Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcy Bachelor.
Hi Marcy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
What began in 2005, after the death of my grandmother Lydia Horacio, has blossomed into a greater adventure than I could have ever imagined. Budget Genealogy was once known as the “Tree of Life.” The first tree created is called Generations of Time, now consists of over 4000+ names and is growing! Several ancestors have been traced back to 1700s and beyond in France, Germany, Venezuela, Spain, the Netherlands, and Africa.
My grandmother Lydia passed away in 2005 in her Bronx apt. While my family and I were sorting through her belongings, I realized how much I didn’t know about her life and family. I remember sitting beside her going through old photo albums. She shared stories in her native tongue, Spanish, as we looked at each picture. So sadly, because I am not fluent in the language, I felt what she had shared with me was utterly lost.
Or was it?
Looking back, I think of her imparting a special blessing to me, one that she knew I would one day delve into, welcome, and walk in; a path dedicated to preserving our family history. Her Bible was the starting point. Of all my grandmother’s belongings that I could choose to bring back with me, what drew me most was her worn, black leather-bound bible and another religious book. Hidden inside was a funeral card with a name I had never heard of William Horacio Vargas. William, I learned, was her father, my great-grandfather. The first clue.
Months later… after I had forgotten about the other book, on a particular day, I felt drawn to it, pulled. When I opened it up, numbers were written across on the first page. “Why did she write these numbers down?” I thought to myself.
With both of my grandparents gone and no known family history, I was surprised to learn the mystery numbers were their Social Security IDs which then led to their applications. The applications gave their full names, birthdates, birth places, both parent’s names, where their parents were from, and more vital information. The second clue.
This was key to the beginning of my genealogy quest.
It all started with my own family, building our tree, one branch at a time. Every clue led to new discoveries and family lines. Connections with lost family. Oral stories considered myth or legend proven reality! A rich and colorful family history and a few ancestors remaining hidden waiting to be discovered. There’s an Indian princess and ancestors who met Columbus on the shore. Young Spanish maidens and a bishop knighted by the Queen of Spain. French settlers in New Orleans. The Jews who survived the Spanish Inquisition in 1492. The President of Venezuela and his family who fled to Puerto Rico during the War of Independence in early 1800s. The African slaves and highly suspect white slaves too. There are stories of pirates, storytellers and writers, witch doctors, the wealthy and prominent settlers falling in love with the despised and rejected lower class (the poor and minority), family dramas, and political wars.
And it doesn’t end.
During my years researching my own family history, I joined a local genealogy group. Soon after, I was asked to lead the group, and it was then that I met my genealogy partner, Tom Kenagy. Together we co-founded Genealogy Detectives. Through Genealogy Detectives is where Budget Genealogy initiated, and I had my first client. Since then, I have completed over 33+ genealogy cases and managed several of my clients’ DNA accounts, connecting them to their genetic family.
Fast forward 18 years later… on 5 February 2022, my firstborn son, Joshua Baez, at 23 years old, passed away as a result of his injuries from a tragic head-on collision. My world completely shattered. I couldn’t imagine moving forward and living without him. He was my greatest support in life and always believed in me. He celebrated every accomplishment and cheered me on with every challenge. Always by my side through all of life’s trials and victories. Now he was gone. As I faced my new life, I made a decision to embrace this unexpected journey… I found within me a fire that cannot be contained. Every day, every moment I feel it burn brighter and drive me to do more, become more, give more, love more, and live more. My faith anchored me from day 1, and every day since after my loss, I learned not only to survive but to thrive. The areas of his life where he was most talented and skilled as a graphic and website designer, I soon taught myself to do also. Every step forward, I feel his pride, and his beautiful smile light up my soul. Where I had left off when the accident happened, I picked up in early Fall and developed within just a few months a firm foundation for my business and one that continues to grow as I too grow.
Today as I write this, I am ready to take this journey to the next level. Trusting God every step of the way moving forward. I invite you and others to partner with me as our ancestors resurface from the dusty old pages, stored in a web-covered chest, forgotten in musty basements and attics… waiting in silence to be found… for their stories to be told and their lines to flow once again in us, through us, down into the ages yet to come. And not just their stories, but our stories, and his story… I will tell and share with the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I shared in my story about the loss of my son… that was by far the greatest struggle and is today. Last month was the one-year anniversary of his death. One year…and as I look back at this time, I myself am left in awe of where I am and what I have done. I cannot take any credit for any of it. I give it all to my Savior, Jesus… my faith gets me through each and every day and strengthens me to continue to press on and move ahead. In fact, MOVE BEYOND! I build, and I build, and I build. But no matter how far I have come and how much I have been able to do… grief remains, and sometimes it is on the forefront. For example, as I am working on a case and reviewing a record suddenly, I am reminded of my son… and my loss… it may take me some time to gain refocus and attention to the task at hand. But I manage to do it and continue.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
I am a professional international genealogist. My small business is Budget Genealogy. Budget Genealogy exists to make genealogical research affordable to anyone interested in knowing their family history.
In my genealogy career, I realized that most genealogy companies that offer professional research are expensive and not affordable to the average person. My main goal is to provide services to all and not just a selected few. I offer discounts regularly and accept payment plans. I focus on each client individually, and there are no cases the same. Each case is customized and unique.
I want readers to know that I am here for them! Not just to provide services of genealogy interest but to walk with them and guide them along their journey in learning their own history. It is a privilege for me to share this adventure with them.
I specialize in United States research and Hispanic/Caribbean/Mexican/Spanish Genealogy. I do research internationally and work closely with others who share specific interests.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is visiting the local library in Union City, New Jersey (where I grew up) and learning history! I remember as my mother napped, I would walk myself up the street two blocks to the library and bring home books to read on her bedroom floor!
Pricing:
- Green Package- $225 ($45/HOUR) 5 hours
- Blue Package- $400 ($40/HOUR) 10 hours
- Silver Package- $700 ($35/HOUR) 20 hours
- Clean Up Package- $300 ($30/HOUR) 10 hours
- Ancestor Family Tree Binder- $2500 ($50/HOUR) 50 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: www.budgetgenealogy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/budgetgenealogy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.Charles.IL.60174
Image Credits
Vince Bachelor
Gabriel Lopez
