Who Is Jacqueli Finley
Jacqueli Finley Forensic Genealogist, Member APG
Jacqueli Finley is a highly respected forensic genealogist and genetic analyst with over 40 years of experience in genealogy research. She's a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and is known for her meticulous work in uncovering complex family histories using both traditional records and DNA analysis.
🧬 What Makes Her Standout
Expert in Genetic Genealogy: She combines DNA test results with historical documentation to resolve long-standing family mysteries.
Specialist in the Lee Family of Virginia: Her depth of knowledge on this lineage is considered unparalleled.
Published Author & Researcher: She has written extensively and maintains genealogy blogs and websites such as Jacqueli Finley's Genealogy Blog and Lees of Virginia.
Custom Research Services: Offers personalized genealogy packages, including estate, military, and Native American ancestry research.
Clients praise her for her ability to uncover connections that others couldn’t find in decades—sometimes in just days. Her work has helped people verify ancestral lines, connect with lost heritage, and even resolve historical family legends.
Jacqueli Finley's work spans decades of deep genealogical research, and she’s especially known for her contributions to the Lees of Virginia lineage. Here are some standout examples of her work:
📚 Published Series: Lees of Virginia – Lost Lineages
This multi-volume series dives into the ancestry of Col. Richard Lee and Anne Constable, tracing their journey from England to Colonial Virginia.
Finley uses DNA confirmations, historical documentation, and archival research to correct long-standing errors in Lee family genealogy.
Her work challenges previous assumptions, especially around Y-DNA haplogroup assignments, which had misidentified male descendants of the Lees.
🧬 Forensic Genealogy Projects
She’s known for solving complex lineage puzzles that others couldn’t crack in decades—sometimes in just days.
Her research has helped families reclaim lost heritage, verify estate claims, and reconnect with ancestral roots across the U.S. and internationally.
🖥️ Online Platforms
Her Genealogy Blog features custom research services, client testimonials, and updates on her latest findings.
The Lees of Virginia website showcases her extensive database of Lee descendants and ancestors, built over 40 years of research.
Her work isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about restoring identity and truth to family histories that have been misrepresented or forgotten.
Jacqueli Finley’s work includes several compelling case studies that showcase her forensic genealogy expertise. Here are a few standout examples:
🧬 1. Robert E. Lee’s Ancestral Lineage
Finley helped a family confirm their connection to Robert E. Lee, not just through traditional documentation but by uncovering genetic evidence that linked European and African ancestral lines. This was a breakthrough for descendants who had relied solely on oral tradition until her research validated their heritage.
🧭 2. The “Lost Lineages” of the Lees of Virginia
In her series Lees of Virginia – Lost Lineages, Finley challenged long-held assumptions about the ancestry of Col. Richard Lee. She disputed a widely accepted 1988 study that claimed Lee was the son of John Leyes and Jane Hancock, arguing that the evidence was flawed. Her research reinstated the connection to the prominent English Lees of Shropshire, using overlooked documentation and DNA analysis.
🧑🤝🧑 3. Native American Ancestry Verification
Finley worked with clients to verify Native American ancestral lines using a combination of DNA testing and historical records. In one case, she confirmed a lineage that had been doubted for generations, giving the family a deeper connection to their roots and cultural identity.
These aren’t just genealogical puzzles, they’re stories of identity, belonging, and truth. Her work often corrects historical inaccuracies and gives families the evidence they need to reclaim their heritage.
Jacqueli Finley’s methodology blends traditional genealogy with advanced genetic analysis, making her approach both rigorous and revelatory. Here's a breakdown of how she tackles her case studies:
🧩 1. DNA Analysis + Historical Documentation
She uses autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mtDNA results to trace lineage and confirm relationships.
Finley cross-references DNA matches with archival records like birth, death, marriage, census, and military documents to build a cohesive narrative.
📜 2. Corrective Genealogy
She’s known for challenging flawed genealogical assumptions, especially in high-profile lineages like the Lees of Virginia.
Her work often involves reconstructing family trees that were previously misidentified due to poor documentation or speculative research.
🧠 3. Forensic Genealogy Techniques
Finley applies forensic-level scrutiny to each case, treating genealogy like a historical investigation.
She uses triangulation of DNA matches, segment analysis, and chromosome mapping to validate connections.
🌐 4. Client Collaboration & Custom Research
Her process is highly personalized. She works closely with clients to understand family lore, then tests it against genetic and historical evidence.
She offers custom genealogy packages tailored to specific goals—whether it’s verifying Native American ancestry, resolving estate claims, or tracing lost relatives.
🧭 5. Ethical Standards
As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), Finley adheres to strict ethical guidelines in handling sensitive data and presenting her findings responsibly.
Her methodology is a fusion of science, history, and detective work—designed not just to trace lineage, but to restore truth to family narratives.
You’ve got some great options to explore Jacqueli Finley’s works, in which she’s built a rich online presence around her genealogy expertise. Here’s where you can dive deeper:
🌐 Official Platforms
Jacqueli Finley's Genealogy Blog: This is her personal hub where she shares insights, client testimonials, and details about her forensic genealogy services. https://jacquelifinley.com/
Lees of Virginia Website: Focused on her extensive research into the Lee family lineage, this site offers custom genealogy packages and showcases her published work. https://leesofvirginia.org/
📘 Publications & Research
You can browse her books and case studies directly through the Lees of Virginia site. Her Lost Lineages series is especially popular among those tracing Colonial Virginia ancestry. https://leesofvirginia.org/books-by-jacqueli-finley
🧠 Professional Credentials
She’s listed on the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), where you’ll find her credentials, ethics statement, and endorsements from fellow genealogists. https://www.apgen.org/users/jacqueli-finley
Whether you're looking to verify your own ancestry or just fascinated by historical detective work, her resources are a goldmine.
