Mica L. Anders: Historian, Folks Finder, Household Thriller Solver

Mica L. Anders, proprietor of Anders Genealogical Providers, works as a full-time genealogist for rent. She is on a mission to assist folks discover solutions about their household’s previous. 

“That would imply constructing out a household tree, verifying tales which have been handed down, or discovering particulars about an ancestor’s life which have been forgotten or erased,” Anders stated, explaining what her work entails.

The Minnesota-based genealogist makes use of archival data, census and very important data, newspapers, oral histories, property deeds, and typically DNA to uncover data.  Anders feels that realizing your historical past modifications the way you see your self. 

“It’s about understanding how the alternatives, struggles, and strengths of your ancestors formed who you might be in the present day. Particularly for Black and multiracial households, a lot of that historical past has been erased or hidden. After we reclaim these tales, we don’t simply restore the previous—we restore delight, belonging, and connection,” she additional defined.

Anders’ curiosity in family tree began throughout her childhood. She observed lacking items on her father’s aspect of the household. 

“I had little or no—only a single picture of my grandma and the few tales my dad had shared about rising up in Missouri. As I obtained older, I noticed how widespread that hole was, particularly in Black and mixed-race households,” Anders additionally stated.

Anders formally began Anders Genealogical Providers in 2014. She has additionally accomplished in depth genealogy-specific skilled growth. Nonetheless, the muse was constructed whereas she labored on her MFA in Visible Arts, which she accomplished in 2009. Using artwork grew to become a analysis instrument.

“My thesis centered on creating artwork rooted in family tree. I researched 11 mixed-race households and designed textile-based wall hangings—what I known as ‘heraldic geneagraphs’—that used symbols, material, quilting, and beadwork to visually characterize every household’s story. After that undertaking, the households I had researched began asking me to maintain going. They needed extra. They needed their tales again. That’s once I realized this wasn’t simply artwork—it was therapeutic. It was about reintroducing folks to their ancestors and placing household tales again collectively,” stated Anders.

When she encountered gaps in written data, Anders cleverly used symbolic methods from their completely different cultural heritages to fill these gaps. 

Anders added, “By combining European heraldry, West African textile traditions (adinkra symbols and adire patterns), quilting strategies, and Cherokee beadwork, I might characterize all points of a household’s heritage equally—even when the documentation wasn’t equally obtainable,” Anders acknowledged.

Anders defined that many households had detailed European data however minimal African or Native American documentation. Visible illustration created stability and infrequently prompted members of the family to recollect further tales or particulars they’d not initially shared. 

Anders formally began her distinctive enterprise in 2014, but it surely developed right into a full-time endeavor in 2024. She at the moment provides a variety of providers to organizations and people. 

“For people, I provide each ‘Executed For You’ providers, the place my staff and I analysis every little thing from single ancestors to full household traces. I even have ‘Executed With You’ providers the place I work one-on-one with folks to assist them proceed their very own analysis after they hit roadblocks. Moreover, I train lessons and workshops,” stated Anders. 

She additionally strives to assist folks remedy household mysteries in current instances or about an ancestor who lived 200 years in the past. 

Anders discusses privateness issues along with her shoppers. For instance, 23andMe, an organization that provided DNA genetic testing, lately filed for chapter, leaving customers with issues about their genetic knowledge. Anders encourages her prospects to learn the privateness insurance policies rigorously to make sure that they’re snug with them. 

“However I additionally remind them that typically, DNA is the one solution to remedy sure household mysteries—particularly in circumstances of adoption or household separation. Nonetheless, DNA is only one instrument. For a lot of the work I do, data, newspapers, interviews, and historic archives are way more vital,” stated Anders.

The genealogist additionally creates touring displays. She offers workshops and displays, and conducts large-scale group analysis initiatives, often centered on uncovering misplaced or erased early African American histories inside their communities for historic societies and museums.

“My providers are each digital and in-person, relying on the undertaking. I primarily give attention to African American family tree throughout the US, however I’ve additionally labored with a number of shoppers with Jamaican ancestry. I’ve even labored with shoppers in Canada, the UK, and Argentina,” Anders acknowledged. 

She added, “For me, it’s about greater than data—it’s about restoring legacies, reconnecting folks with the tales and ancestors that formed them.”