.